After the long drive to Ottawa, we didn’t know how the kids would respond. Sometimes they are tired out and have a slow start, and sometimes they are so excited, they burst out of the gate ready to play. I’m happy to report that not only were the Bantam stars ready to play, but they dominated. En-route to a 5-0 shutout for Charlie McEldon, we had 2 shorthanded goals (one from the point by Gil Hunter and an absolutely beautiful end to end rush by Taryn Madill). Corbyn MacDonald added 2 and Brock Shorting-Smith batted a pass out of the air from Jacob Campell as well. Great Start kids, now a goodnight sleep and up early for an 8am game.
The following morning the team was a little slow out of the gate. The opposition was the first to score, but Millbrook didn’t let that dampen their spirits and shortly after we tied it up with a goal by Cole Simpson. Millbrook then lit it up with 3 unanswered goals, 2 goals in the second, one each by Corbyn and Jacob and one in the third by Cameron Grant. Charlie made some fantastic saves and the kids got their 2nd win 4-1. On to game three.
After the game it was time for some fun and a little break. The whole team had a fantastic time at the Sen’s game Saturday afternoon, for some kids and parents it was their 1st NHL game, what a great way to experience it with their hockey family.
Parents and kids were very anxious for our 7pm game on Saturday, and it turned out to be one of the most exciting games of the season so far. It went back and forth all game, with both teams having numerous chances to score and both goalies standing on their head to keep their team in the game. With 4 minutes to go Millbrook got a 4 min penalty giving Temiskaming a power play for the rest of the game. Twenty seconds later we got another penalty and the parents felt their hearts sink. How could we score with 2 men down? Could we keep the opponent away from our net? Three seconds after our first penalty expired we got another. For most of the last 4 minutes of the game our kids fought off a 5 on 3 power play and the game ended in a 0-0 tie, putting us tied us for top of our division. Despite only letting one goal in all tourney, we ended up in 2nd place, putting us in the top wild card spot in the quarter finals.
Nine seconds into the game against the Lakeshore Lions, Millbrook opened up the scoring with a beauty from Corbyn, and after the Lions tied it up a few minutes later, Millbrook controlled the game, on a mission to make it to the Semi-finals. Also scoring for Millbrook were Ben Westlake, Keegan Brown and Jacob Campbell on their way to a 5-1 win.
We learned that we would be playing Durham Crusaders Blue in the Semi’s; the first place team in the A group of our local league while we sat 2nd in the B group, but Millbrook was up for the challenge. The teams were tied 1-1 after one period, and the Stars kept them to 2-1 after two. You could see the Durham team’s frustration, and our kids did their best to stay in the game with some amazing effort by all players. Despite losing in the Semis, our Millbrook Stars were definitely winners in our eyes this weekend. We placed third out of 16 teams and the coaches and parents could not be more proud of all our players.
Tournament MVP’s were Charlie, Cameron, Corbyn, Jacob and Taryn, but the way the kids played this weekend they were all MVP’s. I have never been more proud of a group of kids that were not my own than I was of this team this weekend. Congratulations BEA Bantam LL Stars on a fantastic tournament!!!
By Marianne Greber
