This weekend, the Millbrook Tyke team coached by Josh Gardner participated in the Tyke Hockey Showdown tournament in Peterborough where 32 teams joined up to show their stuff and compete for a full-size model of the Stanley Cup trophy. Knowing the Millbrook squad had won the tournament the previous year, our team felt the pressure.
Photo: Supplied
The Millbrook Tyke team had a blast at the Peterborough Tyke Hockey Showdown on the weekend.
Playing in their second game of the tournament after an initial 3-2 win against the Ennismore Eagles, the Millbrook squad seemed remarkably calm, as if this was just another game. But it wasn’t- they were playing in the Memorial Centre, home of the Petes, and they were facing a home squad called the Peterborough Warriors! With 18 players four of which are only six years old, the Millbrook team had gone for the first half of the season without a victory, but the tide was beginning to turn….
Four minutes into this game, with Millbrook forcing the action, our pink defense fed the puck to a breaking forward to earn Millbrook’s first goal. The action shifted back and forth with each goalie making great stops, and in time, Millbrook scored again. Right from the next face off, Millbrook roared up ice to score their third goal. The team just kept skating and shooting: result? Goal number 4.
Period number 2 started with good passing and several good scoring chances. Each shift was followed by some good coaching and encouraging words on the Millbrook bench. The Millbrook Stars were tenacious in the Peterborough end, resulting in goals 5 and 6, then a quick break away led to goal #7. A costly turnover at our blue line led to the first Warrior goal, but the score remained lopsided at 8 to 1. The opponents’ goal seemed to motivate the Millbrook players, who turned the tables and quickly scored their ninth goal. The game seemed to settle down after that, and the play became more balanced with scoring chances at both ends of the ice.
In the third period, Millbrook started fast with a tenth goal. It seemed like Millbrook was always winning the race for the puck, with strong skating, resulting in another goal- 11 to 1. Millbrook then won the draw and banged home another goal and the final tally was 12 to 1 for Millbrook. Coach Gardner said “The players came ready to play and skated strong, earning the victory.”
Sunday’s game proved to be a more difficult challenge as they faced an undefeated Aurora team. This opponent had a powerful defender in net, and the home team fell on Sunday with a 6 – 0 loss. After a valiant effort, team members picked up their miniature Stanley Cup trophies, and were satisfied with a strong team effort over the three day event. CG
