This past weekend the U11 Red Devils headed to Sarnia to Compete in the International Silver Stick.
The tournament kicked off with the young devils facing a strong London Jr Knights team on Thursday night. After a long drive through miserable conditions and down one player and two coaches due to them being caught in highway road closures the puck dropped at 6pm. Tripp Plumley led the way in this one scoring three goals and taking home player of the game honours in a 5-2 win. Kai Mackie and Jackson Simpson would add singles. Assists went to Reid Haley, Kolton Solmes (3), Wade Robinson, Ryder Bradford and Evan VanEgmond. Deacon Vos picked up the win in net and shared player of the game with Plumley.
Friday the boys started the day with a tough test against the Don Mills Flyers. This was a tight affair with Ethan Dowling scoring the winner unassisted with just under three minutes to play to give the Devils a 2-1 win. VanEgmond notched the other goal from Charlie Dwyer in the second period. Jordan Andrews grabbed the win in net and the player of the game devil fork.
Game 3 went Friday afternoon against the Chicago Reapers. Once again the boys were in a battle from start to finish and ended up with a come from behind 2-2 tie on a late goal by Jayden Stehlik from VanEgmond. Mackie scored the first goal from Robinson and Jared Russell. Vos made some great saves down the stretch to keep the game within reach and giving his team the opportunity to get the tie. Stehlik took home player of the game.
Saturday morning would conclude the round robin portion with a game against Detroit Little Caesars. The boys put up a massive effort against a powerful team but ultimately ended up dropping a tight 2-1 game. Jackson Simpson would score the lone goal assisted by Ryder Bradford. Andrews made several highlight reel glove saves to keep this one within reach. Wade Robinson took home player of the game.
With a 2-1-1 record the Breakaway Boys finished second in their pool and got a quarter final game against the Toronto Junior Canadiens.
This one was faced pace with several chances at both ends. The first period would end scoreless. The second period would end 2-2 with Reid Haley (unassisted) and Stehlik (VanEgmond and Greyson Rennie) providing the offense. The kids would fall behind 3-2 in the third but with the goalie out and on the powerplay Simpson (Robinson, Mackie) would send this one to overtime. After nearly five minutes of intense three on three play the Jr Canadiens would score the game winner and send the Red Devils home.
Although not the outcome that was hoped for the coaching staff was elated with the effort all weekend competing against some of the top teams in North America.
On Deck: The U11 squad gets back to league play next weekend with a home game in Colborne at 1pm Saturday and a road game in Markham on Sunday at 1pm.