Jan 23, 2024 | Rori Urbshott | 654 views
The Little D Center in the Big C world at the International Silver Stick
6 Regional Silver Stick Tournaments with over 50 competitors geographically covering the majority of Ontario with the exception of the Columbus Junior Blue Jackets from the USA these 6 regional Champions met in Forest, Thedford, and Warwick and after preliminary play your U13 Rep Icedogs finished in second place!
Up first we were heading off with the Columbus Blue Jackets, pretty cool to have our own Canada vs USA game. Not sure what to expect, these kids tied up their skates and hit the ice with smiles on their faces. The format in preliminary play was 10-10-15. Having a day off school your Icedogs were ready and up for the challenge, defeating the Blue Jackets 2-1.
Next up was 3:40Pm against the Frontenac Flyers. This game required 3 on 3 sudden death 5 minute overtime to determine a winner and the Flyers snuck one past little Jack T early into OT ending the game at 3-2. Opening ceremonies would follow that game, so we all made the trek to the Forest arena in white out to partake, an amazing experience and the atmosphere was electric. Right after the ceremonies it straight to the Hotel and early curfew as these kiddos had an 8am game Saturday morning. Dresden Jr Kings would be the opponent. This game was another edge of your seat, nail bitter that could have gone either way, unfortunately the Jr Kings would defeat the Icedogs 4-3. Our last game in preliminary play was West Niagara Flying Aces and your Icedogs dug deep and gave it their all knowing that a 2-2 finish would be a minimum to get a sniff at the semifinals. Aces pulled their goalie with 2 minutes remaining in the 3rd and Hunter T slid one over the line in the empty net giving your Icedogs the half point needed to break a 4 way tie for 2nd place. Off to Chucks Roadhouse in Sarnia for a team dinner and a small celebration for clinching a birth in the Semifinals Sunday morning at 9am.
Once again we were playing the West Niagara Flying Aces, seen a similar game from the day before, but this time Icedogs finished 5-2, and just like that we are off to the finals.
Lights dimmed, spot lights on, announcer over the speakers, feels like the big league! Each player called out before taking the ice, lining up on blue line for a pregame ceremony before the face off against the Halliburton Highland Storm. This game started off with chances at both ends, but as the first period went on your Icedogs fell short down 1-0 after 1. 2nd started very much like the first and ironically ended the same as the first, Icedogs now trailing by 2. Ok now for the flood, this is what your Icedogs are waiting for a 10-12 minute rest to have them ready for the 3rd. Icedogs began to tire after having a 4 hour break prior to the finals... and Halliburton took advantage and netted 2 more for the final score of 4-0.
Icedogs take the Finalist banner and trophy home, but as far as these players were concerned they were Champions!! Sure felt like a huge win. They showed great sportsmanship and each kid had a huge smile on their face being the first Icedog team to make it to a final at the International C Silver Stick! Huge Congratulations to Landon S and Calhon U for obtaining their All Star Status during this tournament. Once again this crew all played a roll in each and every game, it was all hands on deck. A family that plays together, Stays together. The kids made new friends during the pin exchange and made all the memories this past weekend. Thank you to the families and extended families that made the drive to Forest to cheer this group on, your support means the world. From hotels and hockey rinks we thank you all.
Up next Icedogs head south west to meet the Kincardine Kinucks B team Saturday January 27, at 6:30pm.