Apr 09, 2024 | Scott Price | 1007 views
U15 IceDogs Bring Home the Silver Medal at OMHA Championships!
Your U15 Rep IceDogs were off to Halton Hills on April 5,6 and 7 to battle other Tier 3 teams in Ontario for the OMHA Championship. After a gut wrenching series loss to their WOAA counterpart Mount Forest, it was redemption time in Halton Hills.
Coming off an exhibition win (8-0) vs Saugeen Shores, the IceDogs had to wait 10 days for more game action. A couple of practices helped keep the IceDogs sharp but they craved some game action and it all kicked off on Friday with a match vs the Stirling Blues.
GAME 1 - vs Stirling Blues
The boys were ready to start this one but it was Stirling scoring on their opening shot early to go up 1-0. Jake F. would quickly get that one back, after some good work by Owen M and Ethan S to get the puck to the net and things stayed tied at 1 after 1. Midway through the 2nd frame, Ethan would bank one in off a defender and the IceDogs took a well deserved 2-1 lead. A powerplay goal by Jesse P (off a pass from Brayden P) would give the IceDogs a 3-1 lead and it looked like the IceDogs were in full-control. A shorthanded goal by Stirling in the dying moments of the 2nd, gave them some life heading into the third.
Things kind of unraveled for the IceDogs early in the third as Stirling would get their own flukey goal and then capitalized on a loose puck in front and suddenly, they were up 4-3. But the IceDogs had prepared for moments just like this. Off a critical face off win by Simon J, Jake F. would snap home a beauty and things were tied at 4. With that goal being announced, Brayden and Owen W. would combine to spring Ethan on a 2 on 1 and Ethan wouldn't miss, putting the IceDogs up with 2 minutes to play. The IceDogs were full-marks for a 5-4 win when they were easily the better team.
GAME 2 - vs Collingwood Jr. Blues
In 2022, most of these IceDogs had finished 2nd in the OMHA Championship, bested by this very same Collingwood squad. Lots of the players and coaches reminisced about that one but before the game, Coach P took a page out of Apollo's book (Rocky III) -- "Remember what they did to you last time". With Super Fan Josh P in attendance, blasting the horn, the IceDogs were ready.
In typical IceDog fashion, they gave up the first goal. But then the tide turned. First, Porter B. tipped home a beauty on a hard shot from the point by Alek F. Porter would collect another one when he and Ethan combined on an odd man rush. The "Cousins" would connect on a PP goal, with Jesse on the receiving end of a lovely set up by Ethan and Brayden. Carter G. ripped home a beauty (again on the PP) for his first of the tournament (it wouldn't be his last), off a great play by Owen W. at the blueline and it was 4-1 after one.
Collingwood seemed to recover from the IceDog onslaught and got one back by Ethan got things back on track finishing off some nice passing by Waylon G and Jake F. The 2nd period ended 5-2 IceDogs.
The third period was all IceDogs. First, Simon J. finished off another great play by Owen W and Brayden P., wiring home his first of the tournament. Ethan would conclude the scoring for the IceDogs to make it 7-3. The IceDogs had exorcised one demon from years past.
GAME 3 - vs Strathroy Rockets
With first place in their pool already wrapped up, the IceDogs were in unfamiliar territory. Predictably, they came out a little flat. Not playing at their usual pace (and battling the sun!) the IceDogs did get on the board first. Ethan gave the IceDogs a 1-0 lead after one, continuing his scorching hot play. He would collect his 6th of the tourney in the 2nd, off another nice feed from Owen M. Strathroy would get on the board in the third but Karden C. would wrap things up for the IceDogs with an empty netter. Simon J. would punctuate the win with a bullet from the top of the circle and the IceDogs would go on to a 4-1 win...3-0 in the round robin and a date with the Mount Forest Rams in the semis.
Semi Final - vs Mount Forest Rams.
This was the game everyone knew was coming. After bowing to Mount Forest in the WOAA Final, the IceDogs knew the road to the Red Hats was through Mount Forest. As a coach (and player!) I have never seen a team more focused before a game. And they proved it early. Ethan S. would pounce early, sniping 2 goals before the game was 2 minutes old. Things settled down offensively after that, but the IceDogs never took a shift off, defending their blue line furiously and the Rams probably didn't get a shot in the first frame.
The IceDogs continued their excellent defensive play in the 2nd and got rewarded on the scoreboard for it. Simon J. would streak down his wing and feed a wide open Brayden P for a tip in goal. It was the back breaker for sure and with a 3-0 lead, the IceDogs headed to the dressing room for the flood.
After a long wait, the IceDogs came out ready to defend their lead and punch their ticket to the OMHA Finals. Carter Grieve would quell any chance for a comeback with a timely goal (off nice work down low by Jesse P and Porter B.) With the net empty, Carter G. had the shift of his season, hemming the Rams in their own zone and banking a shot off Jesse P for a 5-0 win. It was a dominating performance and probably their best to date. Another demon exorcised and a trip to the Final.
OMHA FINAL - vs South Huron Sabres
It was a battle of two hard-skating, hard-checking teams. The difference between the two teams was marginal, with South-Huron being a little more balanced (they had 70 kids tryout for their team.) Despite that, the IceDogs gave the Sabres all they could handle in this one and their coach said we were the toughest team they had faced that season. They had never had a team match them step for step like we did. It was the ultimate compliment in some ways. Still, it was a disappointing finish as the IceDogs fell 3-2 and had to settle for Silver. Some Silver medals you get because you lost the Gold. And some Silver medals you win because you gave it all you had. This fell into the latter as the IceDogs can't say they didn't put up a fight.
It was a season full of ups and downs but the IceDogs peaked at the right time and executed the coach's plan to perfection. Peyton, Aidan, Owen W, Alek, Karden, Waylon, Jesse, Ethan, Simon, Owen M, Brayden, Ian, Carter, Porter and Jake---you played your hearts out and I am very proud to call myself your coach. Hold your heads high and wear that Silver Medal with pride.