Dec 12, 2016 | Steve Fogarty | 352 views
Guelph Winter CLASSic
For the second time in three weeks, the Peewee B Mustangs ditched Lower Lakes to hit the road for tournament play. After coming back with a silver medal in the Stratford Festival Challenge, the girls had big expectations as they took to the ice in the Guelph Winter CLASSic.
Game #1 - Brampton Canadettes
This was the second meeting of the year with Brampton and it followed a similar pattern. The Stampede was riding wild as the Mustangs cranked up the shots and controlled the pace of the game. It took until the second period for the scoreboard to light up as Chaser buried her first of the weekend to give the Stangs the lead. Much like the first go around, the flurry of shots did not result in goals as the Canadettes tender held tough. The insurance marker finally came off Mo's twig to make it 2-0, the eventual final score. Game MVP went to Ella Z who continued her strong play on the blue line and along the wall as she has done all season.
Game #2 - Mt Brydges Cougars
Another familiar opponent was lined up for the Stangs in the second game as the Cougars were looking for some pay back from their loss in the first meeting between the two teams in Stratford. Grand River came out from the drop of the puck determined to leave no doubt how this was game was going to go. Midway through the opening frame it was time for Mo to do what Mo does, score goals and give the Mustangs the early lead. The 1-0 lead was still in place when Ferg joined the party scoring in the second to up the lead to 2-0. The Cougars were not going to roll over and came out hard in the third scoring early to cut the lead to 2-1. The quick goal was the kick in the pants the girls needed, or should I say My needed as she scored twice in the final period to put the score up to 4-1 Mustangs and put the game away. My picked up player of the game for her efforts and the Mustangs had two wins on the opening day of play.
Game #3 - Ayr Rockets
The early game Saturday was for first place in Pool B against a familiar Lower League team in the Ayr Rockets. Even though the game was slow to start, it was pure speed once the puck dropped. It was a beauty to watch but that's a benefit for the fans, the girls had work to do. As they have done all weekend, the Mustangs played their best hockey of the year. After a scoreless first, Erika sailed a long range dump in that found the back of the net giving Stangs the early lead. Erika's goal may have not been highlight reel worthy, but the next two Mustangs goals were. Three minutes later the "My Line" worked the puck low into Ayr's end and executed a beautiful triangle passing play from Chaser to My out to Burnzie in front, which was buried upstairs for a 2-0 lead. The final goal of the game came courtesy of Madi with five minutes to go in the game. Picking up the puck at centre and flying down the left wall, Mad Dog powered through the Ayr defender and drove the net burying it and putting the game away. Madi picked up the MVP and the Mustangs picked up the #1 seed heading into the quarter finals.
Game #4 - Ancaster Avalanche
To this point of the tournament Grand River has been playing their best, most consistent hockey of the season. This game would display a whole lot more of what the girls are made up of. Burnzie opened up the scoring with a quick goal three minutes in to the give the Mustangs an early 1-0 lead in the quarter final playoff game. As the prior games have been examples of fast paced hockey, this game broke down into something from the 1970's. Grand River continued to play their skilled hockey with physicality and discipline. With the benefit of "not taking any penalties", Ancaster scored the next two goals of the game to earn the win eliminating the Mustangs. Player of the game honors went to Sarah, Z, Lilly, Big Country, Ferg, AJ, Erika, Mo, Mackie, Hartzy, Mad Dog, KP, Burnzie, My and Chaser.
This weekend the girls raised the bar of what they are capable of doing, showcasing their skill level on the ice and pure class off the ice. As much as it stings to lose in this fashion, the girls walked out of the arena as a team with each and everyone with their head high, as they most certainly should. As a coach it was a proud moment indeed to see the discipline and maturity of these young ladies.