Midget Rep - Midgets Win Bobby Orr Cup!
The DUNNVILLE Midgets traveled to Parry Sound to participate in the 2011 Bobby Orr Hall of Fame Major Midget BB Hockey Tournament, December 2-4. Participating in a 5-team round robin format, and staying at the picturesque KELLERMAN Resort, the boys were anxious to get started.
DUNNVILLE opened the tournament on Friday night against the St. MARYS Rock, a team they had lost to earlier in the year. This time around was different, as DUNNVILLE skated away with an impressive 5-0 win, and it was clearly the best all around game played by the team this season.
On Saturday morning, DUNNVILLE faced a very physical and tough COCHRANE Gold Rush squad, and again prevailed, this time 2-0. Saturday afternoon, DUNNVILLE faced the undefeated hometown squad, PARRY SOUND Shamrocks, and the game was over 5 minutes into it, as DUNNVILLE lost the game 6-1 to a very skilled, fast, aggressive and determined club.
Sunday morning, DUNNVILLE completed the round robin portion of the tournament versus LEFROY with a 6-0 win. The result placed DUNNVILLE second in the round robin, with PARRY SOUND first and ST. MARYS third. Thus, the semi-final would see DUNNVILLE play a very fast ST. MARYS team once again.
Training 1-0 in the third period, the leadership of Chad S. took over, as he tied the game at 1-1 with less than 10 minutes to play. Shortly after that, Chad assisted on the game winner by Gabe B., and Chad proceeded to complete the scoring resulting in a come from behind 3-1 win and a berth in the final against the favored PARRY SOUND club. Goalie Evan W. was his usual solid self, providing the team with the type of goaltending required to win close games. The torch was passed to goalie Brandon W., who was assigned the final and the responsibility of closing the deal.
With only one hour between the semi-final and final, DUNNVILLE remained in their dressing room and devised a game plan that would at least provide an opportunity to defeat a real strong opponent that basically walked through the competition during round robin play. Neutralizing PARRY SOUND’S speed through the neutral zone and shutting down their top scoring line of 7, 14, and 6 through physical play and transitional speed was the plan. However, more than that, each player (all 15), had to be a leader, one follower would not have been good enough. Leaders lead in big games – that was the message from the coaching staff.
From the opening faceoff, this was a different DUNNVILLE team from the one that lost to PARRY SOUND in the round robin. Determined, focused and following the game plan, DUNNVILLE controlled most of the first period, then went ahead late in the period on a goal by Gabe B. PARRY SOUND tied the game in the second period, but DUNNVILLE did not falter and continued to play at a championship level. Tied 1-1 in the third period, and receiving the goaltending from White that DUNNVILLE has enjoyed all year from both its goaltenders, it just seemed to be a matter of time before DUNNVILLE’S work would pay off. That is exactly what happened as Gabe B. notched his second goal of the game on an unbelievable back hand shot short side over the PARRY SOUND goaltender’s shoulder, giving DUNNVILLE the 2-1 lead. With PARRY SOUND now pressing, DUNNVILLE pushed back even harder, and Chad S. and Dan T. scored to seal the deal with a 4-1 win and the second Bobby Orr Cup to return to DUNNVILLE in 2 years (DUNNVILLE Bantams won the Bobby Orr Bantam Cup in 2010).
What a celebration on the ice! Captain Gabe B. received the Bobby Orr Cup from the tournament organizers and also received Player of the Game for his outstanding play. Special thanks to coach Rick Anderson of the DUNNVILLE Bantams for allowing the Midgets to use A/P player Josh P. and to the hosts of the KELLERMAN Resort for allowing us the privilege in using their resort. Not only did the team receive praise from the tournament committee, but also from the Resort as being the only team this year that has treated their Resort and guests with respect and class.
Congratulations DUNNVILLE on the big win both on and off the ice!
