Jan 13, 2016 | colson | 944 views
Walter Gretzky Tournament
The Wasaga Stars packed their bags and rolled into Brantford to compete with 15 other teams from around the OMHA in the 18th Annual Walter Gretzky Tournament.
The Stars opened the series with a dominant performance, blitzing the Lorne Park Ojibwa with speed and aggressive forechecking. It took only 40 seconds for Dalton Risk (2G, 1A) to open the scoring, followed shortly thereafter by the ever-dangerous Joey Monahan (1G, 1A) and nascent scorer Jacob Curtis (2G, 1A). Wasaga held the puck in the offensive zone for most of the game, in large part due to superb passing that nearly brought Coach MacNicol to tears. Blueliner Nathan Olson (1G) dazzled the Lorne Park defense with a spin-o-rama move and followed up with a wraparound to score, and rookie Morgan Payne (1G, 1A) brought the crowd to their feet as she pounced on a rebound to light the lamp for her first ever career goal. Also drawing assists in this passing clinic were Hudson Alward (1A), Devon Jessup (3A), Jack LeBlond (1A) and Zaida MacDonald (1A). Final score: 7-2 in favour of the Stars.
Wasaga had only a few hours to rest before game two, but showed little fatigue in a fast-paced and intense matchup versus the Barrie Golden Colts. Barrie opened the scoring early in the first, but the Stars charged right back and tied it up mere seconds later off the red-hot stick of Dalton Risk (1G). Wasaga then took the lead when Joey Monahan (2G, 1A) roared up the left wing and unleashed a laser to the top shelf. The give-and-take continued as the teams traded goals, with scoring provided by Jacob Curtis (1G, 1A) on an impressive solo effort and another marker from Monahan. Defenses clamped down on the scoring as the game progressed but not before the Colts regained the lead, eventually outlasting the Stars to a final score of 7-4. Not recorded on the scoresheet was the inspired play of fired-up defensman Gabe Ryan, who made several impressive offensive rushes in probably his best game this season.
The stakes were high as the Stars entered game three against the St. Catherines Red Wings, with the teams tied in tournament standings and the winner moving on to playoff round. The crowd was loud and the atmosphere tense as the teams traded chances but not goals in a scoreless first period. Three minutes into the second period, Mia MacNicol took the pass from Braedyn Gallant (1A) and stickhandled her way out of her own end, then lit the burners to blow past Red Wing defenders and picked the corner to end the scoring drought and electrify the delirious Wasaga bench. The Red Wings tied it up late in the second and continued to push hard, but were frustrated by a superb display of goaltending by Revan Van Willigen, who stopped several breakaways and flashed the leather to stone a shooter on what looked like a sure goal. With 7 minutes left in the game, wingers Jack LeBlond (1A) and Hudson Alward (2A) stormed the St. Catherines net, sending a loose puck to center Jacob Curtis (1G) who buried the biscuit in the top corner to restore the lead. As time ticked down and the Stars only moments away from a playoff berth, the Red Wings pulled their goalie for the extra attacker and tied the game with only 26 seconds remaining. With the game over and the teams with an even record, the playoff decision came down to tournament scoring totals and the Wings edged out the Stars by the thinnest of margins. It was a tough pill to swallow for a team that had played so well.
Despite the heartbreaking early exit, the Stars played their best hockey of the season and had a great time at a superb tournament. Of course, Walter Gretzky`s presence and dedication at the event was a highlight for all. Away from the rink, Ava Alward cleaned up at the poker table, Brighty Risk danced exquisitely, and Tom LeBlond finally overcame his writer`s block and finished his poem. Thank you to everyone for an excellent weekend!