Jan 17, 2015 | lharse | 388 views
Oilers Enjoy North American Silverstick Experience
The Atom Rep Oilers competed in the North American Silverstick Championship Tournament in Sarnia On Jan 16 and 17th. Although no wins were recorded in their three games facing off against 'A' teams, the kids enjoyed the Silverstick experience and playing top notch Canadian and American Teams.
In Game one, The Oilers Squared off against the Essex Ravens who were bolstered by three AAA returnee players this year and fought hard for every inch of the ice but two powerplay goals and a flukey tip in off a defensemen sunk the the Oilers by a 4-2 score. Scoring for the Oilers was Andrew Jaques assisted by Zach Wilson. The Second goal was scored by Noel Sanderson assisted by Wilson and Jace McGrail. Noah Bright stood tall in one of his best and most active games of the season.
In Game two the Oilers faced a tough Oakville Rangers Team. The Oilkers had a pre game pep talk from Sting Coach and former NHLer Trevor Letowski and the kids came out fired up and scored the first goal of the game and were carrying the play. Andrew Jaques scored from Stan the Man MacDonald and the Oilers led 1-0 for a short time. The Rangers answered back shortly after and poured in 4 more goals to chase starter Kento Gudz from the net. The things Coach Letowski encouraged the kids to do; move feet, play with heart, get pucks deep and use your teammates to move the puck....stopped happening and the remainder of the game was a struggle to mount any sort of pressure or momentum. The Oilers stayed out of the box only taking 4 minutes to the Rangers 12minutes but still it was a struggle. The final score was 10-3 for Oakville. Brady Melton scored the Oiler second goal on a nice wrister just under the bar. Jaques from MacDonald connected for the third and final Oiler goal.
The third and final game was played against the Montgomery Blue Devils who flew in from Washington DC area and were a fast and chippy bunch as their team moniker would suggest. The Oilers fell behind 4-0 early and again seemed to lack a spark until coach Hull employed the ole tried and true dump and chase method and it resulted in three goals and brough the Oilers back from the dead and we had life again. In the third, penalties took its toll again when 6minutes of penalties in the final 10 minutes made any equalizer difficult....and as a result gave up another powerplay goal to make the final score 5-3 for the Blue Devils. Scoring for the Oilers were Zach Wilson with two and Reid King with 1. Assists went to Jaques (2), William Hull, Jace McGrail, Brady Melton and AP call up Logan Crummy. Kento Gudz went the distance in the Oilers cage.
While the tournament ended with no wins, the boys had a chance they may never get again to reporesent their team and town at a North American Silverstick Championship. Even Brady Melton got a new momento with his Dad's favourite #17 on it. A great Team breakfast at Nick's was a good team event on Friday which was made more special by guest appearance of Pond Hockey superstar JIMMY BRIGHT signing autographs. The Pin trading was fierce at Clearwater arena and many kids wheeled and dealed their pins with kids across North America.
A Special thanks to Town of Petrolia, PMHA, County of Lambton, MP Pat Davidson, and Enniskillen Township for donating pins for the kids to exchange.
Thanks to Reed Dougie Douglas and Logan Crummy for filling in for us this weekend. A big Get Better Soon to Noah Harse who was under the weather and was missed on D.
On a side note, we will be passing the hat to purchase coach Ryan a new Alarm Clock, Parent Rep Dean a program with his son's proper number, Jimmy Bright a new helmet for his swelling head, a new set of gear for the kids who forget shinpads and mouthguards, a new name tag for MUffin the waitress at Nick's and a set of hooked on phonics for the two kids who spelled their names wrong on the Silverstick sign in sheet.......if we don't have laughter what do we have?
Go Oilers....PLAYOFF TIME in T minus 3hrs.