South Huron Sabres Tyke Red
Strathroy John Henry 44th annual Tyke select
tournament
Game 1 ~ vs Lucan.
First game of the tournament and with Christmas just over the boys were busy talking about what they got from Santa. Coaches worked hard to focus the boys with the goal of keeping the John Henry Tourney title in Exeter for a second year.
Starting line in the front was center Kallen Grant with Kaelan Horlor and Jack Reid on the wings. On defense was Parker Obre and Brett Gibbings and in goal Tyler Wilkinson.
The boys came out strong, using their stick handling abilities along with heads up passing.
Lucan was struggling leaving their end as Parker Obre, Brett Gibbings, Jax Gingerich, and Reid Barton stood tall on the blue line. Using the boards to dump up to our front wingers while maintaining confidence by passing to each other across the line. The forwards continually put pressure in the offensive end and utilized practice methods of focusing on the net and seeing their teammates out front.
Finn Theophilopoulos, Jasper DeBruyn, and Harrison Geoffrey combined together for 7 points. Jasper using his forward momentum buried three goals alone. Finn and Harrison digging in the corners helped keep the offensive pressure in the Lucan end.
The game was an easy victory for the boys with an 8-1 win.
Game 2 ~ vs Strathroy
This game started off slow with out of position plays and mishandling of the puck.
The boys regrouped with strong goaltending from Tyler Wilkinson to pump them up. Kaelen went to the net strong looking for rebounds successfully burying one while Kallen supported his defense by back checking and taking offensive control. Jack maintained readiness in front of the net and used the right boards in his favour to push the opponent. Parker and Brett held the line even when we thought they couldn't keep it in the zone, they achieved! That line combined to 6 points.
The line of Jasper, Finn, Harrison, Reid, and Jax combined to 7 points.
We won with a 5 - 1 win
Game 3 ~ vs North Middlesex
We went into this game with vengeance. We previously lost to North Middlesex early in the year and wanted to come out flying.
The boys were passing and pushing through the strong offense of NM. They had complete control of the puck and stayed positive through out.
We had fantastic back checking from Finn and Kallen to keep their offense to a minimum. Pressure was added by Kaelen in the corner to push it to the net. Reid held his own at the blue line and recovering the puck in his end with Jax and Parker eliminating any opportunity for NM in front of our net. Tyler clearly seeing the puck as he stopped plenty.
All eleven worked so well together this game it even made the coaches look at each other with awe.
We were victorious. A hard fought well positioned and defensive bunch of boys. 5 - 4 win.
Game 4 ~ vs North Middlesex (FINALS)
"Can we beat them again?"
Coaches went over strategy and plays prior to the game ... the end result was don't change anything!
The start of the game the boys seemed sluggish and tired. Down 3 - 0 the coaches pulling together the bench in between whistles. The straight faced boys were starting to realize what the potential outcome may end up being after working so hard to get to the finals.
We pounced to 3 - 2 with 2 quick goals by Finn with Parker and Harrison with the assists. We were back in it! Kaelen and Kallen added to the tally with 2 hard fought unassisted goals.
With it 4 - 4 Jasper, Harrison and Finn gelled together for a go ahead goal to make it 5 - 4 Sabres.
Tied 5 - 5 - Brett and Parker were strong on the blue line taking away any opportunity that NM could put together. Reid and Jax supported a strong Tyler in goal eliminating any rebounds and capturing control offensively. Jack worked the boards and in front of the net with steady offensive skating. Kaelen covering the ice surface with confidence and moving the puck to a speedy Kallen.
Back and forth in the neutral zone Kallen broke through the defense and scored unassisted. 6 - 5
When NM pulled their goalie, the boys worked as a defensive team to hold the lead and pull off the victory.
"I can breathe now"
Thanks to our offensive / defensive group of forwards - our structured wall of defense and our composed but yet determined goalie we were able to win this tournament and have the Tyke title stay in South Huron!
Congratulations to everyone!
Parents, thanks for taking the time and supporting something pretty cool with your young hockey player. Lots of fun for everyone.
Coach BJ