With the end of the year
just around the corner, the Novice Rep Predators headed across the border to
battle at a tournament in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The weekend would prove to
provide a lot of great memories from on and off the ice.
The first game of the tournament would see the Preds take on another Canadian team from Brantford. This game would provide the first of many memories for the weekend, as this game would be played on an outdoor rink and would see the Predators team dominate from start to finish, and come away with a 6 – 1 victory.
Game 2 would see the Predators take on a very strong team from Burlington. With a 7am puck drop time, it would prove to be a little too early for the Preds who just couldn’t seem to get their legs going and they would fall to Burlington 8 – 1.
An afternoon trip to the local bowling alley for some laughs gave the kids a chance to regroup before a game 3 match up against the Flint Icelanders.
This game would see a re-energized team come out strong and eager to prove that what happened in their morning game wouldn’t happen again. These Preds would out hustle and out work their opponents all game and skate to a convincing 7 – 1 victory. With this BIG WIN the Preds would get the chance they wanted – a rematch against the Burlington team in the “A” Final and a chance to prove to them what they are really made of.
Saturday night would give everyone a chance to relax, sit back and enjoy a little pizza party and an evening swim (with a few laughs) in the pool.
After a good night’s rest, the Predators were ready to get to get back on the ice for their rematch and a chance to play for the “A” Championship. The game would start and it didn’t take long to notice that the kids where here to play. The team was determined to prove that they would not let themselves be pushed around, or intimidated by the much bigger Burlington team. The Preds would continue to compete and battle all game long, never backing down. This game would be played at such a pace, never before seen to this coaching staff, or group of parents. The Preds would give up the first goal of the game but that would not stop them. They would answer back with a pair of their own to take the lead. Burlington would score midway through the second period to tie the game and this would make for an exciting third period. The third period would see the Preds continue to push the pace of the game right from the start but it would also see them start to slow and tire out do to the continuous pounding they had taken throughout the tournament. The game would see Burlington score two late goals and go on to win the championship game, but none of the Predator players would hang their heads because they all knew that they had given it their all and proved so much to everyone that had the opportunity to watch this game.
The coaching staff would like to commend this group of kids on all their hard work, team play but most of all their professionalism and respect on and off the ice throughout the weekend. You are truly a great group of kids and it was a exciting weekend, with lots of great memories.
GO PREDS GO!