Congratulations to the Aylmer Novice LL1 team for winning the Riverside Minor Hockey Local League Tournament on Family Day weekend. Also congratulation to the Aylmer Bantam team on their win at the Riverside Tournament as well. It was a great showing for the two Aylmer teams.
The Aylmer Novice LL1 team headed to Windsor with high hopes and great anticipation. This is the second year for some of the players who lost in the semi-finals in a shoot out last year. The tournament featured 12 teams in the Novice division.
Aylmer cruised through their three round robin games badly outscoring their opponents. First up was the London Bandits 21 with Aylmer coming out with an 11-1 win. Aylmer goals were scored by Colin Holmes (6), Gavin Russell (2), Cam Vermeer (2) and Carter Deutsch with 1. Assists went to Gavin Russell with 4, Carter Deutsch (3), Thomas Dance (2), Kenz Steele (1), Mathew Worrell and Braylon Jacques. MVP honours went to Cam Vermeer.
Aylmer's second round robin game was against Riverside Grey. Aylmer struck hard again winning 10-2. Aylmer goals scored by Thomas Dance (3), Colin Holmes (3), Carter Deutsch (2), Gavin Russell and Matt Worrell. Assists by Matt Worrell (2), Gavin Russell, Braylon Jacques, Kenz Steele, Thomas Dance and Colin Holmes. Noah Sleegers picked up the well earned shutout. MVP honours went to Gavin Russell.
Round robin game 3 was much of the same with Aylmer walking away with a 8-0 win over Mount Brydges Red. Goals by Gavin Russell (4), Colin Holmes (2), Thom Dance and Kenz Steele. Assists went to Carter Deutsch (2), Thom Dance (2) and Colin Holmes. MVP honours went to Kenz "Steelsey" Steele.
A perfect record put Aylmer into the semi finals against a much tougher opponent in Mount Brydges Blue. Aylmer would need all it could muster to get past the semi's along with some huge saves by Noah Sleegers. The Aylmer team was able muscle out win in a very back and forth game taking the game 5-4. Goals were scored by Gavin Russell (3), Thom Dance and Colin Holmes. Assists by Matt Worrell (2) and Colin Holmes (2).
Aylmer would face an eager Mount Brydges White team in the finals. A team that we faced previously and they came ready to play. The game was close throughout with Mount Brydges scoring less than 1 minute into the game. It took Aylmer until the second period to tie the game with a goal by Gavin Russell assisted by Ty Vis. Aylmer would pull ahead with 27 seconds left in the second period on an unassisted goal by Colin Holmes. The game continued to be tight until the very end with both goalies making huge saves to keep their teams in the game. The game would stay 2-1 until Thomas Dance was able to fire the puck into the empty Mount Brydges net with 11 seconds remaining to ice the game. Aylmer would take the game 3-1 and win the Riverside Championship. Matt Worrell was named Aylmer's game MVP.
It was a great tournament with contributions from every player. As with most overnight tournaments the kids all appeared to have a great time playing mini-stick and swimming together. Some of the parents got to have a little fun as well and a lot of world problems were solved. Tournament tip#1- put your suitcases in garbage bags so they don't get wet if there is a leak in the hotel room.
Thanks to everyone for making the tournament a lot of fun and congratulations to the players on a great tournament!!