The Kunkel Bus Lines Bantam AE’s may not be challenging for an OMHA title this year but the boys have proven once again that a team’s success is not always measured in the win column.
The team commenced it’s OMHA title bid at home against the Caledon Hawks. The Bears that won the Muskoka tournament appeared to be in hibernation as the Hawks swooped in and devoured us like so many mice scoring early and often hammering Owen Sound by a score of 11 to 0.
The rematch took place in Caledon on Saturday. A slight game plan change was in order and
the players were prepped during the previous practice. The game started poorly with two quick goals
by Caledon and it was 2 0 a minute and a half in! Here we go again thought the parents another
blowout. The team, on the other hand, decided
to push back with everything they had.
Push back they did, scoring 3 unanswered goals to take a 3 2 lead by the
end of the first period with goals from Dustin Lantz, Liam McManaman and AJ
Kosempel, with assists from Andrew Spitzig, Jake Richardson and Bryden Thalen. Caledon even took a time out during the
period to settle their players down and to regroup being outplayed badly. The boys continued to battle hard, play
physical and work as a team but were unable to score again. Although the game ended 8 to 3 the team left
the ice dripping with sweat, battered and bruised, albeit not as badly as
Caledon, with heads held high, proud of their effort. Given 2 more rematches at this rate we would
beat that team.
Having ridden the bus with the boys it was clear that there
were indeed many characters on the team;-)
It has been written that sport does not develop character it reveals it. The character of this team was on full
display during that game. Well done boys.