The Harold Sutherland Peewee JR Attack went undefeated in this weekend's 5th annual Early Bird tournament hosted by Owen Sound Minor Hockey. Teams from as far away Dundas, Stoney Creek, Caledonia, and New Castle (Cobourg) battled it out in the first tournament of the season.
Two years ago the Caledonia Thunder rumbled into town and rained down black rubber on the JR Attack in a crushing 10-1 Early Bird tournament trouncing. The first game of this year’s tournament, a rematch with the Thunder, would provide the first real test of the year, and an ideal measuring stick in the team’s progress. The 2005 Harold Sutherland Peewee JR Attack are entering their second year under the leadership of head coach DJ Selkirk.
Game 1 The team arrived ready to play and dominated puck possession for the majority of the game. Good solid heads up hockey, and great puck support had parents and players smiling the entire game. The newest addition to the team, Nate Doran, scored the first goal of the game, and went on to score 6 during the tournament. Welcome to the team Nate! 4-2 Owen Sound. Nate Doran, Markus Granjnar Ptok, Bryce Martin and Cameryn Moore scored.
Game 2 It became apparent during this second game that all three lines are an equal scoring threat, and that every player on the team is going to be doing some scoring this year. Kai Bryja had the shutout. 6-0 Owen Sound. Markus Granjnar Ptok and Kashias Keeshig scored twice. Nate Doran and Bryce Martin added singles.
Game 3 The team just kept on rolling with four in the first and two in the third. The game felt closer than the score with New Castle never quitting, and testing goalie Noah Lundgren more than once. 6-0 Owen Sound. Deja Vu. Nate Doran scored a pair while Kashias Keeshig, Markus Granjnar Ptok, Cohen Garvie, and Bryce Martin added singles. Noah Lundgren with the shutout.
Game 4 Stoney Creek caused havoc last year in the Tri-County league with an aggressive forecheck, beating top ranked Centre Wellington. Not to be taken lightly the Attack came out hard right from the start. With 12 minutes of penalties the game gave the Attack a chance to work on their penalty kill. Warriors capitalized twice on the power play. 5-2 final for Owen Sound. Nate Doran, Kashias Keeshig, Cohen Garvie, Wyatt McNabb, and Ronan Helder scored.
Tournament Finals Did someone eat to many ribs at Rib fest? Sure wasn’t the Caledonia Thunder. They came to play. Owen Sound trailed 1-0 after two periods of play, but never let up. Nate Doran scored the equalizer off of Kaleb Slater’s net drive with just 6:50 left in the game. 14 seconds later Kashias Keeshig powered home a rebound and the game winner. Kaleb Slater scored the insurance goal on a break away with 2:36 left to play. With the Caledonia Thunder goalie pulled, Ronan Helder popped in the empty netter with just 76 seconds left in the game.
The Harold Sutherland JR Attack allowed only 5 goals against the entire tournament, thanks in large part to solid defensive play by Conner Waite, Will Hellyer, Wyatt McNabb and Nate Oniszeczko.
The JR Attack kick off the 2017-18 Tri-County season on the road in Brampton on Saturday, Sept.23 at 2:10pm.