Nov 27, 2017 | JJewkes | 1088 views
2017/18 Wasaga Beach Regional Champions
"Champions are not the ones who always win races - champions are the ones who get out there and try. And try harder the next time. And even harder the next time. 'Champion' is a state of mind. They are devoted. They compete to best themselves as much if not more than they compete to best others. Champions are not just athletes."- Simon SinekRead"The vision of a champion is bent over, drenched in sweat, at the point of exhaustion, when nobody else is looking."- Mia Hamm
The 2017/18 Wasaga Beach Regional Silver Stick tournament started on November 25th. The Brokerlink Atom Rep team would have a late start to the tournament and not see their first ice time until 3 pm against the Oro Thunder.
Our boys would come flying out of the gates and handily take down the Thunder 3-1 in the opener.
The second game would be later that night at 7pm against the Penetang Flames again our Express train was rolling right along and defeated the Flames 4-2. With only two games to play before deciding the semis, as there are two three team divisions with only the top two teams moving on.
The semis would have our Express running into the home team Wasaga Beach Stars. Watching them earlier in the tournament play our rivals Ayr Flames we knew that the Stars were a decent team with a few good skaters and a few big shots. The boys were up to the task and eliminated any possibility of the Stars having a chance with a super aggressive fore check and a excellent defensive back check. The Express finally have bought into Coach Bill's system. Having seen how effective it could be last year the boys now have seen it in action and are using it to great success. Having the system lead us to a dominating 3-0 win and a birth into the regional finals at 4:30 Sunday afternoon.
The final match had us right where we thought we should be and against the team that we thought would make it there also. Ingersoll Express vs. Ayr Flames with a 1-1-1 record against each other this game was set to be a barn burner from the get go. Just as fast as the game began our Express would impose their will on the Ayr Flames. If not for the outstanding goal tending from the Ayr team this game could have looked a lot worse. Our Express boys controlled the puck in both ends of the rink. Finally finding a hole in the Ayr goal and putting 2 up on the score board. The Express showed their control in the paint and our man in charge between the posts would put up a second goose egg for the tournament. Leading the way to the Silver Stick Regional Championship and back to back for our Coach and a couple of the players.
Thank you to all our great Atom Rep players and Coaching staff for a fantastic tournament for us parents to watch.
Also thank you to the Ayr Flames knowing that we will see each other many more times this year we look forward to a great season.
When my body gets tired, my mind says "This is where winners are made" When my mind gets tired, my heart says "This is where champions are made"- Baylor Barbee