Sault
Major’s Bantam AA team, Sports Gold Rush, made it into the semis after
finishing fourth in their Division with a 1-2-1 record. They played some good hockey throughout the
round robin, but couldn’t seem to capitalize on offensive opportunities while
also facing some strong goaltending on Friday and Saturday. Nonetheless, the Rush made it into the semis
and had an opportunity like any other team, to take home Gold on Sunday.
It was a low scoring affair in the semis between the Rush and the Scarborough Young Bruins. Stellar goaltending at both ends left the score tied 0-0 at the end of regulation. Off to overtime we go! The Rush battled hard and in the second OT period while playing 3on3, Tristan O’Flynn put a backhand shot past the Bruins goaltender to get the Rush into the Gold medal game.
The Gold medal game was no different than the semi-finals – a fast paced hockey game, fun to watch for all. It was also a re-match of the Gold medal game played in the “Boo in the Soo” Tournament earlier this season, the Soo Jr. Lakers vs. Sports Gold Rush, a game that saw the Lakers beat the Rush in a shootout.
The Rush took a 2-0 lead headed into the third period. The Lakers stormed back late in the third period to tie the game 2-2. With 50 seconds on the clock and the face-off in Laker territory, the Rush used their timeout. Sustained pressure in the offensive zone saw a puck squirt to the point and a shot from Dante Campagna on net that squeezed through the Laker’s goalie. Pouncing on the loose puck, Mark Keenan buried it into the back of the net with 2 seconds on the clock, and the Rush took home Gold with a 3-2 win in regulation time!
Congratulations to all the players on a job well done!