When the Phi Dental Care, Soo Jr Greyhounds were invited to
play at the Silver Sticks International tournament in the Atom Major AAA
division, the coaching staff felt it would be a great opportunity to gauge the
teams progress and to see how they can compete at the next level. The boys put
a lot of work into learning the game this year and the coaches could not have been
more proud of the team’s overall performance.
Going into the weekend tournament the boys had a lot nerves because to them, they felt that they were only an AA team playing up in the AAA division. In game one, the Jr Hounds played a team from Colorado, Krivo School of Hockey (Ranked 48th USA). After the first period, the nervous energy turned positive and the hounds speed was unmatched and with the time and space that opened up on the ice, the boys capitalize and skated away with an 8-2 victory giving them their first win of the tournament.
Game 2 saw Orillia North Central Predators, ranked 32 in Ontario. This game was an overall even affair but the boys learned a very valuable lesson, at this level, if you make a mistake, they will take advantage. The turning point in this game was 3 little breakdowns that the Predators took advantage of and they gave the Jr Hounds their first loss of the tournament 4-1. Even with the loss, the boys saw that they can compete and skate with these teams.
Saturday morning was an early one, up at 4:45 am to battle against Detroit Bell Tire ranked 5th in Michigan. Both teams had identical jerseys and with the hounds being the home team, they wore the warrior red in this red and white affair. Bell Tire played a wait and attack game which was in the hounds favour with their fast pace, quick entry style. It was a close game but the crisp passing, overall speed and team play made the difference and an empty net goal in the last minute sealed the deal with a 3-1 win to pull into second place in their division.
Game 4, the most important game of the tournament verses the Barrie Colts was slated next. It was a win and you’re in game for the Jr hounds, which were tied with Barrie Colts for second place in the standings. Barrie who was ranked 19th in Ontario, entered the game with a 1-0-2 record. Even with a tie, Barrie would advance to the semifinals because of the GF%. This was a fast pace game but with the each game the Phi Dental Jr Greyhounds played, the more confident they became at this level. Barrie was first to score, and this was the turning point as a team. Throughout the season, the Jr Hounds would deflate after getting scored on first in tight games but this time, they turned it up a notch and the heart and will to compete by everyone gave them the strength and that extra drive not to give up. It didn’t take the hounds long to bring the game back to even terms and after an exciting last minute, the Jr hounds pulled out the victory advancing to the semifinals with a 3-2 win.
The Phi Dental Care Soo Jr Greyhounds defied the odds and made it to Semi Final Sunday with a 3-1-0 record in the round robin and had the most goals for in the AAA division. They would face the home town 22nd ranked team in Ontario, the Lambton Jr Sting. This would be the biggest team the hounds would face this tournament but that would not change the way they played. It was a hard fought battle and the games 4 goals would be all score in the first half of the first period before the Jr hounds could find their legs. It was a great effort but the Jr hounds could not find the net for the rest of the game to even up the score and would end the tournament with a 3-1 loss in the Semi Final of the Silver Stick International AAA tournament.
The boys learned a lot this weekend about themselves and the team. The coaches are extremely proud of the effort and heart the boys played with and are excited for the second half of the season.