The U10AA Jr Greyhounds had an exciting end to their
2021-2022 season.
Prior to the January COVID lockdown, the Jr Hounds
participated in the Silver Stick Regional Tournament in Sudbury in hopes of
qualifying for the International Silver Stick Tournament in Newmarket, Ontario.
The early December qualifying tournament saw the team put forth a strong effort through the round robin with wins over the Upper Ottawa Aces (6-1), Nickel City Jr Sons (6-0), Sudbury Timberwolves (13-0) and Copper Cliff Reds (11-0). The Jr Hounds continued their strong play into the post round robin games of the tournament with a 7-0 win over the Timmins Northstars in the semi-finals. The Finals of the tournament was a highly contested game against the North Bay Trappers. The Jr Hounds came out firing, opening up a 3-goal lead in the second period. North Bay fought back in the third period and tied the game with a penalty shot with 5 seconds to play. With 25 seconds to play in the first period of overtime, the Jr Hounds scored the game winning goal, securing their spot in the Newmarket International Silver Stick Tournament.
The day after the tournament, all games in Northern Ontario were put on hold due to increased COVID cases. Practices continued for the Jr Hound team in preparation for the Newmarket International Silver Stick Tournament, which was initially planned for the first weekend in January. Unfortunately, at the end of December, the whole Province of Ontario went into lockdown again and the Newmarket Silver Stick Tournament was postponed until March.
By February, the boys were back on the ice and preparation resumed for the end of the season. The Jr Hounds played 10 games throughout February with some tough losses against the U11AA Jr Greyhound team and some strong performances against Nickel City, Copper Cliff and the U13 SFHA Jr Greyhounds.
March started with the playoffs for the Nickel District Minor Hockey League. Unfortunately, prior to the playoffs both the Jr Hound goalies had to isolate due to COVID. With an emergency goalie from Sudbury, the Jr Hounds put together strong efforts through the round robin of playoffs with wins over the North Bay Trappers (11-4), Temiskaming Shores Puckhounds (5-0), and Nickel City Jr Sons (11-0). One of the team’s goalies was out of isolation for the finals, providing a boost for the boys. The Jr Hounds fought through the Finals staying in the game right to the end, however the group was not able to come out the victors, ending up on the wrong side of 6-3 game against the North Bay Trappers.
The following weekend, the team headed to Newmarket, Ontario to participate in the International Silver Stick Finals. The boys responded well after a tough loss the previous weekend by finishing off the season with wins over the Scarborough Ice Raiders (11-1), Humber Valley Sharks (5-0), Newmarket Renegades (8-1), Aurora Tigers (7-0), Gloucester Rangers Green (5-0 semi-finals), and North Bay Trappers (6-1 finals), earning themselves the title of U10AA Silver Stick Champions.
The boys and staff want to thank parents, sponsors, and fans, for the support this season. Wishing everyone a great off season! See everyone in the fall!
Sincerely, U10AA Soo Jr Greyhound Team