Georgina
Midget B attended the LLFHL CHAMPIONSHIP weekend to play against the other
Division Champions.
Competing
in the Tournament were:
Georgina,
Wilmot, Mississauga, Keene/Otonabee, South Huron.
Game #1 vs
Keene/Otonabee: Georgina
were familiar with KEENE and had played them on two previous occasions. The first time the two teams met was in the
Applefest tournament where Georgina had won 2-1. The second time the teams met was in the
Huntsville Tournament round robin game where Georgina was winning 3-1 and Keene
scored 2 goals in the last 2 minutes of the game to tie it 3-3.
We were cognizant of the fact that this was not going to be an easy game especially missing 2 of our 5 defencemen that were away on a school educational trip. Rotating several forwards through the position of defence Georgina “persevered” and obtained goals from Mariah on the first, Erin in the third, and Natalie B in the 3rd in order to take the game 3-1.
OF NOTE – the other teams tied and this put Georgina in the lead after round #1.
Game #2 vs. Mississauga
Mississauga was an unknown to Georgina. We were aware that they played a low scoring game and came out of their playoffs in a division where Oakville were the regular season leaders. Georgina had played 3 games with the first place Oakville team in tournaments and knew that Mississauga would not be easy. Lauren was outstanding turning away Mississauga’s scoring chances. They often passed to the middle for the 1 timers. It was Mariah that broke through their defence and fired one blocker side to give Georgina the 1-0 lead. Unfortunately for Georgina they lost a player to suspension for motioning to an obnoxious loud mouth Mississauga fan in the stands that got under her skin. The motion came with a 3 game suspension with and additional 2 added by OWHA because of a previous suspension. HAWKS would again be doing a player for the remainder for the tournament and first two of provincials. Lauren collected her 24th shutout of the season.
OF NOTE – After round 2 the Hawks second win gave them 4 points and the clear lead
Game #3 vs South Huron
Georgina were aware this was going to be a hard game. South Huron as a team played an opportunistic offensive game with a strong defensive presence. South Huron played a two goalie rotation who together have 34 shutouts in just over 50 games. That’s team defence. A win by Georgina in this game would put them out of reach of the other teams in the standings and secure them a silver medal and give them a Gold medal appearance. The Hawks did not come out to play and were outshot 10-1 in the first period. Lauren was excellent, however it was a bad bounce on a short handed dump-in that beat her. Georgina did not respond and at the end of the 2nd had only had 2 shots on net. The finally score was 2-0 South Huron and shots against were 26-8. Georgina were not happy with the game but comfortable with their positioning. It was good to get a bad game out of their system for a team that hadn’t lost since January 10th.
Just before the Georgina game the girls watched Mississauga take one last effort to win over Keene or they would be going home. Mississauga was short handed in the offensive zone, goalie pulled 0-0 game, 7 seconds left. They won the draw cleanly and the defensive shot one top corner with 4.2 seconds left. Mississauga win. Ironically that goal will later play a big part of our weekend in a game we weren't even in.
OF NOTE – after the third round Georgina
South Huron 5 pts
Georgina 4 pts
Mississauga 3 points
Keene 2 points
Wilmot 1 point.
Going forward Mississauga would have to beat first place South Huron or Georgina was in the gold game. Georgina was playing the 5th place WILMOT team and win by the HAWKS would have secured their position going for gold regardless of the Mississauga/South Huron game. Either result would be great for the Hawks.
Game 4 vs. Wilmot:
This was an unknown. Georgina were aware that that WILMOT had played a few close games but had not seen them play. It was felt their game would be more offensive then defensive. WILMOT had nothing to lose. They are out of Provincials so this would be their last game. They were playing relaxed and loose. Georgina were now playing tight and with stress.
WILMOT struck first and out to the early lead when Georgina left them unchecked in front of their net. Georgina responded in the second period on a point shot from Maddie. Georgina and WILMOT exchanged chances. Georgina were given a power play for the last 2 minutes but could not capitalize. With 7 seconds remaining WILMOT were given another penalty. 5 on 3 power play for Georgina with 7.7 seconds remaining. The face off just outside WILMOT line and they pulled their goalie. A possession by Georgina and shot on net would have secured a gold medal appearance. Could Georgina on the PP with their net empty grab the same magic Mississauga had early while short handed? Our odds were better... With a time-out we had on our most successful centre, our strong forecheckers, speedy wingers and our 3 hardest shooters. The face off scrambled and the HAWKS did not gain possession. Score remained tied 1-1.
The girls all ran to the other rink to watch SOUTH HURON and MISSISSAUGA finish the last 3 minutes. Oh no.. Mississauga were winning 1-0 and South Huron had a penalty. Mississauga won 1-0. Not good result for the HAWKS as both games went against us and now we were in a 3 way tie.
Georgina 5 points
South Huron 5 points
Mississauga 5 points
Keene 3 points
Wilmot 2 points - Thank you to WILMOT for the case of Gatorade they had remaining when eliminated from the Tournament. It was an appreciated act of kindness to the girls.
DECISION TIME:
Now because it is a 3 way tie how the teams did against each other didn’t count. Tie break rule #2 was most wins. We all had 2. Tie break rule #3 was plus/minus. South Huron plus 3 they advance, Georgina and Mississauga both plus 1. Tie break rule #4 least goals against. Mississauga 2 and Georgina 4. Hard way to lose when we let in 8 all year.
As we know this game is matter of inches, seconds and in this tournament against champions every shift counts. When we didn’t didn’t grab the reigns and control our own fate/circumstances we left it up to chance and other teams to predicted our future. Remember that goal with 4 seconds left short handed by Mississauga... well?
· 1 more goal by us all tournament we would have been gold bound,
· 1 less goal against all tourney we would have been gold bound,
· no goal with 4 seconds by Mississauga on Keene we would have been gold bound,
· beating 5th place team we would have been gold bound.
· A stronger effort in game 3 we would have been gold bound.
Unfortunately, Georgina dropped to Bronze game vs Keene.
BRONZE MEDAL GAME:
What can we say about the Bronze medal game other then emotionally we did not want to be there and Keene had nothing to lose and were playing their final game of the season. For Keene players aging out this was their last game ever. The easy explanation here is Keene were keen on winning and Georgina had a meltdown. Hawks Lose 7-0 giving up almost as many goals in one game as they did in an entire regular season (8). The play was closer then the score suggests. What could go wrong for Georgina did and Keene got a number of bounces.
Great expectations, some fun and exciting moments, a lot of pride and obviously some disappointments. Thats what Championship weekends are all about.
The girls need to refocus for Provincial coming next weekend.
Congratulations to Tournament Medal winners:
1. South Huron GOLD
2. Mississauga SILVER
3. Keene/Otonabee BRONZE