Georgina Golden
Hawks Midget B attended the Provincial Championships held in Mississauga this
past weekend. Their Midget B level of
play had 24 qualifying teams compete for the title of Provincial Champion. There are a number of LLFHL teams and a load of teams from the WEST, the NORTH and the EAST that are unknowns. You watch games wondering if they are a team in your division, thinking how do we measure up? Will we have to play them? How are known teams doing against each other.
From the
moment you walk into the arena there was a noticeable excitement level. The tournament has been awesome every year we go. It is an amusement park of emotions, what a blast!
The season was coming to the end, vendors are selling their wears and the girls are given aqua coloured Provincial Championship Ball caps and there was a constant murmur of who is playing who, what happened in games, where teams are seeded.
The HAWKS Central Division (Regular Season) opponents were well represented with Toronto Leaside, Clearview Icecats, North York Storm and Durham West Lightning also competing in the Tournament. Michelle our back up goalie from Kitchener was also in the ranks. Not to mention the Georgina Bantam B and Midget BB were also representing the hood. We had lots to scoreboard watch and cheer for!
Of note - no other Central Division team in our Regular Season won a game at Provincials.
Game #1 vs FLAMBOROUGH FALCONS
Flamborough had just beat out Mississauga (LLFHL Silver medalists) in order to qualify for the tournament. They are quick skating, puck moving team that pays attention to team details. They had beat us 3-0 earlier in the year for the Gold medal in the Clearview tournament.
Georgina were still missing a player out to suspension from the LLFHL. Flamborough came out flying and Georgina got great goaltending support. 6 minutes into the game Flamborough grabbed a one goal lead. With just over 3 minutes left in the first Erin grabbed another key goal on a helper from Jenna. Five minutes into the second period it was Brit that put home the biscuit to give Georgina the lead. 4 minutes later Flamborough returned the favour capturing the equalizer. The game ended in a 2-2 tie.
In Game #2 vs Brantford ICECATS
Brantford ICECATS were probably the lowest seeded team in our round robin play that we had to play against. However, they had just taken the win in game one off COLD CREEK and were sitting in first place in our round robin play.
Georgina felt that Brantford would have an offensive presence or element to their game.
The greatest display of sportsmanship witnessed was when Erin banged in the first goal of the game. The winger on the other team came ofF the bench, lined up against her and first pumped her for her goal. It was unexpected, not the norm and awesome!
Georgina appeared to have control of the game but the score ended in a 2-2 tie. We felt as if we had given away a point.
Flamborough now had 3 points
Brantford now had 3 points
Georgina had 2 points.
Cold Creek had 0 points (uncharacteristic for a good team)
A tie in the last game by Brantford and Flamborough could again push Georgina out of the Tournament in the tie breaking rules.
Game #3 vs. COLD CREEK COMETS:
Not much was known about COLD CREEK other then they qualified by beating out PETERBOROUGH (who had beat Georgina twice in the Applefest Tournament) and KEENE who just beat Georgina 7-0 in the Bronze medal game of the LLFHL Championships.
Georgina needed to win this game by three goals to control their own fate and not worry about a possible tie. Georgina dominated the play and gave up little in the way of scoring chances. When they did Lauren stood strong. Georgina struck twice on markers from Christine and Erin. In the third Georgina expanded their lead to 3 when Emily (back from suspension) captured a goal crease scramble. Things were looking good. Georgina controlled the play, the shot count and puck possession.
With only 1:17 seconds remaining in the game COLD CREEK appeared to of iced the puck which got caught up the abundance of snow a few feet from Lauren. A hesitation and decision was made not to go out and cover the puck, Georgina defence were beat to the puck and Cold creek played spoiler by capturing a goal. Georgina now only had a 2 goal lead and needed 3 to control on fate. Georgina pressed for the last minute offensive, unfortunately the puck was cleared out and Cold Creek were sprung on another breakaway scoring with 25 seconds left. Emotions changed, helplessness set in and the tears began to flow down some long faces. Although we won 3-2 it was again out of our hands. This time however the other game went in our favour and news was greeted in the change room with a great roar. For the second week in a row we were all on an emotional roller coaster. With no losses in the Provincial round robin the HAWKS advanced to the elimination round to play SOUTH HURON.
Flamborough finished with 5 points
Georgina 4 points
Brantford 3 points
Cold Creek 0 Points (but almost played spoiler to the Hawks)
Elimination game vs SOUTH HURON
South Huron had just won the LLFHL CHAMPIONS WEEKEND gold medal the weekend before had beat the Georgina Midget B in a 2-0 game while outshooting the HAWKS 26-8.
Georgina again came out of the gate hesitant and were initially put back on their heals. Hawks were again outshot by the fast skating LLFHL CHAMPIONS. Georgina did however get their feet underneath them and gave the SABRES a run for their money.
In the second period the teams exchanged chances. FLAMBOROUGH had scored first 45 seconds into the 2nd period for the lead but Georgina had been pressing. It was two broken plays (goal crease scrambles) with two unfortunate multiple bounce deflections that gave South Huron back to back markers late in the second period to grab a 3-0 lead. The score was not indicative of the girls play. Beth got the girls back within two to start the period. Both teams went scoreless in the 3rd and just like that the Hawks season was over.
The girls had an amazing season and and amazing run at two significant titles. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out for the girls. There can only be one winner in both tournaments and the Hawks remained competitive with all other Championship teams.
You should be proud of yourself and each other. We parents are!