Bantam Rep - Strathroy Bantam Rep Silverstick Champs!
The Strathroy Tire Bantam Rep team participated in the Regional Silverstick tournament held in Watford. Their first opponent was the Ayr Flames who came into the tournament with an impressive winning record.
The boys played a solid two-way game but couldn’t capitalize on their opportunities. Ayr converted on a powerplay and added a goal late on a deflection to make the final 2-0. In the second game, The Jr. Rockets met Lambeth. Strathroy took control of the game early and found their offense. Logan Sullivan scored the first goal of the tournament with the assist to Jackson Kading. The Jr. Rockets would go up 2-0 on a powerplay marker by Brian Mc Lean with the assists to Brandon Van Dyk and Sullivan. Strathroy would make it 3-0 as Jake Melo would convert on the wrap-around with the helper from Alex Vanderheyden. Lambeth responded late to make it 3-1 after the second period. The Jr. Rockets would seal the game on goals from Jakob Rody and Matt Slegers with assists to Kading and Josh Fulmer to make the final 5-1 Strathroy. After a record of 1-1, the Jr. Rockets were seeded fourth out of nine teams which matched them up with Aylmer in a quarterfinal contest. Strathroy scored first on a goal by Kading from Sullivan. Aylmer would tie it 1-1 and the score would remain tied until the third period when Sullivan scored on a turnover unassisted. Aylmer would respond to tie it minutes later only to have Alex Cybulski bury a shot on a delayed penalty call with the assists to Melo and Fulmer. Strathroy would hold on to make the final 3-2. The win advanced the Jr. Rockets to the semi-final against Wallaceburg who had been seeded first. Strathroy came out tentative and very few chances were generated. Morgan Reed kept the Jr. Rockets in the game with some timely saves which seemed to frustrate the opposition. Strathroy were finally able to find the net as Turner Balasin converted a cycling play from Van Dyk and Rody to make the score 1-0. Reed would earn the shutout behind some steady defensive play to make the final 1-0. The win earned a rematch with the Ayr Flames who knocked off Mt. Brydges in the other semi-final. Strathroy came out flying and it appeared they had something to prove. After sustained pressure in the Ayr zone for most of the period, Kading converted on a rebound on a shot from Sullivan to put Strathroy up 1-0. The Jr. Rockets continued their strong play but ran into penalty troubles on some questionable calls against them. Strathroy killed off numerous penalties including a 5-3. After yet another penalty call against them, the Jr. Rockets were rewarded for their hard work as Rody would strike short-handed on a clearing pass from Alex Vanderheyden and Reed to make the score 2-0. Reed would once again shut the door for his 2nd shutout of the tournament behind some great defensive play from Daniel Mc Lenon, Kyle Vanderheyden, Alex Cybulksi and Alex Vanderheyden to make the final 2-0 Strathroy and crown them Regional Silverstick Champs! The tournament win qualified the Bantams to participate in the International Silverstick tournament being held in Forest Jan. 27th-29th. Special thanks to Matt Boere for backing up in goal and the entire coaching staff for their hard work.
Written by: Paul Van Dyk
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