On Monday December 29, 2014 The TNT
Tornados
Atom AE team faced their arch rivals, the Barrie Colts in a showdown
to claim supremacy in the Regional Silver Stick Qualifier and a chance to
represent the area at the International Silver Stick Finals.
As the first period opened up, both teams bore down on each other with neither one giving a quarter to the other. They battled back and forth throughout the first period, but neither team could find the back of the opposing net. It wasn’t for lack of trying but both goaltenders were on their game and providing firm opposition.
The period ended with neither team being able to gain the advantage.
As the 2nd period opened up, the young dust busters raised their game a notch. Early in the 2nd period, Gavin WRIGHT starts to move the puck up the ice and then makes a quick pass to Zander CORMIER. Cormier passes it to Lucas GURSKI who finds the back of the Barrie net and draws First Blood for the Tornados. 1-0
Barrie increased the tempo of their game and continued to battle hard along the boards but were constantly thwarted by the strong defensive team. As the period drew to a close, Barrie’s constant attacks finally bore some result when they were able to draw even with the young Tornados. 1-1
The young cyclones quickly answered back, with Connall JACKMAN making a quick pass to Gavin Wright, who fired the puck and found the end of Lucas Gurski’s stick. Gurski then confounds the Barrie net minder and makes the score 2-1.
As the 3rd period began, the Tornados continue their onslaught with both TNT and Barrie battling hard for the puck in front of the Barrie net. Lucas Gurski then pulls the puck out, dances around the back of the net and deposits it on the other side, giving the Tornados a 3-1 lead.
Although down by 2 goals, the Colts keep the pressure on and don’t falter. As the game becomes more physical, Barrie is able to draw to within a goal separation at 10:42, making the score 3-2.
The Tornados take the tempo of the game up another notch and the pairing of Gavin Wright and Lucas Gurski’s earns the Tornados another goal as Gurski finds the back of the Colt’s net for the fourth time in the evening. 4-2.
Barrie increases their physicality, but it proves unsuccessful as Lucas Gurski carries the puck into the neutral zone and then makes a pass to Zack NOLET, who scores the final goal for TNT. 5-2
The young Colts however are determined not to go down without a fight and in the last 3 minutes of the game, they draw to within 2 goals of the young cyclones. 5-3.
The young tornados then tighten their defensive game up even more and increase their own physicality which stops the thundering Colts cold in their tracks.
The young Tornados are victorious over the Barrie Colts, and were crowned Regional Champions.
The TNT Tornados Atom AE team now has been given the opportunity to represent TNT Minor Hockey and the Town of New Tecumseth at the International Silver Stick tournament in 2 weeks in Pelham Ontario.