The ENS Minor PeeWee's defeated the St. Thomas Jr. Stars on Sunday in an epic series that went the distance and now move on to the quarter finals of the OMHA playdowns.
Both Teams played their hearts out and left it all on the ice in a series that deserved to go to the brink. Using relentless forechecking, stifling defence and shut the front door goaltending the 05's were rewarded with a trip to the "elite eight"
Game # 3 - Friday February 3/2017 - Kingsville
The Storm had confidence heading into game 3 after taking back home ice advantage with an overtime win in game 2 in St. Thomas. Both Teams started the game off strong and played to a scoreless tie after one period. The second period featured the same tight checking as the first until Matteo banged home a rebound put on net by Cale with 3 minutes left in the 2nd. The Storm went up 2-0 on a shorthanded goal when Cole converted a 2 on 1 pass from Cale. St. Thomas answered right back on the same powerplay to cut the lead to 2-1 after two.
St. Thomas evened things up early in the third and with time dwindling down took the lead for the first time with 3 minutes left in the game. This time it was the Storm's turn to answer and Kohen did so the following shift by knocking home Ellie's point shot rebound. Regulation ended tied 3-3.
Next up was overtime for the second game in a row. The Storm seemed to have the advantage during the extra frame, but couldn't put the game away. As is often the case, St. Thomas capitalized on an odd man rush after a neutral zone turnover and scored half way through the period.
Final Score: St. Thomas 4 - Storm 3
Game # 4 - Saturday February 4/2017 - Aylmer
The Storm stuck to their game plan while facing elimination for the first time this year. They were rewarded early in the second period when Kohen took a pass from Cale on a 2 on 1 and put a backhand past the goalie. St. Thomas tied it up a couple of minutes later when strong forechecking led to a turnover at the side of the crease which was then jammed home. St. Thomas went up 2-1 on a powerplay goal after a winger put in his own rebound after a nice individual rush. Cale tied it up 2 minutes later by making no mistake with Michaels rebound shot from the slot. In the last minute of the second period Matteo scored on a powerplay to regain the lead 3-2.
St. Thomas once again answered the bell early in the third on another powerplay winning a faceoff back to the point and then burying the rebound out front. Score tied 3-3. Just when it looked like the two teams were going to overtime for the third straight game, Ty H. completed his Gordie Howe Hat Trick ( Goal, Assist, Penalty ) by scoring the game winner on a powerplay late in the period.
Final Score: Storm 4 - St. Thomas 3
Game # 5 - Sunday February 5/2017 - Kingsville
With a large home crowd in support, the Storm took to the ice on Sunday looking for victory in the fifth and decisive game. The game opened with the same high intensity shown throughout the series. St. Thomas opened the scoring on a powerplay when a point shot found its way to the back of the net through a screen at the mid way point of the period. The Storm tied things up half way through the second when Kohen rifled a shot that went off of and then up and over the St. Thomas goalie. With 4 seconds remaining in the second period Owen scored after rushing down the wing, centering the puck and then cashing in off of Cales rebound. 2-1 Storm after two. The Storm played stingy hockey in the third preventing St. Thomas from gaining any momentum. The result was a scoreless third period and a series victory for the Storm.
Final Score: Storm 2 - St. Thomas 1
Storm win the series six points to four.
Next up - Garden City Jr. Falcons in the OMHA quarter finals
Coach Greg's beard lives another round - #fearthebeard
Go Storm Go !!