The Paul Watson Esso U13 B team took home the OMHA title in Barrie over the Easter Weekend going 5-0 and outscoring their opponents 35-2.
The Flames began the Championship tournament with a rematch of the International SilverStick title game vs. the WOAA Region Champion Kincardine Kinucks on Friday morning. In front of a packed house who turned out to see the #1 and #2 ranked teams in the province respectively, the Flames did not disappoint controlling the puck for most of the game. They generated 16 shots from in the house compared to just 3 for Kincardine thanks to the stingy Flames defense corp. Both team's netminders played fabulously and the Flames took the first game 2-0. They were led by a goal and an assist from Noah Homick, and a goal from Greyson Ward. KJ Dunn earned the shutout with 13 saves.
Following the big opening victory, the Flames took on the Niagara District Champion Thorold Blackhawks looking to get to 2-0 in the round robin. They wasted no time getting on the board just 9 seconds into the game and the Flames cruised to victory 11-0. Greyson Ward led the way with 7 goals and an assist. Landen Froud, Brady Ridsdale, and Owen Homick contributed a goal and 2 assists each. Carter Morrison added a single and Noah Homick put up 5 assists. Spencer Graham earned the shutout with 14 saves.
On day 2, the Flames looked to cement first place in the round robin taking on the Shamrock League Finalist Lambeth Lancers. A win would seal top spot for the Flames and send them into the semi-finals. Landen Froud got the Flames started with 2 goals in the first period and Noah Homick added another to make it 3-0 after one. The Flames never looked back, eliminating the Lancers with a 9-0 victory. Greyson Ward finished with 6 goals and 2 assists, Noah Homick had a goal and 2 assists, and Landen Froud had a pair of goals for the Flames. KJ Dunn earned his second shut out of the tournament stopping all 10 shots he faced.
The semi-finals pitted the Shamrock League champion Mt. Brydges Cougars vs the Region 5 champion Flames. After Simon Chicoine gave the Flames a 1-0 lead, the Cougars ended the Flames shutout streak and tied the game at 1. But before the period was over Brady Ridsdale and Greyson Ward would give the Flames a 3-1 edge. Greyson Ward with his second, Noah Homick and Brody Quesnelle with one each completed the scoring and sent the Flames into the finals with a 6-1 victory. Spencer Graham made 4 saves for the win.
The finals pitted the Flames vs. Victoria Durham Champion Ennismore Eagles, who had upset the Kincardine Kinucks in the other semi-final. With numerous friends, family and supporters cheering on the Flames, the game in Barrie seemed like a home game. The Flames controlled the first period outshooting the Eagles 9-1, but the Eagles goalie stood tall and they scored on their only shot of the period to led the game 1-0 after one. The second period started much the same as the first with the Flames peppering the Eagles goalie with shots but unable to find the equalizer. Half way through the second, the flames final broke the goose egg when Greyson Ward fired home a low wrist shot to knot things up at 1. From there, the Flames PP took over with Simon Chicoine and Brady Ridsdale potting goals in quick succession to give the Flames a 3-1 edge. Greyson Ward tallied his second of the game before the period was out and the Flames led 4-1 heading into the third. In the final period, the Flames continued the onslaught firing 21 more shots on goal and scoring 3 more times led by Carter Morrison, Landen Froud and Greyson Ward completing the hat trick. KJ Dunn earned the victory for the Flames who outshot the Eagles 49-6.
Congratulations to all the players, coaching staff and parents on this incredible accomplishment. They are the first team in Penetang history to win the OMHA Championships and the International SilverStick in the same year. They finish the season with a 72-2-2 record and an incredible 627 GF and just 83 GA. They went undefeated in Region 5 and OMHA action this year going 34-0-0 across regular season and post season. They won 6 tournaments including 4 at the AA level - Columbus Day Clash 12U AA in Pittsburgh, Kingston Canadians U13 AA in Kingston, Bob Merkeley Regional SilverStick U13 B in Midland, Bell Capital Cup U13 AA in Ottawa, International SilverStick U13 B Tournament in Forest, and the Dunsmuir Memorial U13 AA in East Gwillumbury.
Way to go U13 B Flames - you've earned it.
Back Row: Doug Ward (Trainer), Mike Demunnik (Coach), Carter Morrison, Greyson Ward, Stuart Demunnik, Simon Chicoine, Ray Dion, Aaron Dion (Coach), Brady Ridsdale, Kal Johnson (Coach), Duane Homick (Coach), Shawn Ridsdale (Trainer)
Middle Row: Boyd Gerow, Owen Homick, Landen Froud, Noah Robitaille, Noah Homick, Brody Quesnelle
Front Row: KJ Dunn, Spencer Graham