Apr 01, 2014 | Jarod Moorhouse | 1723 views
OMHA Champions!!!
We did it!!!
We are the 2013-2014 OMHA Champs.
Here is a summary of our season.
After winning the Caledonia tournament, Mitchell tournament and the Strathroy tournament. The PeeWee AE team turned its focus on Silverstick. With momentum on our side, the Cougars won their regional Silverstick in South Huron. That was a huge highlight for everyone.
But, just when I thought that things couldn't get much better than this, the team set its sights on International Silverstick in Pelham. The team finished 2nd in the pool and was relegated to tier 1. The team lost in the semis to a tough Barrie team. With our dreams crushed of winning a 5th tournament in a row and the International title, the Cougars started ramping up for the OMHA playoffs.
The Cougars 1st round was a home and home series with Dorchester, Mooretown and St.Marys. The team went 6-0 in the first round.
Then the Cougars faced the only team to hand us a loss in the regular season, Strathroy. The team beat the Rockets 3 straight to finalize a spot in the semi-finals.
The PeeWee AE's then had to face a tough Caledonia team that some figured was the team to beat this year. Well, they were not as big a challenge as anticipated. The Cougars took them out 3 straight, confidently securing a spot in the OMHA finals.
The last team in our way of a championship was the Huntsville Otters. With playing game 1 at home, the Cougars played a good game, not perfect, but good. We found a way to win and won game one 3-1.
Games 2 and 3 were back in Huntsville and they were bringing out all the stops for us. With a nice opening ceremonies for both teams, the game was on. I think our team was playing to not make a mistake in game 2, as we out shot them and out skated them but just couldn't get the puck past a determined Huntsville goalie. We tied the game up with roughly 1 minute to go in the 3rd period forcing overtime. The Cougars hit 3 posts and kept the Otters hemmed in their end for minutes on end. But the Otters got a break and put the puck in the net winning the game 5-4 and evening the series 1-1.
With the team very upset and questioning themselves, I told them that sometimes you need to lose to know how to win. I think the loss just fired the team up.
Game 3 came the following day in Huntsville as well and their crowd was even bigger and noisier. We quieted them quickly scoring 3 in the first, 1 in the second and 3 more in the 3rd. Winning the game 7-1 and taking the lead in the series 2-1. We now head back to Mt.B the following weekend for game 4. After the game, the Otters coach said to me that they needed to work on some things after that game. I just smiled.
After a week of stress and nerves, game 4 was here. With dressing in the Bulldogs room, the kids were focused and ready to go.
The turning point of the game was at the 30 sec mark of the 1st period. The save of the year was made. With our goalie focused and ready to go and the crowd behind us going nuts, I knew Shaun was going to shut the door on any shot that came his way. We took the puck down the very next shift and scored. With relentless pursuit of the puck, the Cougars devoured the Otters to a score of 6-0.
As I said before, sometimes you need to lose to know how to win. And we did just that in games 3 and 4. We dominated.
I am so proud of all the kids. Their work ethic and commitment to the team during practices and games was second to none. Winning the Championship is proof of that.
Not too often you can come up with a game plan at the beginning of the year and follow it to a tee seven months later. We met every stepping stone or challenge and conquered it with a final season record of 62-6. Wow!
Well done!!
I am sure we will all remember this season for a long time.
A special thanks to my coaching staff.
Assistant coach - Jason Micallef
Trainer - Shaun Gregory
Assistant trainer - Colin Coleiro
Jersey rep - Ange and Fred Hackel
Parent rep - Kathleen Taylor
Manager - Tracie and Terry Madill
With them, my job was made much easier.
Thanks to all the fans that came out to support us in the playoffs and regular season.
And 1 more thank-you. Thank-you to all the parents on my team. You were all awesome! You were a pleasure to work with and party with. Your commitment to your kids hockey was much appreciated. Your kids are very lucky.
So again, Thank you!!
I think that's it with a final farewell.
Thanks again
JM