Oct 15, 2016 | tcoles | 1053 views
Petes Find Their Groove - Ottawa Senators Showcase Tournament
The Boston Pizza Major Midget AAA Petes had a good preseason, looking competitive against top teams on their division and then the wheels came off.
To say that the Midget Petes have been struggling would be an understatement. Systems not working and penalty trouble resulted in play that was frustrating to watch and left them with a record of 1-7-1. But Coach Shawn Tucker was patient working the players through the paces in 8 practices in 2 weeks with individual player meetings. Every one knew the Ottawa Senators Showcase Tournament would be a test of the team's development.
The turnaround began in Game 1 with the Petes playing the Nepean Raiders. The Petes were lead by the leaders, Co-Captain 33 Blake Curran received the Game MVP and Co-Captain 93 Clay Coles added the game winner after Assistant Captain 9 Matt Wilbee opened the scoring with assists from 8 Travis Buxcey and 4 Jaxson Hood.
Game 2 saw the Petes up against the Hawkesbury Hawks where goals by 9 Wilbee and 93 Coles weren't enough to win, but enough of a complete game for Coach Tucker to be happy with the teams development. Assists to 17 Nate Allan, 8 Buxcey and 6 Joe Doyle. Final score 3-2 in favour of the Hawks.
Game 3 had the Petes playing OMHA rivals Markham Waxers. Though the team lost the game 4-1, the game didn't get away on them and lots of improvements were noted as the team progresses for success in the regular season. 17 Nate Allan scored with an assist from 9 Wilbee.
Game 4 was a true test playing the Halifax McDonalds. The game had the teams trading a goal per period, fortunately the Petes scored in the 1st and 3rd with goals from 93 Coles and 9 Wilbee to give the Petes a 2-1 win. Assists by 4 Hood (2) and 12 Aaron Toms with exceptional goaltending through out the tournament by 33 Blake Curran.
Petes back to regular season play on Sunday, October 23 in Richmond Hill against the Coyotes.