The Saugeen Valley Steelheads U11B team travelled to Seaforth over the November 17th & 18th weekend to compete in the Bill Carnochan Memorial U11B Tournament.
The Steelheads opened the tournament facing off against the South Huron Sabres, after a quite first period that had two goose eggs on the score board we came out strong in the second period. Nixon Reinhart was first to find the back of the net! As the period winded down, Carter Henry, Easton Reinhart, Max Crawford and Nixon Brown all netted a goal to give us a comfortable lead heading into the third. Keeping the strong play going Jaxx Lester and Ross Schreinert would add two goals in the third giving the Steelheads the win of 7-1 and a solid start to the tournament! Drake Hoffman was the lone goal scorer for the Sabres. For his hard work the MVP of the game was Nixon Reinhart.
An old rivalry was renewed in Game 2 as the Steelheads were in tough against the season undefeated Walkerton Capitals. In a game that saw many chances we were unable to sneak any pucks past the Walkerton netminder. Cohen Dupuis and Gavin Johns netted two goals for Walkerton which would be the final score 2-0. Our goalie Cooper McClement who was sharp in net was the MVP of the game!
Saturday morning found us facing the Mitchell Meteors for Game 3. Having the only lose of the season to Mitchell you knew this was a game the boys wanted to take back with the win. E. Reinhart must have had the win on his mind as he went on a tear scoring FOUR goals!! Not to be outdone by his brother N. Reinhart would add two too the board. Tatum Roberts netted a goal with a beauty of a shot! On defense Mason Wettlaufer went for a skate and found the back of the net giving the Steelheads a commanding win of 8-3! Myles Havens for Mitchell would score all three for his team. The clear choice for MVP with his goal count went to Easton Reinhart!!
The Steelheads finished the qualifying round with Game 4 against the hosting Mid Huron Huskies! Having played the Huskies in regular season were knew some of their strengths and weaknesses. Wettlaufer didn't waste anytime getting us on the board taking the early lead. Kane Courtney of the Huskies would tie the game in the second. Heading into the final period tired we knew now was the time to pressure and drive the net. Midway through the period Brown would go for a skate and sink the puck giving us the lead! In the dying minutes of the game the Huskies would pull their netminder, with the added pressure of the added skater the boys dug in and defended their end perfectly! When N. Reinhart saw the opportunity he fired the puck down into the empty net!! Taking the 3-1 win and placing us second in the standings heading into the semifinals. Coach Shane deemed MVP of the game was Mason Wettlaufer!
The semi-final game was a rematch against the Mid Huron Huskies!! The boys were ready and knew this was a win to move on scenario. With that in the back of each players minds they came out strong!! It was a rather quite first 10 minutes of the game with N. Reinhart giving us the one goal lead going into the second. Wanting to build on the lead Crawford and Lester padded our tally by two making it 3-0 with one period to go. We knew we needed to continue the strong play and working as a team if we wanted to see the championship game. When his first goal of the game was called back you knew that wouldnt sit well with Ross Schreinert, he netted a clear goal in the third along with Crawford and Lester again to give us the commanding win of 6-0 and a berth into the Championship game!! With his no quit attitude Shane awarded Max Crawford as our MVP!!
The championship game was a chance at redemption for the Saugeen Valley Steelheads as they were slotted to play the Walkerton Capitals. Brown opened the scoring less than two minutes into the game giving the Steelheads an early lead. Walkerton Capitals Boyd Murray answered back tying the game at one a piece. A scoreless second period found both teams with numerous chances but nothing to alter the scoreboard. With less than six minutes to go in the third period, Brown’s shot from the point found the back of the net to give the Steelheads a late lead in the final game. The Steelheads defended hard in the dying minutes and won the Championship game 2-1 vs the Walkerton Capitals. Nixon Brown took home a gold medal and the MVP of the game!!
This success was truly a full team effort!! Every player on this team played a role in the team’s road to the championship!! Each and every one of them should be beyond proud of themselves for this achievement!! To the coaches, you kept the boys focused on and off the ice, kept a positive changeroom and showed great leadership to this young group of boys!
Congratulations our your CHAMPIONSHIP!!
Back row, left to right, Nixon Brown, Assistant Coach Scott Wettlaufer, Mason Wettlaufer, Kohen Bosman, Trainer Steven Bosman, Jaxx Lester, Head Coach Shane Lester, Tatum Roberts, and Assistant Trainer Drew Roberts.
Middle row, left to right, Nixon Reinhart, Easton Reinhart, Max Crawford, Ross Schreinert, Dayson Gauci, Gavin Simpson, Carter Henry, and Knox Lang.
Front row, Goalie Cooper McClement.
Absent from photo, Assistant Coach Kevin ‘Skippy’ Lang.