The 11U Coyote Rep Team on the Road to #RedHats, News (Elmvale Minor Hockey)

News Article
News Article Image
Mar 29, 2022 | Anthony Lalonde | 4910 views
The 11U Coyote Rep Team on the Road to #RedHats
A great article about our U11 Rep teams road to the OMHA finals which happens this weekend in Barrie. 

The 11U Coyote Rep Team on the Road to #RedHats


The 2021-2022 Season has proved to be quite the year for the Elmvale Coyotes U11 Atom Rep team. Like most teams, the season was impacted by  COVID-19 rules and interruptions and limited spectators.  But the love for the game didn’t stop these players from showing up for every practice, including the dreaded early morning 6am timeslot! They showed up with smiles on their faces, eager to learn new drills, listen to their coaches, and train hard.  


The boys never let up and showed that even with little to no hockey the previous year, they were still a force to be reckoned with, ending their regular season in first place and beating out some of their toughest rivals. With COVID once again wreaking havoc on the team, they displayed resilience and teamwork placing third in the round robin portion of the playoffs. 


Before entering the finals,  the team participated in our home hosted Maple Syrup County Tournament bringing home gold after beating the Collingwood Jr Blues 7-2 in the final game. 


Region 5, Tier 1 Championship 


March 26 & 27 - the weekend our Elmvale Coyotes U11 Atom Rep team trained so hard for had arrived - sudden death final weekend in South Muskoka. 


Our first game was against the Penetang Flames and our boys came out strong with forward Preston Kenney scoring his first of four goals this game (a Texas Hat Trick). Defencemen Dakota VanKeuren and Caleb Lesperance kept Penetang at bay winning several battles defending in front of the net. Coyotes kept the puck in Penetang’s net with additional goals from Brody Coram, Nash McCann, Evan Dziama and Carson Mogridge - and not forgetting the end to end goal from Carter Phillips. A Superman save by VanKeuren and a split save by goalie Everson Fay secured the 9-2 win. 


The boys came to their second  game pumped and knew it would be a tough one, as the Collingwood Jr. Blues always put them to the test. Collingwood got on the board first but it was not long before Mogridge returned the favor with a breakaway goal. Aubrey Ireland came next, breaking through the crowd with a pass to Mogridge with a goal giving the Coyotes the lead. Defencemen Sam Dennis and Lesperance both made critical plays stopping two Collingwood breakaways. Back in Collingwood’s end Phillips continued digging and fighting for the puck, passing to Mogridge with a shot to the back of the net bringing the score to 3–1. With just two minutes remaining, Collingwood pulls their goalie which does not go unnoticed by defenceman Charlie Morrison, who sends the puck for a long ride from Elmvale’s end to secure the 4-1 win.


Not only did this mark the Elmvale Coyotes U11 Atom Rep team’s spot in the regional finals Sunday, but ALSO in the OMHA race for the Red Hat Championship in Barrie April 1st - 3rd.  (See Schedule at the end of the Article).

The third and final game our 11U Rep played was on Sunday, in Gravenhurst against the Oro Thunder.  These were two well matched teams, always providing quite the game for fans. Not sure who was more nervous, the parents or the players? Once again, the boys rallied together, coming in strong with Dziama getting Elmvale on the board first! Two minutes later McMann followed up with a beauty goal putting Elmvale ahead by two points. Oro attacked from the point, causing the Elmvale goalie Fay to get down and make another incredible save. Matthew Manzone fought for the puck at the Oro net winning the draw, and the puck was off to Coram for the goal!! Oro came back with several shots, but were no match for Elmvale’s defenceman Dennis and Morrison and goalie Fay to keep Oro at 0. When Oro did get on the board,  Ireland was quick to respond with a pass to Mogridge for the goal! 4-1. Shortly after Oro scores again. When Oro thinks they are coming back for a third goal, Fay denies them with a flying puck save! Dziama quickly returns to Oro’s end with an awesome goal giving us a big lead 5-2. With 30 seconds left in the third, Oro scores but it’s not enough and Coyotes take the championship 5-3!


To say that there is some talent on this team would be an understatement. Each and every player brings their own technique and flair to the game; but just as important the team supports and assists one another both on and off the ice for continued victories.  We are looking forward to seeing what April’s OMHA finals bring, and if we can bring home the Red Hat. The Elmvale Coyotes U11 Atom Rep team will forever be recognized for their ongoing accomplishments, heart, and improvements that make their coaches, families and community proud!


You are encouraged to come out and support the team this weekend (April1-3) in Barrie at the Peggy Hill Community Centre (former Holly Rec Centre).  Games are as follows:

Fri. April 1st @ 8:15 am vs. Orangeville Flyers AE

Fri. April 1st @ 3:45 pm vs. Tillsonburg Tornadoes

Sat. April 2nd @ 9:456 am vs. Ennismore Eagles


20220327_160635.jpg

Photo

Credit: Steve Dziama. Sunday March 27th, Gravenhurst, Region 5 Tier 1 Championship

Back

row L-R: Head Coach Cullen Fay, Matthew Manzone (F), Evan Dziama (C) Carter Phillips (F), Sam Dennis (D), Dakota VanKeuren (D), Nash McMann (F), Brody Coram (F), Assistant Coach Jaret Coram, Trainer Serge Lesperance.

Front

row L-R: Carson Mogridge (C) Caleb Lesperance (D), Preston Kenney (F), Charlie Morrison (D), Everson Fay (G), Aubrey Ireland (F)


Sponsors