This past weekend Tyke #1 (sponsored by the Elmvale Legion) traveled to Simcoe to participate in their Lions Tyke Tournament. When all the dust settled, Elmvale captured the championship with a thrilling 5-4 come from behind overtime victory.
In game #1 Elmvale took care of business with a convincing 7-2 victory over New Hamburg. Our up and coming AP rookie got the start in net, and propelled us to victory. Benjamin picked up the player of the game for his 3 goal and 3 assist performance.
In game #2 1st place in the pool was on the line with the loser having no chance at the title. Elmvale was playing host Simcoe Penguins (eventual 'B' division champs). Carlos got the call in net, and was able to backstop us to a 6-4 victory, and punch our ticket to the 'A' semi finals. Trenton had a 2 goal, 1 assist game and earned the player of the game.
In game #3 Elmvale took on St George Blue. What looked like a potentially lopsided game with Elmvale at 2-0 and St George at 0-2 coming in, quickly turned into a back and forth game. St George battled hard all game and had a number of key saves down the stretch to secure a well deserved 5-5 tie. Nathan played well in net, and Elmvale's player of the game went to Ty who had a 2 goal game.
Elmvale matched up with Tillsonburg Blue in the semi final. Elmvale was fired up and ready to go. Quickly Elmvale vaulted themselves into a 4-1 lead, but Elmvale got their 1st 2 penalties of year within seconds of each other, and just like that is was 4-3 half way through the game. William was in net again for Elmvale, and he made great saves enabling the boys the much needed time to convert on the many great opportunities they were generating. Elmvale netted 8 unanswered goals en route to a solid 12-3 win, and a trip to the finals. Ty picked up the MVP with a 5 goal performance.
In the final Tillsonburg Red was the foe. William once again got the call in net. William was sporting a lifetime 2-0 record at the time. When Benjamin sprung Ty on 2 clear cut breakaways in the 1st minute only to see both turned away by a talented Tillsonburg netminder Elmvale knew they were in for a battle. Good scoring chance were hard to come by, as both teams were playing a close checking game. Entering the 3rd period Tillsonburg led 2-1, Ty would score his 2nd to even the score. About 1/2 way through the 3rd Tillsonburg would go ahead 3-2, and then make it 4-2 with less than 5 minutes to go. With less than 2 minutes left, after a time out, Elmvale seemed to generate a little momentum, and Ty was able to bring Elmvale to within 1. Then Ty would score his 4th of the game with less than a minute to go, sending the Elmvale crowd into a frenzied state, and send the game into overtime. With all the momentum now on the Elmvale side Ty would finish off the game in style with his 5th to secure the OT win for the Coyotes. Game MVP went to Nikolas who had 3 assists, and play great all game on defence.
Congrats needs to go out to the 12 young men who were able to balance all that an over night tournament has to offer.
Jackson, Ty, Nathan, Nathan, Carlos, Tyler, Trenton, Quintin, William, Rylan, Benjamin, and Nikolas (Cameron was also there in spirit) were warriors on the ice, and family off the ice, and did all of Coyote nation proud.
Check out the photo gallery from the tournament here >>
Simcoe Tourney Gallery