The Gary Edgecombe CA Peewee Rep
Coyotes lost two straight games to OMHA Finalists, the Penetang
Flames, to finish fourth in the Georgian Bay A Finals. They will play
their final games of the season starting on Friday, March 28 at the
Maple Syrup Country Tournament in Elmvale.
On Tuesday, March 17, the Coyotes travelled to Penetang for their first Georgian Bay A Consolation Finals game. The Coyotes came out of the first period down 0-1. The Flames extended their lead to two early in the second, but Noah Dion was able to flip one past Penetang goal tender, Josh Bernard, making the score 1-2. The momentum shifted in favour of the Coyotes early in the third, and Jack Nell and Jake Bouzis combined for the tying goal. Penetang pressed and passed their way in front of Coyotes net minder, William McDowell, and put a screened shot past him. The Coyotes responded, but Bernard's quick glove hand preserved their lead. With less than one minute left to play, Coach Robertson pulled McDowell with hopes of a tying goal. Fourteen seconds from the end of the game, Jack Nell tapped a puck sitting on the Penetang goal line into the net. The crowd cheered, and the players celebrated. The referee who was screened from the scene waived off the goal and refused to discuss it with anybody. Once the disbelief had passed, laughter ensued. It seems everyone but the referee knew it was in. The game ended in a 2-3 loss, but no hard feelings were felt between the teams.
The following night, Wednesday, March 18, Penetang came to Elmvale for game two. For two periods, the Coyotes kept it close, but the Flames opened up a lead in the third. The game ended in a 1-3 loss for the Coyotes. The teams shook hands, and the Coyotes wished the Flames good luck in the OMHA Final.
The Maple Syrup Country Tournament will see 24 teams in three divisions play three games each in Elmvale and Wasaga Beach. If you haven't had your fill of hockey yet this season, this is your chance. The finals will take place Sunday, March 30. With any luck, The Coyotes will be playing for top spot. Check elmvaleminorhockey.ca for the full schedule.