The passports were not even tucked away and the atmosphere was alive and kicking. The boys could barely get through the front door's of the arena without being mobbed by other young players wanting to trade their team's pins! The first game was at noon vs Blyth-Brussels. After the excitement of getting through the lobby, the boys settled in only to have Blyth ring one off both posts and bounce into the corner. Minutes later Belmont scored their first goal of the tournament. It was a solid game by all and we won 5-1. Now it was time to get back to the hotel and hit the water park pool!!
Our next game was Friday night at 7:30pm vs the Saints from St. Claire Shores. Part of the whole experience is life at the hotel. For the kids, it's pool,arcade and mini-sticks. For the parents it's the excitement of cheap cold beverages. Everyone talking about who got the best deal? After a fun filled afternoon it was back to the rink. The game was lopsided and not what we had hoped for. But, the way the tournament was set up goals for minus goals against predicts how the top four teams are seeded if tied. Friday night was back to the hotel for more of the pool,snacks,mini-sticks,cold beverages and fellowship provided by two of our fans who made the trek to Michigan. AKA,"TC and Farmer" Saturday was a long wait as our 3rd and only game was at 5pm. You guesssed it, pool,arcade,fellowship...seeing a trend here? Oh and some bargain shopping was also on the agenda too! We won our 3rd game against Beeton and that put us in the #1 seeding going into Sunday. Our opponent we found out later at the hotel after all the games had played out was Tweed. Another unknown for the boys and an early rise as the game time was 7:30am. The dressing room was starting to smell like chlorine by this point and we just hoped the legs were not water logged! The game started slow as the blue puck collected snow and did not slide like it should. Belmont opened the scoring and held onto the lead to win the game and head to the finals. In the other semi-final which started at 7am between arch rival Lucan and Centre Hastings was still in progress when we had finished as they went into 3 or 4 overtime periods before Centre Hastings tucked one in to send them to the final for the 3rd time in three years for their organization. The pre-game ceromonies of all players being introduced and both the Canadian and American anthems being played just added to the atmosphere and anticipation of what lied ahead. It was action packed end to end excitement. Belmont opened the scoring and added two more to win the first period 3-0. With one of the most exciting players in the tournament on the other team, he wouldn't let the Grizzlies go down without a fight! Connor Hunt was his name and he on his own skill and will scored a hattrick to make the game 4-3 Belmont late in the game. He was on his way to maybe tie it up when Cal Crinklaw took a penalty against him. Out went the horses and after a nail biting last minute of play the buzzer sounded and the yard sale of gloves and sticks began!
The team had the celebratory pics with the silver stick before it had to be handed back. Thanks to everbody for a great week-end on and off the ice. The kids might not remember the games in a few years, but all the other that they experienced will be never forgotten.
"It's something unpredictable, But in the end it's right, I hope you had the time of your life.
So take the photographs and still frames in your mind, hang it on a shelf in good health and good time"
GreenDay.