Oshawa Sand & Gravel Supply Clarington Toros Minor Midget A bring home Silver from Sunrise Florida
The last five days of November were quite memorable for the
Clarington Toros Minor Midget A team as they traveled to Sunrise, Florida to
compete in the Florida Jr. Panthers Thanksgiving Tournament.
Prior to Game 1 on November 26th, parents (and some players) got to watch the Florida Panthers practice on the ice just a few feet away from where the boys would be playing. It was exciting to see Jaromir Jagr, Roberto Luongo, and so many other great players up close! And also so interesting to see all the players skate to center and take a knee while their coach explained the next drill…just like Toro players from Novice and up! Even at the top of their game – players still need to listen to their coaches.
Game 1 was against the Florida Jr. Panther U16A team. Goals by Vozza (2), Van Drunen, Windatt, Hurd and Lace propelled the Toros to a 6-2 victory. It was great to get a win to start the tournament. Great goaltending was provided by Betterley in this and all games. Following the game the team spent the rest of the day having fun at Lauderdale by the Sea beach.
Game 2 had the Toros facing the Florida Eels Minor Midget A team on November 27th. It was a relatively easy 6-1 win for the Toros with goals from Vozza, Waters, Cafik, Lace, Windatt and Bellamy. That evening was spent watching the Florida Panthers defeat the New York Islanders 3-2 in an exciting shoot-out. Following the game, the team (and families) were excited to meet Josh Bailey of the Islanders who is a former Clarington Toros!
Our toughest game of the round-robin came in Game 3 on November 28th versus the Palm Bay Blackhawks Bantam AA team. Palm Bay struck first but a goal by Lace a few minutes later had the game tied at the end of the first. Mid-way through the second, an unassisted goal by MacLennan proved to be the game-winner, giving the Blackhawks their first loss of their season.
Game 4 later that day had the Toros play the Tampa Scorpions U16A team. In the team’s first ever penalty-free game, goals from Vozza (2), Lace and Hurd gave the Toros a 4-2 win. Unbeaten in the round-robin, they advanced to the final.
The finals were held on November 29th and had the Toros facing a team from the GTHL – the Hillcrest Canadiens (Major) Midget A team who had also gone undefeated in the round-robin. Two goals by the Canadiens in each of the first and second periods put the Toros down 4-0 which ultimately was the final score. Although the team was disappointed not to come away as champions, the rest of the day was spent at Hollywood Beach having fun!
As it often does, the silver medal looked much better the next day. Most of the team spent the afternoon at Sawgrass Recreation Park, touring the Everglades and getting up close and personal with a variety of exotic animals: skunks, birds, snakes and alligators!
Many thanks to the team staff: Jeff MacLean, Todd Lace and Melissa Cookson. A huge thank you to Christie Cafik, the team’s manager who worked tirelessly to make sure that this trip was the success that it was.