The Toros Novice AA boys took to Ottawa from
December 15th to 17th for the 14th Annual
Ottawa Senators Novice Holiday Classic.
Their first game on Friday saw the Toros face off against the Stittsville Rams. With McLean in net, Stittsville came out strong in the first period scoring a quick goal. The Toros fought back quickly to settle the score in the first with a goal by Baker, assisted by Boyd. The second period saw some great saves by McLean, with another goal for the Toros by Boyes, assisted by DeBoo. The Toros dominated the third period with goals by Dobbs, Holla, Best and Boyes assisted by Holla and DeBoo) securing a 6-1 win. The player of the game puck was awarded to DeBoo for his three assists and solid offensive play.
Saturday morning saw our Toro boys against the Pembroke Kings. The Toros came out hard in the first period with beautiful goals by Holla and DeBoo, assisted by Dobbs and Dwyer. The Toros dominated the second period with strong offensive play and a goal by Dobbs, assisted by Alferez. In the third period, the Toros kept up their streak with another goal by Dobbs, assisted by Legacy. Thanks to great goaltending and stellar defense, the Toros took the game 4-0 securing the shut out for Thomas. The player of the game puck was awarded to Dobbs who was the deserving recipient with two goals and one assist.
Saturday afternoon the Toros played the Kanata Blazers. The Blazers came out strong in the first with a quick goal, but the Toros came back hard in the second with a nice goal by Boyd, assisted by Baker. The game was even going into the third, but the Toros were able to secure a 4-1 win thanks to solid goaltending by McLean and goals from Dobbs, Griffin and Boyd, with assists from Stirling and Baker. The player of the game puck was awarded to Boyd for his one goal and one assist, and solid game play. The undefeated Toros finished round robin play in first place and earned a bye into the semi-finals.
On Sunday afternoon the Toros faced off against the Milton Winterhawks in the second game of the semi-finals. Both teams came out strong during the first period, but with solid goaltending by Thomas the first period saw no score. During the second, Dobbs scored the first goal of the game, assisted by Holla, but Milton came back with two quick goals. DeBoo, assisted by Plath, was able to even up the score by the end of the second period. The pressure was on going into the third. DeBoo and Griffin got two more goals off securing a 4-2 win and a spot in the final game for the Toros. The player of the game puck deservedly went to Thomas for his incredible goaltending.
Sunday evening the undefeated Toros met Downsview in the final game of the tournament. The first period saw a quick goal from Downsview, followed by a goal by Holla only 8 seconds later to even up the score. McLean was stellar between the pipes for the remainder of the first and second periods, refusing to let Downsview take the lead. Thomas moved to the net for the third period and shut Downsview down hard, refusing to let in any goals. The third period ended with the score still tied, and after 5 minutes of 3 on 3 overtime, the game was still tied 1-1 forcing a shootout. With a goal by DeBoo and three saves by Thomas the Toros deservedly became the Tier 2 champions of the Annual Ottawa Senators Novice Holiday Classic. McLean was awarded the player of the game puck for his incredible goaltending.
Congratulations to our Novice AA Toro boys for their impressive showing and well deserved first tournament win!!