Major Bantam AA

After a successful semi-final appearance in the Niagara Early Bird Tournament and a good start to the Lakeshore league campaign for the 2015-16 season, the Kingston Canadians Bantam AA team boarded the bus for the home of the Liberty Bell, the Philadelphia Flyers, Rocky Balboa and Philly cheesesteaks for the MyHockey Liberty Cup Fall Classic 23-25 October.

The round robin opener saw the Canadians lined up against the Ramapo Saints from New York. After getting over the bus legs in the first period, the team got on its horses and dominated play through the second and third period. However, the Saints goaltender turned away scoring opportunity after scoring opportunity leaving them with a 2-1 lead going into the final 2:00 minutes of play. With 49 seconds left to play and the goalie pulled, and with traffic in front of the net, a riser from the high slot by Isaac Pascoal found its way into the back of the net to tie up the game. It would end that way.

Day two saw the Bantam AAs go to work in a big way. They thoroughly dominated the Potomac Patriots Team out of Virginia with a 9-1 win. Three hours later the team would be on the ice again versus the Palisades Predators Bantam AA team from New York. While the first period ended tied at one, the forecheck pressure and dominant puck possession started to pay off, with the Canadians pulling off a convincing 6-1 win.

The tournament final on Sunday would be a rematch of the 2-2 game versus the Ramapo Saints. However, the first period would not be played the same way. A ferocious forecheck in the Saint’s offensive zone and solid team defence through the neutral zone generated many offensive chances and a 3-0 lead by the end of the first period. However, two quick defensive lapses in the second period allowed the Saints to close within one goal. The Saints goalie was again outstanding, keeping his team in the game, but the Saints could not generate offensive pressure due to a solid Canadian’s team defence and a strong puck possession game. The game would end 3-2 in favour of the Canadians and their first tournament win of the season.

Other highlights of the trip included climbing the famous “Rocky” steps, indulging in a philly cheesesteak at Gino’s and Joe’s Steakhouses, both Philly institutions and a Flyers/Rangers tilt at the Wells Fargo Center that went to a shootout. Congratulations to the team on a great effort and many thanks to the manager, coaches and parents for a great weekend of fun and hockey! The Bantam AAs get back to business with league play this weekend versus Clarington and Peterborough, leading up to the Kingston Canadian’s home tournament the weekend after.