Now beyond the half way point in the year, there are 3 words
that can best describe the Minor Atom A team; determined, gritty and
passionate.
Up to this point the team is having a quietly
successful year.
Our season started off with a bang as the team entered the West Mall Early Bird tournament going 5-0 coming away as tournament champions.
The regular season began with two tough losses but the MAA team regrouped and went unbeaten in the next 3 games which set the stage for the teams defining characteristics. The first 10 games of the season were all close, in tight hockey games and the team produced a respectable 5-4-1 record. The boys then proceeded to their next venue; the Thanksgiving Classic Avalanche tournament.
Starting the tournament, the boys had two closely fought games against Bradford and Uxbridge (thanks to Gary Roberts for the autographs and pictures!) but came out 0-2 and needed to reel off 3 straight wins to get to the finals; and the team did just that! The team took care of Lorne Park and
Brampton and then proceeded to the semis in a rematch against Uxbridge. After 3 intense periods, the teams were tied 2-2 and even after 5 minutes of OT there was no winner. After a 4 skater shootout the MAA boys moved on, scoring 3 shootout goals to Uxbridge’s 0. Now in another rematch against, this time against Bradford, the team fought hard but fell 2-1 and took home the silver.
The team picked up the regular season maintaining an above .500 record and then headed southward to Fort Erie for the teams first travel tournament. After all of the poolside fun, hallway mini stick games (they even had a mini stick game against our eventual finals challenger!), and Anchor Bar wings and pizza, the boys made it to the finals with a 4-0 record. Once in the finals the team met a very strong Essex team and when it was all said and done, the boys took home another silver; bringing the total tournament tally to 1 gold and 2 silvers for the year.
With team building and fun in mind, on Saturday Nov. 15th the boys represented the HHMHA in Acton Santa Clause parade, braving the cold by riding the parade route on their scooters. Fun was had by all, especially when the day was topped with a victory over the Oakville Rangers 3-1.
Now at 10-7-4, the team plans to finish the year strong and complete its last tournament during the Christmas break playing in the Wayne Gretzgy Brantford tournament Dec. 27th-29th.
Good luck to everyone this year and Go Thunder Go!!!