Jan 18, 2017 | Shannon Gardiner | 3538 views
Midget A wins International Silverstick
The Bradford Bulldogs Midget A team travelled to Sarnia January
13th-15th to compete in the International Silver Stick. The team had qualified
in late December by winning the Brampton Regional. The International finals
were comprised of 12 teams from Ontario and US that had each won their regional
tournament.
Game 1 saw the Bulldogs take on the Caledonia Thunder. After a slow start the Bulldogs eventually found their legs and get the 3-1 win. Goals from Curtis Dubeau (2) and Sean Breedon. Assists to Derian Carter (3), Joe Heath, Spencer Ripley and Dubeau.
Game 2 vs the Leigh Valley Phantoms from Pennsylvania saw the Bulldogs take control from the opening face-off and cruise to a 7-0 win. Goals from Ripley (2), Dubeau, Nick Vechiarelli, Isaac Moniz, Jadon McDonald and Phillipe Lafreniere. Assists to Dubeau (2), Carter, Heath, Moniz, Lafreniere, Vechiarelli, Brett Young and Garren Kilpatrick. Shutout to Noah Duva.
Game 3 opponent was the AA Port Huron Flags. After a first period scoreless battle the team slowly took over the game and were able to pull away in 3rd for a 6-2 win. Goals from Ripley (4), Breedon and Young. Assists to Carter (2), Moniz, Heath, McDonald, Breedon, Vechiarelli and Jack Slade.
Semi-Final
In the most anticipated match of the tournament the Bulldogs took on the highly favoured Lorne Park/Clarkson Wild. The Wild currently ranked #2 in the province came out strong and the Bulldogs were down early by scores of 1-0 and 2-1. Discipline paid off however and the Bulldogs took advantage of power play opportunities to grab a 5-2 lead heading into the third. Clarkson scored late but the Bulldogs sealed the deal with an empty net goal to make it a 6-3 final. Goals by Lafreniere, Moniz, Dubeau, Beadle, Carter and Patrick Chusroskie. Assists to Ripley (2), Vechiarelli (2), Slade, Lafreniere, Kilpatrick, Dubeau, Heath and McDonald. Unbelievable double stack pad save by Mitch Giglio to keep the game 3-2 in the 2nd.
Finals
Playing in front of a packed arena the Bulldogs took on the hometown Sarnia Jr Sting. The Sting got up 1-0 early on a fluke goal but once again the Bulldogs settled in and had a 3-1 lead after 2 periods. Midway through the 3rd period Sarnia took advantage of a 5-3 powerplay to close the gap to 1. The last 5 minutes was a back and forth with nail biting finish but the Bulldogs hung on for the 3-2 win. Goals by Dubeau, Lafreniere and Ripley from Slade, Breedon, Carter and Ripley. Nick Veccharelli and Curtis Dubeau were named to the all-star team and Curtis was named tournament MVP.
Congratulations the the players for this huge accomplishment and the first team from Bradford to win an International final in 20 years. Picture- Back row L to R Wayne Young (Manager), Dave Heath (Assistant Coach), Andrew Kennedy (Assistant Coach), Matthew Backman, Matthew Ventura, Jack Slade, Derian Carter, Jacob Beadle, Spencer Ripley, Sean Breedon, Brett Young, Patrick Chusroskie, Phillippe Lafreniere, Cameron Preece (Head Coach), Al Luciw (Trainer). Second Row L to R Evan Barrosso, Nick Vecchiarelli, Joe Heath, Jadon McDonald, Garren Kilpatrick, Isaac Moniz, Curtis Dubeau, Nick Breedon (Team Mascot), Blair Cole (Assistant Coach). Front Row Noah Duva, Mitchell Giglio