Jan 15, 2024 | Troy Vanderburg | 502 views
The U10 Haldimand River Kings are International Silver Stick Champions
On January 11th to 14th the U10 Haldimand River Kings competed in the International Silver Stick Tournament in Newmarket Ontario. They secured this birth by winning the South Western Regional in Owen Sound back in November. This tournament would have all the regional winners from across Ontario and the USA. This would be a tournament that they will never forget.
Our first game was against the Mount Brydges Cougars on Thursday afternoon. The boys were ready to play and they knew that the Cougars would be a tough opponent. Early in the first period the River Kings put one by the Cougars goalie but Mount Brydges replied at the end of the period to tie the game up at 1-1. During the second period the Cougars took the lead but Haldimand was quick to tie it back up to make the score 2-2 after the second. In the third the River Kings would take the lead but with time running down the Cougars tied it back up. The final score would be 3-3.
On Friday we would have two games. One against the Rochester Rattlers from Michigan and the other against the Newmarket Renegades. The boys knew that with an early tie that we needed to win some games to keep our tournament hopes alive. The first game was against the Rattlers and the Kings were ready too put their foot on the gas. The Rattlers weren't able to slow down the River Kings and the final score ended up 11-1. Now on to the Renegades and with this River King team full of confidence they continued their strong play and ended the game with a 11-1 win.
Friday evening the Silver Stick opening ceremony's took place where 70 teams would be represented on the ice. This is also a time for all the participating players to trade their team pins with other players as this is an International Silver Stick tradition. There was also a skills competition with our very own Silas Zeller tacking home the U10 shoot out trophy.
On Saturday we would round out our Round Robin play against the Mississippi Thunder Kings. This game would be a tough game for the boys as they played this team earlier in the year in the South Simcoe tournament championship where it came down to a shootout. The boys were ready and came out on fire. They put the pressure on them and were up 3-0 after the first. It was the same in the second but the Mississippi goalie was keeping his team in the game and after two periods the score was 4-0. Haldimand proved to be the better team and the game ended 5-2 for the River Kings. This would put us tied for first in our division with 3 wins and a tie and off to the semi finals later that night.
Our Semi Finals would be played against the Mount Clements Metro Jets from Michigan. The Jets ended up first in their division so the boys would need to be ready and the coaching staff would make sure of it. The first period was end to end action with both teams wanting this win. Haldimand was able to get the first goal of the game but the Jets were able to reply with one of their own and after one period the score was 1-1. The second period the Kings seemed to find a second gear and were able to pot two more and go into the third with a score of 3-1. The Kings found the back of the net again in the third but the Jets responded shortly after to put the game to 4-2. With 3 minutes left the Kings got in to penalty trouble and were down two men. The Jets pulled their goalie so it would be 6 on 3. The Kings knew they needed to hold the fort and with some key saves and relentless effort were able to close out the game 4-2. It was now off to the finals for Championship Sunday!!
Haldimand would now face off against a strong South Oxford Storm club for the coveted Silver Stick. The game started with a lot of physical play and great passing by both teams. The River Kings knew that they would need to bring their 'A' game if they were to beat this Storm team. The Storm were on the board first with an early goal but close to the end of the period the Kings were able to solve the Storm goalie to tie the game 1-1 after one period. The second show more of the same with rough play but the boys didn't back down and got a goal to go up 2-1. This would be short lived as South Oxford tied it to go into the third 2-2. The third was back and forth with the Kings getting one at the half way mark. With time running down and the clock under two minutes the Storm were able to get one of their own to tie it up 3-3. It was off to overtime and it would be played 3 on 3. The Kings would not let this opportunity slip through their fingers and were able to net one at the start of overtime to win the championship 4-3.
The U10 River Kings would like to thank their parents, grandparents, family and friends for all of their support to win this championship. Without you guys this wouldn't have been possible.