39th Annual Groundhog RECAP!!!
Wow,
it’s already been 2 weeks since the 39th Annual Groundhog Tournament
which was held January 6,7 & 8th. With 27 teams, 48 games, and 95% of the games
having a 3 goal differential or less, it was an extremely competitive weekend
of hockey !!!!A huge shout out of THANKS to our tournament convenors, behind the scene helpers, Medal sponsors, Ice sponsors, and Ridgetown Legion BR. 243 for the meal preparation, without any of you this tournament would not have been the success it was. Thank you to all the coaches, trainers, bench staff and players for showing great sportsmanship during this tournament. What a way to celebrate our nations favourite pass time!!!!! What made this even more special was that 3 out of our 4 teams made it to their division championship game.
In the Bantam AE division, our own Howard Mutual South Kent Lighning were eliminated in an intense OT semi-final. The championship game in this division was between the Lambeth Lancers and the Belle River Canadiens who had a matchup earlier in the tourney. The Belle River Canadiens ended up with the 4-3 win!!!!
In the Bantam REP division, the final was between the Sinteris South Kent Lightning and the Belmont Rangers. Sinteris SK Lightning came to the final with 2 wins and 1 tie, while the Belmont Rangers had 3 wins. This was the first meeting between these 2 teams in the tourney. Sinteres SK Lightning came out with the 3-1 win.
In the Midget AE division, the final was between Engie South Kent Lightning and the Port Colbourne Sailors. Both teams entered the final with 2 wins and 1 tie. The tie was from earlier in the tournament against each other. After end to end action the final was decided with Engie SK winning 3-2.
In the Midget REP division, the final was between Vantel Construction South Kent Lightning and the Seaforth Stars. These 2 teams meet earlier in the tournament with Vantel Constuction SK Lightning winning 5-0. The final however would be a different story. After end to end action and Seaforth taking the game to OT, the Lightning were just too gased to get the win. Seaforth took the OT game winner 3-2.
Don't forget to check out the gallery links for pictures of all the Champions and finalists!!!! (located on Groundhog tournament page, photo galleries)
See you at the rink and looking forward to making next year's tournament which turns the BIG 40 even better!!!!!
Jeff Betterley
SKMHA Groundhog Tournament Convenor