Nov 15, 2015 | Luke Holmes | 1326 views
Aylmer Tournament Results
Novice Rep attended the Aylmer Fall Rep Challenge this weekend. The team played hard and showed much improved teamwork throughout the tournament.
The Lightning opened the tourney on Friday with a game against the Ilderton Jets. The Jets held a 1-0 lead midway through the second period until Nolan Mallory tied it assisted by Brett Hardy. In the third period Ilderton would score twice taking a 3-1 lead. Ali Altiman brought the Lightning to within one assisted by Paiton Desangher. Late in the third, goaltender Russell Vaughan would be pulled for an extra attacker and the Jets put the game away scoring into the empty net for a 4-2 victory. Defenceman Cohen Kirkwood was named player of the game for South Kent.
Saturday morning saw the team in action against the Delhi Rockets. The squad played their best game of the season defeating the Rockets 5-0. Russell Vaughan kept the opposition scoreless and Griffyn Taylor maintained the shutout after relieving Vaughan midway through the game. Brett Hardy opened the scoring in the second period finishing off a passing play from Luke Holmes. The goal ignited the Lightning offence with Paiton Desangher scoring unassisted and Morgan Paine adding a tally assisted by Ali Altiman. The three goals were scored in a span of 2 minutes 27 seconds. In the third Holmes would score finishing a play assisted by Vincent Vaughan and Desangher. Morgan Paine would bury his second of the game on a breakaway to finish the scoring. Defenceman Darric Brown was awarded the player of the game honours due to the terrific defending skills he showed throughout the contest.
After a 3 hour break the team returned to the rink for a matchup against the Lucan Irish to determine which team would advance to the A Division semi finals. The Irish were a tough opponent but the Lightning were able to put together a great team effort and win the game 2-1. Luke Holmes set up Nolan Mallory to open the scoring in the first period. Mallory would continue his fine play in the second period scoring unassisted on an end to end rush to pad the lead. Goaltenders Taylor and Vaughan made numerous saves in an attempt at back to back shutouts, but Lucan was able to break that bid with 5 minutes remaining in the game. Vaughan shut the door the rest of the way and the Lightning were on their way to the semi finals to face the host Aylmer Flames. Mallory was recognized for his great play receiving the player of the game award.
Sunday morning the Flames were hot early and took a 3-0 lead by the middle of the second period. Morgan Paine awoke the Lightning, scoring a powerplay goal by banging home a Cohen Kirkwood rebound. The team valiantly tried to mount a comeback. Paiton Desangher rang the goalpost on a breakaway and Ali Altiman was a force but could not beat the Aylmer goaltender. Aylmer was able to maintain the 3-1 lead and move on to the finals to face Ilderton. Paine was named player of the game for South Kent.
The group showed much improvement with their passing, forechecking, backchecking, and defensive play. Goaltenders Russell Vaughan and Griffyn Taylor deserve extra recognition for their fantastic play throughout the tournament. Sam Knowler played his best games of the season as well showing a lot of determination. Aiden Campbell showed very good forechecking and backchecking skills, disrupting the opposition all weekend. Brett Stonehouse played aggressively on defence frustrating offenses all tourney long with his arguably legal tactics. Defenceman Wesley Mifflin provided much improved positioning on his part to help the team have success this weekend. The coaching staff is proud of the players commitment to playing better as a team and for playing with such determination in every game.