U16 Blues Lose Heartbreaker in Semi-Finals

The U16 UCC Blues hockey team finished 2nd place this year after a successful regular season. This set up collision course with perennial neighbourhood rivals St. Mike's in the first round of the CISAA playoffs.

 

The Blues were confident of victory due to a favourable record against their opponent, but they still knew they had a tough game coming to them.

 

The first period was evenly contested, with UCC enjoying a slight edge in shots and physical play. The score was 0-0 after 1.

 

The 2nd was more hotly contested, with St. Mike's garnering more shots and dangerous chances, and the Blues chasing and hitting more. Ben Atkinson was a standout for the Blues, as he has been all season, but ultimately a flukey goal on St. Mike's final shot of the period gave them a 1-0 lead. A hard clearing attempt by the defense at the tail end of a long shift bounced directly off a set of shin pads and into our own net. It was a bitter pill to swallow but the team knew that they were still playing a strong game in the midst of the bad bound. UCC goalie Dylan Meanchos was a difference maker leading up to this goal, as a number of the SMC shots ending up being 10 bell saves. Dylan was superb and was giving the team life.

 

As a result of the fortunate goal for SMC, the 3rd period was do or die for the Blues. Coach Chops juggled the lines to reunite top offensive players Edward Moskowitz and Ben Atkinson with winger Luke Pitblado in an effort to spark a goal. This gamble worked. On the Blues' 3rd shot on net in the period, the tandem of Moskowitz and Atkinson combined for a beautiful marker giving UCC new life. Unfortunately, this advantage was short lived, as SMC was able to apply pressure in the UCC zone and eventually score on perfect setup to an open man in the slot. Goaltender Meanchos was acrobatic all game, but he had no chance on this goal. The Blues pulled their goalie with nearly 2 minutes remaining, but a defiant St. Mike's team worked hard to score the empty net goal and put the game out of reach following an errant pass. Many on the bench were stunned, including your's truly, but captain Moskowitz and Atkinson jumped on the ice and went back to work, scoring another to get back to 3-2, but with no time left to tie it up, the Blues lost.

 

Unsung heroes of the game were Nathan Hannam, a cerebral and highly skilled defenceman who does not always show up on the score sheet, but is impactful every shift and Zain Assaf, a heart and soul type of player who plays with his heart on his sleeve and always stands up for his teammates.

 

The coaches would like to thank the players for their efforts during the games and practices this season, but more for the strength of their characters. It has been a pleasure working with a motivated, honest and likeable group. We have loved every minute of the year together as a group.