Jan 30, 2023 | ARedden | 212 views
Competing with the top teams
The Duvanco Homes U12AA Belleville Bulls proved they can compete with the best.
This past weekend the Bulls battled hard at the International Silver Stick Finals held in Newmarket. They competed against 9 other teams from across Ontario and the USA, all ranked high and champions of separate regional Silver Stick tournaments.
The Bulls quickly proved they're a top contender by kicking-off the finals with a 2-1 win against the Toronto East Enders Ticats. Then on Friday in Game 2 they faced the eventual champion London Knights and lost a close game by just 2-1. Later in Game 3 the Bulls met the Woolwich Wildcats and after a long battle the teams ended the game with a 4-4 tie.
The Bulls were quite excited to play the Ottawa Valley Silver Seven in the fourth and final game, a team that has been regularly ranked quite high according to myhockeyrankings.com. It was a back and forth game, but the Bulls came out on top with a 4-3 win, and that put them in the semi final! They finished with a respectable 2-1-1 record.
For the semi final on Sunday morning the Bulls met the HoneyBaked Gold based out of Farmington Hills, Michigan. This was their first game against an American team. Both teams battled it out in the first, but with 1:08 left the Bulls received a penalty. The HoneyBaked Gold then capitalized on the power play quickly just 14 seconds in and took a 1-0 lead. They would score again later in the second period.
Despite being down 2-0, the Bulls charged ahead. Early in the third the Bulls would finally get on the scoreboard followed by another goal a couple minutes later to tie the game. The goalies at both ends then shut the door which forced the game into overtime!
With a birth to the semi final on the line, the teams got to play some 3 on 3 hockey based on tournament rules. Both teams received penalties close together in overtime which later ended up converting play to 4 on 4 hockey. Then with 4:59 left in overtime HoneyBaked Gold managed to score and win the game.
While it was a disappointing finish to the tournament, the entire U12AA team should be proud of themselves for competing hard, winning and finishing in the final four among some amazing and tough teams from both sides of the border.
ON DECK: The Bulls return home this Wednesday, February 1 to host the Kingston Canadians in Lakeshore League action. Puck drops at 6pm in the Mackay Arena. Go Bulls Go!!!