The South Bruce Bantam Reps have been proudly showing their medals after winning the Kincardine Regional Silver Stick on Monday, December 30th.
The boys began play in the tournament on Friday, December 27th against TCDMHA. It was a slow start to the game, we believe they were still full of Christmas Turkey! TCDMHA scored first, late in the first period. Our boys answered this goal but not until the half way mark in the second period. This goal was scored by Owen Schiestel, assisted by Logan Tolton. TCDMHA took the lead again in the third, but we managed to tie it up with 3 minutes left on a goal scored by Nick Kieswetter which was unassisted. The game would end in a 2-2 tie.
After an afternoon break, the boys saw action again later in the day against Minto. This game proved to be very different from their first, giving goalie Zach Girdler a shut-out, in a final score of 6 to 0. It didn't take long for our boys to get on the scoreboard. Their first goal came 3 minutes into the game thanks to Wes Diemert who was assisted Nick Kieswetter. It took the boys until the second period to score again. This time from Nick Kieswetter who was unassisted. After keeping the fans on the edge of their seats the boys sealed the game with four goals in the third period. These goals were scored by Owen Schiestel assisted by Caleb Tolton, Nick Kieswetter assisted by Logan Tolton, Wes Diemert assisted by Mitch Borth and Logan Tolton assisted by Caleb Reuber and Nick Kieswetter.
The team took a well deserved rest on the Saturday and returned to action on the Sunday morning against Norwich. This game saw the team score four goals in the first period. Our first goal was scored within the first minute of play by Nick Kieswetter assisted by Mitch Borth. The second goal was scored again by Nick Kieswetter assisted by Logan Tolton and Wes Diemert. It was only 3 minutes later when our third goal was scored by Logan Tolton assisted by Ty Turnbull and Rhys Martin. The period wrapped up with one more goal scored by Logan Tolton which was unassisted. The boys headed into the second period with a comfortable lead and managed to score at the mid-way point of the period on a goal by Ty Turnbull assisted by Caleb Reuber. Norwich managed to score their one and only goal in the third period. However, South Bruce answered the goal with one of their own near the end of the period with Jared Liesemer scoring, assisted by Rhys Martin. This game would end with a 6 to 1 victory for South Bruce advancing them to the semi-finals.
After the boys and parents enjoyed a team lunch, it was time to hit the ice for the semi-final game where they met up with Minto once again. It took our boys almost the entire first period to get the puck in the net, with our first goal being scored by Wes Diemert assisted by Nick Kieswetter. The game kept the fans on the edge of their seats as there was no scoring by either team in the second period of this penalty free game. The team was able to have a break between the second and third periods of this semi-final game, unlike those played in the round robin. This rest (and coaches talk) proved beneficial as the boys came out "full-steam ahead". Our first of three, third period goals was scored by Ty Turnbull assisted by Caleb Reuber and Rhys Martin. The next goal was scored by Rhys Martin assisted by Caleb Reuber and Mitch Borth. Goalie Zach Girdler did a great job in keeping the Minto Mad Dogs from scoring. The boys sealed the win an unassisted goal scored in the final minute by Jared Liesemer. This win of 4 to 0 over the Minto Mad Dogs would move the team into the championship game.
The championship game was played on Monday, December 30th. The South Bruce Bantam Reps would face-off against the Flesherton Golden Hawks. This game was a much more physical game than the others. Both teams took the entire first period to become acquainted as no scoring took place in the period. It was 3 minutes into the second period when Nick Kieswetter scored to put South Bruce on the scoreboard. His goal was assisted by Logan Tolton. The second period was winding down when Logan Tolton scored, assisted by Wes Diemert to put the team ahead 2 to 0 to end the period going into the break. The team came into the third period with one thing on the their mind, to win the game and take home the banner! It only took 47 seconds into the third period for the boys to score on an unassisted goal by Nick Kieswetter. Not even a minute later, they scored again. This time by Jared Liesemer assisted by Ty Turnbull. Their final goal in the championship game would come from Wes Diemert assisted by Logan Tolton. At this time the team was ahead 5 to 0 and it looked like another shut-out for goalie Zach Girdler. However, the Golden Hawks managed to get one into the mesh with just 2 minutes left in the game. The South Bruce Bantam Reps would take the game with a score of 5 to 1 and win the Bantam "C" Championship.
Way to go team, well done and congratulations!!!
The Bantams now move onto the International Silver Stick Finals in Forest on January 24, 25 and 26th. The Bantams make the third team this year from South Bruce heading to International play in Forest. We wish the Pee Wee and Midget Rep teams much success when they play on January 10, 11 and 12th.