Semi-finalists at Drew Doughty Invitational, News, U11, 2022-2023 (Halton Hurricanes AAA)

This Team is part of the 2022-2023 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Oct 17, 2022 | Ryan Folk | 237 views
Semi-finalists at Drew Doughty Invitational
For their first tournament of the season the U11 Halton Hurricanes stormed into London Ontario for the annual Drew Doughty Invitational from Oct 14 to 16.

Going 3-1-1 through five games, the team had a great showing that culminated in a hard fought semi-final and took the eventual champion London Jr. Knights into overtime. The game resulted in 3 broken sticks but no broken spirits as the Hurricanes held their heads high and look forward to continuing on the path toward their ultimate goal and the road to the red hats.

The team faced four other foes leading up to the semi’s, starting with the North Central Predators (W 8-0), Richmond Hill Coyotes (W 7-1), Mississauga Reps (W 7-2), and Brantford 99ers (Tie 3-3). 

Off the ice, the boys enjoyed some team bonding time where trading hockey cards in the hotel hallways appeared to have temporarily replaced mini-stick playing as the pastime of choice. They cheered loudly on a Friday night as the OHL’s Mississauga Steelheads defeated the London Knights 5-4 in overtime and met some of the unsung local heroes as a group of firefighters invited the team to check out their firetruck!

On the ice, game one versus the N.C. Predators started with Van Halen’s “Jump” blasting through the PA system and the boys responded by jumping out of the gate with the first goal of the game less than 4-minutes in. The Hurricanes would continue to pressure the Predators scoring one from battling for a rebound, two more thanks to beauty passes (first from RW to LW in the slot, a second from behind the net to the front of the crease), one on a power play, another from a nice faceoff win, and the final two coming from almost identical shots from the right point by two different d-men. By the end of the game, the ‘Canes outshot their opponents 30 to 10 to start the tournament with a shutout and an 8-0 win.

For game two the team would face the Coyotes on the large ice surface, home to the “Junior B” London Nationals. The first period began with good puck movement from each of the forward lines where just 4 minutes and 18 seconds into the game, one winger stole the puck and skated into the offensive zone going bar down blocker side to put the Hurricanes on the board at 1-0. With 3 more goals in each of the final two periods by 6 different players, the game would end in a 7-1 win. (Final shots: 27 to 8)

Game 3 against the Reps was a more physical affair with the Hurricanes enjoying considerable time on the power play thanks to some tripping calls and two double minors for cross checking and head contact. By the start of the third period, Halton was leading 6-0 before a brief lapse during 45 seconds of sloppy play that led to two quick goals against. With 20 seconds remaining in the game, a nice goal from a d-man would make the final 7-2 as the team outshot their opponents 30-10 for the second time in the tournament.

In game 4, the Brantford 99ers would prove to be the toughest test to date. Brantford came to play hard, battling for the puck from the moment it touched the ice yet the Hurricanes would take the initial lead going up 1-0 in the first few minutes of the game. In quick response, the 99ers would tie it up at the 4:04 mark and take a 2-2 lead with only 40 seconds remaining in the period. The teams would trade goals in the middle frame and entered the final period with Halton trailing 3-2. After a huddle at the bench, the Hurricanes evened the match just 37 seconds into the third period. Adding to the nail biting back and forth play, the ‘canes would take 3 straight penalties in an eight-minute span but held on for the tie at 3-3. (Total shots: 22 to 20 for Halton)

Entering the arena for a Sunday morning semi-final against the home town London Jr. Knights, the Hurricanes found themselves in a tight game that would be decided by the slimmest of margins. London would take the early lead with just over a minute left to play in the first period before Halton would answer back with a short handed goal to tie things up 1 minute and 38 seconds into the second. London would find the back of the net again toward the end of the period only to watch the Hurricanes knot things at 2-2 in the first 5 minutes of the third. With some great saves by the Halton goalie, regulation time ended with a trip to the finals still on the line. The ‘canes looked good to start a 10-minute overtime period with a close chance to win it before London would take the puck the other way and manage to score the game winner and move on to ultimately take the crown over the Elgin-Middlesex Canucks in the championship game. Final score: 3-2. Total shots: 22-21 for London 

After a largely successful first tournament, your Halton Hurricanes will return to the ice on Wednesday October 19th to face OMHA rivals the Burlington Eagles before travelling to Buffalo on the weekend for a double header against the Regals as the regular season schedule continues. 

 
Little known fact: Drew Doughty lost his front teeth after being hit by a puck, making the case for cages and visors on helmets that his Aunt says she’d like to see even NHLers wear between greeting other players and spectators at the arena entrance.