2023 Barrie AAA Challenge Cup Semifinalists, 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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Feb 17, 2023 | Ryan Folk | 377 views
2023 Barrie AAA Challenge Cup Semifinalists
Through blowing snow and icy roads, the U11 Halton Hurricanes arrived at the Barrie Challenge (Feb 3-5) to begin their weekend tournament against a familiar foe - the Markham Waxers. 

The two teams had already faced off 3 times this season, including 19 days prior as the 'Canes battled to a 4-3 win in the semi- final game at the Taylor Hall Tournament.  This time however, the Halton side would leave no doubt as they stormed to a 6-1 lead through the first two periods on their way to a decisive 7-2 victory. 

With a win under their belts, the team ventured back out to the snowy country roads on the way to the Nottawasaga Inn Resort & Ice Centre where the Soo Jr Greyhounds were waiting.   The Hurricanes jumped out to a 3-0 lead before a frantic 4-minutes had the 'Hounds nipping at their skates down 4-3 at the start of the third period.  Refusing to be caught, Halton shifted into another gear, adding four more goals in the final frame for an 8-3 final on this Friday evening.

Saturday's schedule had the Hurricanes set to face the Chatham Kent Cyclones and Toronto Titans on their way to a perfect 4-0 record in the round robin stage.  Back at the arena less than 12 hours since their game the night before, the battle of the natural disasters showed these Hurricanes to be stronger than a cyclone as they breezed to a 9-2 win.  With a boost of confidence to begin the afternoon, the 'Canes almost had the wind knocked out of them as they quickly trailed the surprising Titans 3-0 through two periods.  Yet a seven minute surge put Halton back on the right side of the scoreboard as they hung on to win a close 4-3 game before heading back to the hotel for a pizza and mini-sticks party.

Sunday once again saw Halton match up with some frequent dance partners on the ice beginning with the Burlington Eagles in the quarter final before a tight 5-4 goal advantage would carry the Hurricanes to a semi-final vs. the Oakville Rangers in a battle for the ages.  After putting up back-to-back goals early in the game, Halton surrendered their lead during a 5-on-3 penalty kill before Oakville would go up 3-2 to start the third period.  With regulation time winding down, the 'Canes tied the game at three's before heading to OT.  Playing 4-on-4 in the first overtime period, followed by another at 3-on-3, the teams would head into a third overtime frame before Oakville broke the stalemate handing the Hurricanes their only loss of the weekend 4-3 in triple OT.

(Note: the home town Barrie Colts would go on to defeat the Rangers 3-0 in the championship game.)

With their final tournament complete for the 2022-23 season, the Hurricanes hold their heads high with 1 Championship (Taylor Hall Cup) and 2 Semi-final showings taking both to overtime (at the Drew Doughty Tournament and Barrie Challenge).

Final Scores in Barrie:
7-2 win vs Markham Waxers
8-3 win vs. Soo Jr. Greyhounds
9-2 win vs Chatham Kent Cyclones
4-3 win vs Toronto Titans
5-4 win vs Burlington Eagles
4-3 loss (OT) vs Oakville Rangers