The RBC Dominion Securities Atom AA Pete’s
traveled to Detroit over the weekend to compete for the Canadian entry in the
Nations Cup. Throughout this tournament
Canadian teams face off vs. American teams building points for their respected
countries. After loosing to Chicago in last
year in the Championship the team was looking for revenge against their
American counterparts this year.
Friday morning they started the tournament with a great game against the Cleveland Barons AA team. They came out with a great team effort and all players were skating, which lead to a convincing 3-0 win for the Canadian side. Casey Richardson, Griffin Rutherford, and Hunter Young scored with assists going to Jack Davies with two, Aedan Temple, Travis Heffernan, Kaleb Jamieson and Katie Belk with singles. Antonio Bianco had the win in net, making many outstanding saves for the shutout.
The second game Friday evening saw them take the ice vs. a talented Steel City Renegades team from Pittsburgh. This was a back and fourth battle that saw many shifts in momentum, however Kyle Duda scored the go ahead and game winner with 2 minutes left in the game to secure a 5-4 win . Others goals were tallied by Caiden Rogers, Hunter Young, Eddie Chambers and Kaleb Jamieson. Assists went to Blake Moncrief with two, Jack Davies, Katie Belk and Aedan Temple with single helpers. Nathen Sorichetti was in net and helped secure the win down the stretch with two great breakaway saves.
After a 2-0 start the team faced off vs. the toughest competition yet and highly ranked Cleveland Jr. Lumberjacks. The teams were very evenly matched throughout the game but the Pete’s representing the Canadian side were able to score twice off face offs and hold on to a 2-1 win. Griffin Rutherford score off a Caiden Rogers faceoff win and assist to open the scoring. The after Cleveland netted the equalizer shortly after, a Blayden Davis shot was tipped by Jack Davies for the winning goal, the other assist and faceoff win went to Katie Belk on the same play. Again Antonio Bianco was stellar in net to secure the third win and 6 point for the Canadian side.
The undefeated Pete’s faced off a short time later Saturday afternoon and faced a high scoring Chicago Bruins team for a fourth game in 26 hours. This was a penalty filled affair, seeing both teams have extended power play time, however Chicago took advantage and handing the Pete’s their first loss 5-1. Blake Moncrief scored the lone Peterborough goal with assist going to Hunter Young.
The Pete’s finished second on the Canadian side and moved to the finals Sunday vs. St. Peter’s Spirit from St. Louis Missouri. With the Canadian side holding the higher ranking in the Nation Cup overall standings they stared the finals as home team and with a 2-min power play. The team didn’t waste any time sending a message they were ready to play as Travis Heffernan found the back of the net 10 second into the game on a pass from Griffin Rutherford and Katie Belk. The lead didn’t last long as St. Peter’s scored to tie it on their own power play at the 6-minute mark of the first. The teams traded goals throughout the middle frame as Katie Belk scored on a give and go from Travis Heffernan and Jack Davis to tie the game at 2. However the speedy Spirit team from St. Louis scored the eventual game winner on a short-handed break late in the game.
This was a great experience for all players and parents who took part. The team’s next action is this Saturday vs. Markham Waxers at the Coke Cola Coliseum in Toronto before heading off to the Oshawa Tournament in two weeks.
Team members include:
Caiden Rogers, Blake Moncrief, Katie Belk, Nathan Sorichetti, Antonio Bianco, Cameron Reyolds, Blayden Davis, Jack Davies, Eddie Chambers, Aedan Temple, Ben Gusso, Griffin Rutherford, Travis Heffernan, Kyle Duda, Casey Richardson, Hunter Young and Kaleb Jamieson
Coaches: Chris Moncrief, Patrick Ralph, Mike Heffernan, Todd Rogers and Tim Rutherford