Eastern Ontario Wild’s Major Midget AAA Team Make History!

This past weekend, the Wild’s Major Midget AAA Team travelled west down the 401 to compete in the Pickering Panthers AAA Hockey Tournament.
 
During round robin action, the Wild went undefeated by defeating the  Upper Canada Cyclones (5-2); Hearst Elans (5-0) and drawing even against the #2 provincially ranked (www.myhockeyrankings.com) Ajax Pickering Raiders (1-1) and the Central Ontario Wolves (3-3).
 
With a 2-0-2 record (w-l-t), the 2^nd place Wild faced off in the semi-finals against their local nemesis, the Upper Canada Cyclones, who finished in 3^rd place. The match-up provided the spectators with the much anticipated excitement of a fast paced, physical and exciting semi-final.  With the Wild trailing 3-2 with 90 seconds remaining in the game the Wild’s coaching staff called a timeout and proceeded to pull their goalie for an extra attacker. With the face-off deep in the Cyclones zone, the Wild quickly gained control of the puck and tied the game at the 45 second mark. The game ended in a 3-3 draw and the winner was determined by shoot-out.
 
During the shoot-out, Wild goaltender Cole Ceci stoned all 3 Cyclone shooters; and, the game was ultimately won by the Wild’s last shooter, Brayden Laidlaw, who gently tucked the shoot-out winner through the legs of the Cyclones’ net minder.
 
In the finals, the Wild faced off again against the powerhouse Ajax Pickering Panthers, whom had only lost 2 games all season. The Wild’s coaching staff was concerned that the players may not have any gas left in the tank following the hard fought semi-final game against the Cyclones and; furthermore, they did not have a back-up goalie. During round robin action, goaltender Miguel Daoust suffered a fractured ankle as a result of a slash received behind the play from a Hearst Elans player.
 
The finals lived up to everyone’s expectations as a fast paced and entertaining hockey game. In the 2^nd period, the Wild took a 1-0 lead which the players would not relinquish as their overall hard working and stellar Ceci performance enabled them to skate to a 4-1 victory.
 
Not only is this the 1^st ever tournament championship by a Wild Major Midget AAA team, it is also the 1^st AAA tournament final/championship experienced by all of the team's players. Coaches, Steve Malette and Rick Legault, are proud of the team’s accomplishment and being a part of this historic moment for both the players and the Wild AAA Hockey Club.  Congratulations Team !