BANTAMS SEMI-FINALIST @ 2012 ALL-ONTARIO BANTAM AAA CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Wild’s Bantam team demonstrated a lot of heart and determination to advance to the Final Four of the 2012 All-Ontario AAA Bantam Championships held in Vaughan, Ontario, during the week of March 26-31, 2012.
For the families and friends that travelled to the GTA to cheer on the Wild, they witnessed some very exciting and thrilling elite calibre hockey from the strong field of seven teams that travelled from across Ontario to compete. Adversity always finds its way into all championship tournaments; however, unfortunately for the Wild, adversity affected the outcome of two games and affected their overall point standings and positioning.
During the round robin game against the Toronto Marlies, the Wild broke the scoreless deadlock in the 2nd period with Brett McKenzie tucking in a rebound t the far side of the Marlies net minder. The goal was disallowed as the referee claimed that he blew the whistle prior to the puck crossing the line. This call had a detrimental affect to the outcome of the game as the Wild lost to the Marlies by a score of 3-2.
In game #5 of the Wild’s round robin action, a win against the host team, the Vaughan Kings, would guarantee the Wild a spot as a Final Four team and advancement to semi-final action. With the game tied 2-2 and less than a minute to play in the game, the Wild’s Nicholas Hamre chipped in a rebound up and over the Vaughan goalie. The arena erupted from the cheer from the Wild fans; however, the goal was disallowed as the referee had blown his whistle prior to the shot taking the place as he thought that the puck was in the goalie’s possession. The gamed ended in a 2-2 draw.
The Wild’s coaching staff received apologies from both the OHF representatives and referee with respect to the errors as it became evident that the calls may affect the Wild in advancing to semi-final action. Fortunately for the Wild, their win-loss-tied record of 2-2-2 was sufficient to earn them a 4th place finish and advanced them to semi-final action against the # 1 team – Toronto Marlies.
In semi-final action, the Wild came out flying and outplayed their opponents in the 1st period of the game, which ended in a 1-1 tie. Due to poor ice conditions at the Al Palladini Sports Complex, the organizing committee decided that floods would occur after every period. This decision may have been to the detriment of the Wild as momentum took a turn for the worse in the 2nd period. The Marlies came out on fire and scored 4 unanswered goals. The Marlies (the ultimate 2012 All-Ontario AAA Champions) went on to defeat the Wild by a 6-1 score.
Making it to the Final Four/Semi-Finalists of the 2012 All-Ontario Bantam AAA Championship is a successful final chapter to the team’s storybook season!
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