Submitted By: Graham Thompson, Assist. Trainer
The
Prince Edward County Milk Tournament of 2014 will be long remembered by the players and their families as the time
Huntsville Atom AE Otters struggled early, dug deep, and became champions! It was a tournament of battles, a weekend of
bonding, and eventually an opportunity to celebrate victory
Day 1 saw the Otters outplayed in most areas of the game to the Deep River Knights, who showed great talent and purpose. At the final whistle spirits were down, and energy was hard to find. Families took to encouraging their young players as best as possible, while coaches scrambled to make a difference in Day 2.
In an early morning charge the Otters found what they could not the day before. Playing against the PEC Kings and the Belleville Junior Bulls, their legs began to find new energy, while their eyes re-focused on their goal. The Otters pulled off convincing wins for the chance to act revenge in the championship game.
The final face-off was played during a mid-day game in an arena fit for champions. The Deep River Knights had beaten us in game 1. They had tasted victory and wanted more. The Otter’s dressing room was quiet, full of nerves and questions. Tension was eased by the coaches, but it wasn’t until the Otters pre-game cheer that our young players found comfort on the cold ice.
Both teams started strong, battling back and forth in end to end action. Through 2 periods neither team had scored and everyone knew that it would take just 1 goal to determine victory. Fans began to cheer louder. Coaches said everything that would encourage the players to keep fighting. Each shift players came out hungrier.
Half way through the 3rd period the Otters received a dreaded penalty. Tension returned. Nerves wound their way through the bench and into the stands. However, each time an Otter’s skate touched the ice, a determination yet seen this season found its way into the hearts of the players. The goalie, the defence, and the offence worked as a team to keep each other’s hopes alive.
Then in a way only destiny could predict, our penalty ended and the Otter, who for the last 2 minutes sat behind glass watching his team fight for their lives, left the box and found the puck alone at centre ice. He skated with the determination to make things right. When the puck found the back of the net the small group of fans in the stands filled the arena with cheers. The players embraced. Now came survival!
The final 10 minutes felt like an entire game, but our Otters were up for the challenge. After all, losing is not fun, but finding the ability to revenge a loss and win the championship makes for a story that will remain in the hearts of the players for a very long time.
As the final horn sounded and the score board read 1-0, our Huntsville Atom AE Otters grew from being a team, into a team of champions!
