Majors Capture MPS Title, News, Major Midget, 2017-2018 (Huntsville Minor Hockey)

This Team is part of the 2017-2018 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Jan 09, 2018 | jclarke | 998 views
Majors Capture MPS Title
The MBRP Major Midget Otters laid claim to the Muskoka Parry Sound Tournament this past weekend in Bracebridge. 

Based on their regular season record Huntsville was ranked #4 entering the tournament. Despite this the Otters were able to claw their way to the finals and outlast South Muskoka by a score of 3-1. 

Friday night saw Huntsville take on their Highway 11 rivals, South Muskoka. Both clubs command impressive +20 win seasons, and each meeting this year has been closely contested.

South Muskoka went ahead on an early goal and refused to relinquish the lead for the remainder of the game. The Otters could not seem to adjust their power play; nor could they find an answer for South Muskoka's hot goaltender. 

Late in the third period it appeared Huntsville might threaten, as a fortuitous power play combined with an empty net left the Otters with a 6-on-3 man-advantage. Nonetheless South Muskoka would eventually gain control of the puck and promptly deposit it in the yawning cage. Unfortunately Nathan Markle’s triumphant return was spoiled in a 4-1 Huntsville loss. 

Although Saturday morning's temperatures were absolutely frigid, Huntsville's offence was red-hot, finding the back of the net multiple times for a 9-1 win over Parry Sound. With a 1-1 round robin record Huntsville would face Haliburton in a Saturday night game, which would see the winner advance to the final.

The Majors entered the game hoping for some redemption after a frustrating 6-0 blowout at the hands of Haliburton earlier in the year. Backed by a great performance from Josh Lawson in net, the Otters educated the unruly Haliburton bench on some of the finer aspects of the game. Proving revenge is a dish best served cold Huntsville punched their ticket to Sunday's final with a decisive 3-1 victory.

Sunday afternoon was another even-matched affair against South Muskoka. Both teams traded chances throughout the game and started the third period tied at 1. The Otters would pull ahead 2-1 and survive South Muskoka’s late barrage long enough to cash in on an empty net goal. Tyler Miller was outstanding in net and was supported by a full team effort.

The win secured home ice advantage in the first round of playoffs for Huntsville, as they now prepare for what will no doubt be a very close and hard fought series against South Muskoka.