U8 LL, LL (Hespeler Minor Hockey Association)

Family Day weekend provided a wonderful Canadian winter weekend for many, but none more than our little u8 LL Shamrocks who got to experience their first tournament outside of Hespeler— in the middle of a blizzard! The team even got to play a bonus fifth game when another team was unable to make it in. The team played incredible two way hockey. There was lots of perfectly executed breakouts, teamwork and heads-up hockey. With great coaching and even better listening from the players, our team had a great tournament on and off the ice. One of our players even quipped on Family Day they wished ...

Our final game of the tournament saw lots of great cooperation and teamwork. Our shamrocks have really learned what it means to play for your teammates instead of yourself and multiple times we had players sliding to block shots to help our goalies. Team 1 awarded Logan the MVP of the game for his incredible two-way play and support of all of his teammates. Team 2 handed out the Celly award to Nikolas after he scored an awesome goal. Congrats Nikolas and Logan ! Your team is so proud of you.

When a team from Oakville didn’t show up for the game after ours we were asked to stay on and play against the next team. Since our opponents were only u7 the team focused on new things. Like heads up skating, working the puck around the outside and protecting our goalie. Shae showed great leadership and teamwork skills and since there were no available medals was awarded the Shamrock Shades ! Way to go Shae your team is so proud of you!

Game three saw our Shamrocks brave an early morning blizzard to get to the rink. Once we arrived we realized we were missing a number of players. With only 1 substitution per side it was a tough battle but our players never quit. In fact we were able to tie a team 7-7 we had previously lost 20-2 to in the last tournament. Team 1 awarded Parker the MVP medal for scoring his first ever goal in the dying minutes of the game and tying Meadowvale. Team 2 awarded Zach the top cheese award for a few very slick goals against North London! Congrats Zach and Parker your team is so proud of you!

Game 2 saw both Shamrock teams face off with Woolwich for the second time this week. This game our Shamrocks really stepped up their on-ice communication. Team 1 awarded the top defender award to Riggins - who put everything he had into goaltending today including taking 2 pucks off the knee, 1 in the throat and another in the ear. Team 2 awarded Top Cheese to Dominic though according to Coach Iain there was top cheese, bottom cheese, side cheese and cheese just about everywhere! Congrats Dominic and Riggins! Your team is so proud of you!