What a weekend for the U15 Team!! Historically our success in the capital city has been mixed at best. Beijing teams have always gotten the upper hand. However this weekend ended with a very different result.
Going into the 4 game test, the team was prepared for a tough go. With a short bench due to some key players out of the lineup, the Thunderbirds top team needed to rely on team work and determination.
The first game saw our team battle the Pioneers A squad, a very capable, professionally coached team. It didn't take long for our players to feel the heat as the tough checking Pioneers begins their attack deep into our zone.
Our Thunderbirds were up to the challenge. Gaining control of the middle ice our squad attacked in waves breaking the Pioneers defense and getting on the scoreboard. The relentless attack put the Pioneers on the heels. As the score mounted, the Pioneers lost confidence and the victory was ours. The final score was 6-1.
The second contest against the Pioneer B team was not as straight forward. Our Thunderbirds entered the game with a "can't lose" attitude. This over confidence translated into a scrambling and often desperate style of play. Thunderbirds goaltender Quinn Mast, responded to his teams misstep by putting on a fabulous display of goaltending, keeping the Pioneers off the scoreboard.
The Thunderbirds final realized the error of their ways and went back to the style of hockey that allowed them to win the first game. With 3 unanswered goals in the 3rd period our team was able to add another victory to the list.
Sunday games promised to be much more of a challenge with the Pioneers wanting to get revenge for Saturdays outing. Pioneer A team came out on fire and forced the play in our zone. Thunderbird defense lead by Elliott Nunes and our new defense player Ardrienne Yu shutdown the attacking Pioneers, never allowing shots from the slot.
The forwards took up the charge and took control of the Pioneers zone repeatedly peppering their net. The Pioneer goalie was equal to the challenge and the score remained 0-0 into the second period.
The determined Pioneer A team came out in the second with just as much drive forcing more stellar defense play from all the Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds were just as persistent and stuck to their system no matter how hard the Pioneers pressed them. The result was the first goal of the game followed by an empty net goal late in the third.
With solid confidence in their system the Thunderbirds met their last challenge in the Pioneer B team. The Pioneers came out wanting to make up for the first game loss. The Thunderbirds did not make the same mistake as the first game. They played a steady even game both on offense and defense, keeping the Pioneers on the boards and out of the slot the entire game. With only one misstep in our zone costing a goal our team came out on top 9-1.
A great ending to a brilliant weekend
Going into the 4 game test, the team was prepared for a tough go. With a short bench due to some key players out of the lineup, the Thunderbirds top team needed to rely on team work and determination.
The first game saw our team battle the Pioneers A squad, a very capable, professionally coached team. It didn't take long for our players to feel the heat as the tough checking Pioneers begins their attack deep into our zone.
Our Thunderbirds were up to the challenge. Gaining control of the middle ice our squad attacked in waves breaking the Pioneers defense and getting on the scoreboard. The relentless attack put the Pioneers on the heels. As the score mounted, the Pioneers lost confidence and the victory was ours. The final score was 6-1.
The second contest against the Pioneer B team was not as straight forward. Our Thunderbirds entered the game with a "can't lose" attitude. This over confidence translated into a scrambling and often desperate style of play. Thunderbirds goaltender Quinn Mast, responded to his teams misstep by putting on a fabulous display of goaltending, keeping the Pioneers off the scoreboard.
The Thunderbirds final realized the error of their ways and went back to the style of hockey that allowed them to win the first game. With 3 unanswered goals in the 3rd period our team was able to add another victory to the list.
Sunday games promised to be much more of a challenge with the Pioneers wanting to get revenge for Saturdays outing. Pioneer A team came out on fire and forced the play in our zone. Thunderbird defense lead by Elliott Nunes and our new defense player Ardrienne Yu shutdown the attacking Pioneers, never allowing shots from the slot.
The forwards took up the charge and took control of the Pioneers zone repeatedly peppering their net. The Pioneer goalie was equal to the challenge and the score remained 0-0 into the second period.
The determined Pioneer A team came out in the second with just as much drive forcing more stellar defense play from all the Thunderbirds. The Thunderbirds were just as persistent and stuck to their system no matter how hard the Pioneers pressed them. The result was the first goal of the game followed by an empty net goal late in the third.
With solid confidence in their system the Thunderbirds met their last challenge in the Pioneer B team. The Pioneers came out wanting to make up for the first game loss. The Thunderbirds did not make the same mistake as the first game. They played a steady even game both on offense and defense, keeping the Pioneers on the boards and out of the slot the entire game. With only one misstep in our zone costing a goal our team came out on top 9-1.
A great ending to a brilliant weekend
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