Stingers buzz into Niagara Falls tourney final

Niagara Falls, N.Y. – The North Bay Stingers WF Minor Sports Major Peewee AA hockey team took a perfect 3-0 record into the Columbus Day Niagara Sports Tournament here on the weekend, only to fall short on their championship bid.

The Stingers dominated the Erie Iceman from start to finish and opened the tournament with an 8-0 victory. The line of Danny Desrochers, Matt Buckley and Tyler Kennedy led the way scoring six times and combining for fourteen points. Stephen Mason and Nick Scott rounded out the offensive attack. Defenseman Eric Champagne picked up three assists.

In game two the Stingers were sluggish out of the gate, but goaltender Kenny Appleby was equal to the task in the first period and held the Mount Clemons Wolves from Detroit off the scoreboard. The Stingers found their legs starting in the second period and jumped into a 1-0 lead on a goal by Desrochers. The Stingers earned the 2-0 shutout win when Desrochers picked up his second of the game and fifth of the tournament part way through the third period. Jake Staples, Courtney Geisler, Cole Filiatrault and Champagne turned in strong performances on the blueline for the Stingers.

A gutsy team effort and timely saves from goalie Pascal Laperriere pushed the Stingers past the Willowdale Blackhawks 3-2, sending the Stingers onto the championship. After falling behind 1-0 early in the first period Lapperiere settled down and earn his second victory of the tournament. Matt Jemmett and Staples earned assists on Scott’s second period goal knotting the score at 1-1. The Blackhawks pulled into the lead early in the third but two goals from Kennedy iced the victory for the Stingers.

The Mt. Clemons Wolves earned their spot in the championship game and a rematch with the Stingers when they posted a 4-0 victory over Oakville. The Wolves tallied early and often scoring three goals in the first making it an uphill battle for the North Bay squad. The Wolves never let up and the Stingers never got going. After a scoreless second period the Wolves buried three more in the third to earn the championship win.

Rounding out the Stingers roster are Ryan Wilkinson, Jamie Restoule and Matt Salter.

The Stingers open NDHL league play Oct 12 and will be competing in the West Ferris Early Bird tournament in North Bay Oct 26 to 28.

Submitted to BayToday.ca