Stingers find Early Bird Silver

The North Bay Stingers West Ferris Minor Sports Major Peewee AA hockey team played the role of bridesmaid for a second straight tournament this season, bowing to Timmins Readyquip Rampage in the finals of the West Ferris Early Bird hockey tournament here on the weekend.

In round robin play Kenny Appleby earned the shutout and Tyler Kennedy picked up the Stingers only goal in a 1-0 win over Pedersen Puckhounds of Temiskaming Shores.

In game two the Stingers were embarrassed by Timmins 7-1. Danny Desrochers netted the Stingers only goal in the second to make the score 2-1. However, Timmins quickly responded with a second period tally and put things out of reach in the third with four straight goals in a five minute span.

The Stingers faced off against the Seaway Valley Rapids of the ODHA (Ottawa-Cornwall) in their third game of the tournament and put in a solid effort picking up a 3-1 victory. Eric Champagne, Matt Salter and Ryan Wilkinson led the Stingers offensive charge.

The Stingers faced Seaway Valley again in the semi-finals and came out on top with another 3-1 win. Pascal Laperriere backstopped the Stingers to a berth in the championship final. Nick Scott, Kennedy and Stephen Mason picked up the goals for the Stingers. In the other semi-final Timmins defeated Temiskaming Shores 4-0.

In the championship game the Stingers applied pressure early to the Timmins squad, but the teams skated to a scoreless first period. In the second period Timmins opened the scoring while enjoying a five on three power play advantage. Timmins went up 2-0 late in the second on a bad bounce that sent Timmins in alone on Appleby. The Stingers could not solve Timmins goalie Brandon Cook and finally a late goal in the third made the score 3-0 and iced the championship victory for Timmins.

The Stingers roster also includes Jake Stpales, Cole Filiatrault, Courtney Geisler, Jamie Restoule, MattJemmett and Matt Buckley.

The Stingers will now prepare for the Guelph Power Play Tournament coming up November 23-25.

Submitted to BayToday.ca