The DigSafe Major Bantam AAA Trappers headed down highway 17 East this past weekend to take part in the 15th Annual Ottawa Senators September 'AAA' Shootout in our Nation’s Capital. The team started the tournament on the right foot by defeating Ontario Hockey Academy by a score of 1-0.
Owen Wray was between the pipes for his first shutout of the season. In their second game, the Trappers took on a very physical Peterborough Petes team and were handed a 6-0 loss. Saturday afternoon the DigSafe Trappers took on the Central Ontario Wolves in a penalty filled affair.
The final result was a 4-0 loss, leaving the Trappers in a must-win situation for Saturday evening’s final preliminary game. In game 4, the Trappers took on a strong CIHA Voyageurs hockey team.
The boys needed to win the game in order to advance to the semifinals on Sunday.
The boys were perfect on penalty kills and managed to capitalize on a power play opportunity to finish the preliminary round with a 2-1 victory, and a record of 2 wins and 2 losses.
On Sunday afternoon, the Major Bantams met up with the Peterborough Petes once again.
The boys fought hard but could not seem to stop the Petes as the Trappers were eliminated with 4-0 loss.
Coach Bill McMillan was pleased with his team’s overall play in the tournament. The team is beginning to gel and their hard work in practices is laying the foundation for a promising hockey season.
Minor Bantam AAA Trappers
The Minor Bantam Trappers opened their season by also participating in the 15th Annual Ottawa Senators September 'AAA' Shootout.
The Trappers opened the tournament with a tough 3-2 loss to the Burlington Eagles. Caleb Sanders took the loss between the pipes despite a strong effort. Goals were scored by Cam MacDonald and Nico Laforge. Helpers went to Owen Ethier, Todd Violette and Tyler Desmarais. In game two the Trappers dominated play but could not solve the goaltending of the North Central Predators and came away with a 1-1 tie.
Caelan McAuliffe provided solid goaltending for the Traps. MacDonald scored the goal with an assist by Mathieu Savignac. In their third game, the Trappers once again had a very strong effort versus the Peterborough however costly penalties were their demise and they had to settle for a 3-3 tie. Caleb Sanders had another strong showing in net and the offense was supplied with goals from Brett Richardson, Jake Fullerton and Violette. Richardson Fullerton, Desmarais also had assists with others going to Mathis Bernard and Keane Koivisto.
The Trappers rounded out their tournament with another 3-2 loss, this time to the Hands of the Ottawa Myers Auto. Despite an MVP performance for McAuliffe the Trappers started the game very slow and uninspired to fall behind 3-0. However, they regrouped and played the way the coaching staff expects them to play the rest of the way. Goals were scored by Nico Laforge and Richardson. Laforge and Fullerton also had assists. The minor bantams are back in action next weekend with two games in Sudbury versus the Nickel City Sons.
Major Peewee AAA Trappers
Savignac Major Peewee AAA Trappers competed in the Toronto Redwings early bird tournament this past weekend. Facing what would prove to be a very difficult draw the Trappers fought through 4 losses to the Mississauga Reps, Toronto Jr. Canadiens, Markham Waxers, and Niagara North. We knew what we were getting into, that we would be in really tough competition against the top teams in the province.
It was a test of mental toughness as the Trappers lone goal of the tourney was scored by Chase Thompson versus the Waxers in game three.
The Coaching staff was impressed with the no quit attitude as the team battled through the weekend. The Major Peewees next series of games comes this weekend at the AAA showcase hosted by Sudbury.
