Making Moves in Mooretown, News, Midget, 2013-2014, B/BB (Sarnia Hockey)

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This Team is part of the 2013-2014 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Nov 21, 2013 | Eric Smith | 1368 views
Making Moves in Mooretown
Sarnia Sting Major Midget MD’s competed in the Mooretown “Stanley Taggart Memorial” Hockey Tournament losing 3-2 in the final to Belle River Jr. Canadians. It was a case of ‘close but no cigar’ over the four days Nov. 7-10 at the Moore Sports Complex.

Before the first game began with the host Mooretown Storm, Bob Braun predicted the game would be rough and Doug McArthur declared that we would win 3-2 but Mooretown would get the first two goals. The Thursday evening game did prove to be close with the Sting winning 4-3 but not rough as Mooretown did not receive a penalty in the contest. Owen Gibson put Sarnia on top in the first with a shot from his own end that eluded the Storm goalie. Joey Austin added a goal early in the second assisted by Mario Hudson and Jason Braun.  After Mooretown fought back with a goal in the third, Nathan Harkins tallied at 8:04 assisted by Devin Butler and Kevin Durco in a pretty 3 way passing play to regain the two goal advantage. The Storm did not give up firing one in at 3:46. The last minute flourish continued when Harkins fired in the winning goal fed by Ryan Walker with 1:58 to go.  Mooretown made it close again scoring with 1:14 on the clock. McArthur kicked out 29 shots to preserve the win in the game.

            Saturday’s game at 2pm with Kent Tek-Savvy Cobras was a rough affair with several penalties called throughout the game. After a slow start with Chatham scoring two quick goals, the Sting settled in scoring the next 7 goals to take a commanding lead. Aaron Buckeridge got the first assisted by Austin and Butler. Harkins got the second with Hudson and Butler assisting followed by a goal from Walker assisted by Richard McIntosh. Buckeridge added his second assisted by Walker and McIntosh then Walker scored a power play marker for his second assisted by Eric Cunninham and Cullen Smith. Owen Gibson fired one home to end the scoring in the second assisted by Cunningham and Braun. After a string of penalties in the third, Buckeridge got his hat trick assisted by Braun on a power play. Kent added a late goal at 1:16 to finish the scoring. Melanson kicked out 18 shots in the victory.

            Sarnia faced Belle River in the final round robin game at 8:15pm with each team undefeated. After their 4-4 tie, both teams would face each other again the next day in the final with the championship on the line. Butler got the first goal for Sarnia assisted by Austin. Hudson got the second for the Sting assisted by Matt Tourignay and Braun. Harkins got Sarnia’s third with Hudson drawing an assist. Sarnia’s fourth goal was fired in from the point at 5:25 of the third by Cullen Smith assisted by Jason Braun. Melanson stopped 23 shots on goal some of which were spectacular.

            When asked about preparedness before the final, Corey Morphew commented, “Boy, are they ever ready to go.” However after one period, Belle River led 1-0. In the second two quick goals at 11:39 and 9:19, secured their lead. The Sting continued to battle with some solid play on defense by Dustin Morphew and Chris Kerrigan. It payed off with a goal by Butler at 14:10 of the third assisted by Cunningham and Buckeridge. He continued the comeback effort with another goal at 8:10 assisted by Harkins and Austin. There was still adequate time left on the clock but Sarnia just came up short of tying the final in the waning minutes. McArthur kicked out 21 shots and the rest of the team gave it their best as well coming up just a little short of winning it all.