Mar 09, 2011 | dslipacoff | 1874 views
Lambton Jr Sting 95's Eliminated from Playoffs by Hungry Waterloo Wolves
Lambton Jr Sting Conclude a Very Successful Season Despite Falling Short of Alliance Championship
A Final View From the Bench
By: Doug Slipacoff
The Lambton Jr Sting Minor Midgets battled to the bitter end versus a well-coached Waterloo Jr Wolves team but were unable to advance past the semi-final round, losing the series 3-0-1.
The 95's competed their hearts out and left in all on the ice, however despite their best efforts were unable to put the puck in the net when they needed it most.
Although the team fell just short of their goals of winning the Alliance Championship and a guaranteed entry to the OHL Cup, it was a tremendously positive season that highlighted several great accomplishments of which they should all be very proud. This group of exceptional young men came together as individuals, yet ended the season as a unified team. They worked extremely hard and demonstrated on many occasions they were capable of playing with and defeating any team in the province. Their season was highlighted by their amazing run through the Marlie Holiday Classic, in which they earned a place in the quarter final round by defeating some of the very best teams in the province, including the second-place ranked team in Ontario, the Don Mills Flyers. At the end of the regular season, the Lambton Jr. Sting Minor 95's tied for second place overall in the Alliance, and finished the playdowns third overall in the Alliance Minor Midget AAA Division.
As a coaching staff, we couldn't be more proud of our team, and the dedication and effort they brought to the rink on a consistent basis. On behalf of the coaching staff I'd also like to thank Gayle Carter for all her help as team manager - I don't know what we would have done without her... thank you so much for all you did! Thank you also to Joe Sit for serving as equipment manager and trainer and for always supporting our staff, to Kelly Lane for serving as team treasurer, and to Lisa Beauchamp for coordinating the yearbook. Many thanks to all the parents and family members who showed our team unwaivering support and represented our organization with class and respect.
Finally, to our boys...thank you for coming to the rink and working as hard as you did all season. I know there were times throughout the season when you got tired of us but none-the-less you continued to show up at the rink ready to compete and make yourselves better. Every single one of you showed tremendous improvement throughout the season and you should all be very proud of what you have accomplished. Thank you for believing in us as coaches and for buying into our systems and philosophies. I hope you enjoyed playing for us as much as we enjoyed coaching all of you. As you prepare to move forward in your hockey lives and await the challenges that will present themselves to you next season, it is of utmost importance that you dedicate yourselves to the gym in order to improve your conditioning to become bigger, stronger, faster and more durable.
Continue to work hard during our extended practice sessions as you continue to improve. We continue to hope for a possible invitation to the OHL Cup based on a very successful season showing - whatever the outcome, have a great off-season fellas - you deserve it!
"Be Relentless"
Coach Slip