Jan 20, 2013 | ssteeves | 987 views
Major Atom Take Part In Preston International Hockey Tournament
The Major Atoms took part in the Preston International Tournament this weekend and had a strong showing.
The team opened the tournament on Friday against the Don Mills Flyers. Despite a penalty riddled game with 21 penalties assessed including 12 to the Jr Sting, the team came out strong and battled hard. Ethan Kerby opened the scoring in the first period with a power play goal assisted by Wil O'Leary Dilosa and Blake Butler. Don Mills replied late in the second period to tie the game 1-1. The Sting regained the lead in the third on yet another power play goal scored by Wil O'Leary Dilosa, assisted by Blake Butler. Don Mills tied the game 4 minutes later to end the game 2-2.
Early Saturday morning, the Jr Sting played the New York Wheatfield Blades in the second game of the tourney. The boys dominated the game peppering shots on net but couldn't find the back of the net until early in the second period of play. Blake Butler drove the puck into the net with the assist going to Ethan Kerby. Wheatfield responded a minute later to tie the game 1-1. Tristen Konrad, assisted by Carter Barron, added the Sting's final goal of the game late in the second to go ahead 2-1. Unfortunately Wheatfield tied the game 2-2 after the Sting had just completed a successful penalty kill. The Sting ended with another 2-2 tie.
In the final game of the round robin play, the Atoms faced off against the Huron Perth Lakers. The Sting came out sluggish to start but quickly picked up the momentum. Blake Butler, assisted by Wil O'Leary Dilosa, scored the only Sting goal late in the first period. The Sting carried the lead into the third period when the Lakers notched their first goal on goaltender Adam Mino. The Lakers stole the lead 4 minutes later advancing to 2-1. The Sting had several good chances to tie the game in the final minutes of the game but were unable to capitalize. Unfortunately the team needed a win to advance to the semifinals on Sunday.
The Jr. Sting return to action next weekend with back to back home games to finish regular season play.