Featured photo (Back from left) Coaches John Dunn and Steve Vandenheuvel; players Clark Jankovic, Chris Locke, Gavin Smith, Cameron Aben, Will Neudorf, Braydon Morgan, Kieryn Morrison, Nick Coleman, Logan Voyer; and Coaches Mathew Clarke and John Clarke. (Middle row from left) Connor Small, Colin Jones, Denver Parliament, Evan Dickson, Zach Farnsworth, and Chase Jankovic. (Front from left) goalies Camden Connor and Josh Lawson.
By Cheyenne Wood
The Armstrong Dodge Midget AE Otters won gold in their home tournament last weekend, defeating the Ayr Flames – who spectators said was their closest-matched competitor so far this season – in the finals.
On Friday, November 4, the Otters met Caledonia, winning 4-0. Saturday morning, they won 5-0 against North Bay and challenged Ayr in the afternoon but lost 3-2.
In the final, the Otters fought hard to outplay the Flames through the first two periods, but heading into the third it was 2-0 for Ayr. The team made a plan to out-skate the Flames and it worked – three minutes into the third period #5 Gavin Smith (a defenceman) scored the Otters’ first goal. But then Ayr attacked back with another goal to forge ahead 3-1. The Otters played a good defence and skated long and hard but scored no goals for the next nine minutes.
The Flames couldn’t score either and couldn’t keep up with the great Otter passes. Finally, with just two minutes left, #11 Denver Parliament made a pass and assist to his teammate #10 Clark Jankovic to shoot and score right in front of the goalie.
The Otters kept pressure on the Flames and kept the puck in their end. At a minute and 40 seconds remaining, the Otters tied it up and the crowd went wild. They continued to hold off their opponents until the buzzer.
Intensity grew in the stands as fans cheered on the Otters through three overtime periods as the teams played four on four, then three on three, and finally two on two. Heading into the seventh period, the game was still tied at 3-3 but at the seven-minute mark of quadruple overtime, the Otters came together as a team – a goal by #12 Cameron Aben resulted in a 4-3 win for the gold. A big shout out to goalie #1 Camden Connor for holding off the Flames offence.
There’s no rest for the Armstrong Midget AE Otters after winning the gold as they prepare for this weekend which includes two home games on Friday against the Almaguin Ice Devils and Saturday night against the Penetang AE Flames as well as an away game against the Muskoka Rock in Port Carling on Sunday. Good luck, Otters!
About Cheyenne Wood
I am a kind-hearted, hard-working teacher, mother and a wife. I love to learn and consider myself a life-long learner. I enjoy being a coach, a tutor, and a supporter in my community. My passion is photography. Capturing the greatest moment, greatest shot is thrilling to me and brings me joy!
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