Mar 29, 2015 | Craig Pharoah | 1389 views
Atom Team White Victorious
Yesterday afternoon, Orangeville hockey fans were treated to some of the best Championship Final hockey action ever, as Team White faced off against the Red squad to settle their tremendous season long rivalry. This was a game that both sides were excited about and when the puck dropped at 2pm, that excitement immediately translated into phenomenal play.
Red poured it on early in the first, but White's stellar goaltending from Thibault, team defensive play, and backchecking kept Red off the score board. Then, at 7:06 in the second period, White capitalized on a Red line change with Cars racing in for a chance on goal, eventually freeing up the loose puck for Rideout to tap it in for a one goal lead. White held that lead into the third period until Mason Shabot tied the score at 1 each. But White dug deep and Sillars put them back on the board with 4:06 remaining in the game. After a Red timeout, and in typical Red fashion, they came back like a hurricane, playing with great skill and desperation to send the game into overtime - and with 2:13 remaining Armstrong tied the score to end regulation in a tie.
Overtime produced exceptional 4 on 4 action but neither team could get one by the opposing goalie which meant - like in the old west - a shootout was going to settle this once and for all. Sillars, Carvalho, and Rideout matched goals from team Red with their first three shooters. Then, it was Cars up for White who scored on a great move to the stick side while Thibault locked out the Red shooter. One final attempt would settle this, and as Thibault made the stop for White, McMillan scored to seal the victory.
This was an unbelievable end to an extraordinary season and both teams should be congratulated on how they played throughout the season and in the finals. Great hockey from great kids on both White and Red.