The Tyke Muskies are continuing with their winning ways. Going undefeated in the Bradford blue and gold tournament to capture the championship. Combining the tournament wins with recent league play, the boys are on a 11 game winning streak. With only two matches left in reg. season,the Tyke Muskies are set to storm the playoffs.
The weather was dreary but spirits were high to start the first overnighter for the Tyke Muskies, Bradford put on the tournament and would see the Tykes play four games in three days.
Game one was played at 11:45 on Friday morning. Their opponents, The Oakville Ninjas, would rarely see the play leave their end and were out of their element, as Lindsay walked away with the 13-0 win.
Tyler Kyle was awarded the player of the game for his continuous back-checking, and soft hands around the offensive zone.
Game two was the same day at 4pm. Lindsay would have their work cut out for them as a tough Whitby Silverstick #7's came out of the gate hot.
The Tyke Muskies seemed to lag at the start and were lucky to only be down by one at the half way point. The team knew it was gut check time and dug deep. Thanks to the three defensive core , Karter Robertson,Tom Malcolm and Kayden Goble, who shut down the opponents offence and gave the team a chance.
Yanni Karkoulas was doing quick work of all shots that got through, and rebounds were cleared by the skillful d-men. The Tyke Muskies would find the twine twice in the second half to come out with the 2 to1 win. Karter Robertson got the player of the game for his consistent and reliable work on the blueline.
It was do or die for Saturdays game three as anything but a win would likely not be enough to carry the Lindsay boys to the final. The Whitby hounds would be the visiting team. With their easy wins over Oakville ninjas and Oakville predators, 14-2 and 10-0 respectively. The Muskies looked tired after a long first day at the rink and a fun filled night in the hotel. But with a little help the boys came alive for game time, the puck drop saw the Muskies take the play to the Hounds and cycle dangerously around the net for much of the first, but the Whitby team drew first blood within seconds of the periods end. Period 2 saw the Tyke Muskies continued with their steady wearing down of their opponents and were rewarded with the equalizer then the go ahead goal. Center-men Blaze Selleck and Jacob Moore were a constant danger in the offensive zone and winger Jonah Madsen was a threat on the goal line as well as in the corners. The 2-1 win gave Lindsay the birth in the finals.
player of the game went to Blaze Selleck for his relentless attack of the net.
The finals on Sunday at 12:15pm saw a rematch with the Whitby Hounds as their huge earlier wins won them a tie breaker on goals. But would Lindsay have the legs to go one more game? They came fresh to the arena and seemed ready to play. Then for the 11th straight time the Boys hit the ice and would let their game speak for them. They were in it to win, and even an early goal to put them behind wouldn't deter the spirit of the Tykes as speedy wingers Kyle Sanderson and Jax Radford, pressured the d in their end and caught the forwards on the back-check. William Fierheller was a force to be reckoned with and made something happen whenever he was on the ice. Micheal Kennedy was hard on the puck, up the boards and in front of the net, causing turnover after turnover and chance after chance. The boys steamrolled back to a decisive 6 to 2 win giving them the gold hardware. William Fierheller was chosen player of the game for his well rounded style and his play-making ability.
The Lindsay Tyke Muskies skated the sweet victory lap with the silver cup raised high and smiles a mile wide, as the photos were taken and T'N'T played in the arena after the win.
with only two games left before playoffs, Lindsay travels to Clarington on the 17th and Peterborough visits on the 26th. at noon. Come out and see these boys win #12 and #13 in a row!!
note: game stats not available at press time.
By G.J.Fierheller