Jan 24, 2018 | Amanda Cowdrey | 590 views
E Division Champions! Peterborough Liftlock Atom Tournament 2018
The Lindsay Muskies Atom White team made the trek to Peterborough the weekend of January 12th-14th and brought home an undefeated championship win in the E division of the 60th Annual Peterborough Liftlock Atom Tournament!
The excitement kicked off with the traditional local league Skills Competition on Tuesday January 9th at the Evinrude Centre. Players participated in target shooting, stick handling, speed skating, goaltending, & shoot out events where their speed & accuracy were put to the test. Hundreds of competitors were in attendance reaching almost record numbers for the coveted event! Many of the Peterborough players were finalists & winners in each skills event, & unfortunately our team members did not go on to the final rounds. Nonetheless, everyone had fun & as they headed into their first games, it would be known that one night's events were no direct reflection of their actual skills & development.
In Game 1 the Muskies went up against the Cambellford Colts at the Kinsmen Community Centre. "Fear the Fish!" was chanted loud & proud as the players headed out onto the ice, but warmups were cut short when the power in the arena suddenly went out! After a brief 15 minute delay, everything was up & running again & both teams quickly went to work. It was a fast paced 1st period with lots of end to end action. Nathan Sanderson #29 put the Muskies on the board first & Cambellford tied the score in the 2nd period. The Colts proved to be a tougher team than anticipated with fast skaters & solid shooters, but the Muskies battled hard, adding 2 more to the scoreboard assited by playmakers Jaxson Leith #5 & Drake Robinson-West #9. 2 more unanswered goals late in the 3rd would seal the deal on a 6-2 win.
The team took a break for lunch then ventured to meet the Millbrook Stars in Game 2 at Peterborough's oldest barn, Northcrest Arena. As leaguemates, Millbrook knew their opponent well and a tough fought 2-0 1st period proved that they came prepared. The Stars starting goaltender was peppered with shots in the 2nd & stood on his head in a valiant effort to fend off the Muskies charge. Lindsay lit the lamp in the 3rd period & dominated over a defeated Millbrook team for a win in Game 2. It was a quiet ride home for the Muskies as they braved the snow and ice to rest up for Day 2.
A long day Friday & early morning Saturday brought with it a tired Atom White crew to a 9am Game 3 against the PHA's AtoMc Jets at the Memorial Centre. It was a slow start in the 1st period; the Muskies were down 2-0 until team captain Keira Watson #11 helped find their groove, putting them back on track with her recently honed deke shots. Lindsay's endurance for the remainder of the game was impressive as they outlasted the Jets, killing their lead in the 2nd & shutting the door on them in the 3rd. A few goals in the 2nd assisted by Devon Moynes #8 & Tristan Shiers #10 broadened the Muskies score. Peterborough managed 1 more at the top of the 3rd period but even with a too many men penalty against Lindsay (that saw Ethan Thompson #6 skate off to the box & take one for the team) the Jets fell to the Muskies with a final score of 10-4. After the game, everyone awaited the standings update to see who would play next. It wasn't long before the verdict was in: Lindsay Muskies Atom White advanced to the Championship Semi Finals game against Douro Dukes Maroon! That afternoon would be a time to rest and prepare.
Lindsay's entire defensive core was in top form for this championship semi final game. The Muskies showed dominance in the 1st period with 5 goals against the Douro team & after the 6th goal in the 2nd, the Dukes changed up their strategy, short shifting their defence to fight the onslaught. It worked & the Muskies were unable to add any more to their tally. Not without trying though: an exciting long shot from centre ice by Sean Hayman #17 sailed high over the team & unfortunately very narrowly missed the net. Both teams wanted this semi final win but defenceman Ethan Peterson #14 made it extremely difficult for Douro, with his swift coast to coast skating & his keen sense to hustle back to protect the Muskies zone. The few times that the Dukes did break through, they were taken to the boards by Nathan Wooldridge #15 or stopped short at the net by Lindsay's last line of defence, Alexis Kostashuk #1, shutting out the Douro team & advancing to the finals with a 6-0 win.
The Muskies then faced off against a strong PHA AtoMc Hornets team for the E Division Championship final game at 1:30pm on Sunday at the Evinrude Centre. Peterborough's defence ruled the 1st & 2nd periods, stopping Lindsay's shooters dead in their tracks. The Hornets goalie stood solid between the pipes & his sharp reflexes were a force to be reckoned with. At the top of the 3rd it wasn't looking good; the Muskies were losing, 2-1, but they quickly capitalized on a hooking call against the Hornets & scored on the power play, tying the game. Despite the tough Peterborough team infront of them, Lindsay's determination was unwavering as Sean Hayman #17 scored the go-ahead goal with 5 minutes to go in the 3rd & Nathan Sanderson #29 followed up with the game clincher on the power play with less than 2 minutes left, for an exciting 4-2 championship win!
Congratulations Lindsay Muskies Atom White: E Division Champions & undefeated in the 2018 60th Annual Peterborough Liftlock Atom Tournament!
Also, congratulations to the following Atom White tournament award winners:
- Nathan Sanderson #29: Hat Trick Awards (Game 1 vs Cambellford, Game 2 vs Millbrook, Semi-Final vs Douro)
- Keira Watson #11: Hat Trick Awards (Game 2 vs Millbrook, Game 3 vs PHA Jets)
- Alexis Kostashuk #1: Shut-Out Awards (Game 2 vs Millbrook, Semi-Final vs Douro)
- Madison Raymond #16: Game Star Award
- Ross Kostashuk #2: Fontaine Sports Draw Winner (Skills Competition)
On behalf of the Lindsay Muskies Atom White team, we would like to thank organizers Richard Burke & Dave Moore, & the many volunteers who made this a fun tournament that ran impressively timely & orderly!
Also, thank you to Boston Pizza on Lansdowne St for accommodating our team on such short notice when pretty much every place in town was either booked or busy during the weekend!