For the 3rd consecutive year the 2004's had to settle for Silver at the GTA Showdown. They went 3-1 in the round robin, beating Eastern Redbirdz 4-3 in the semi and losing 1-0 in a great hockey game against the Durham Renegades from Ajax/Pickering.
In the first game of the round robin the Sharks looked a little tired after the morning drive, and just couldn't get the offence going. Ryan Laws, from Caleb Kuno and Luke Fritz was the only tally in a 5-1 loss to the Durham Renegades. Next up was the Eastern Redbirdz. Both team battled hard in the first period exchanging scoring chance before the Sharks finally took the lead with 2:19 remaining. The Sharks got it rolling in the 2nd adding 3 more goals, followed by 4 in the 3rd on route to an 8-0 shutout. Troy Coultes with the shutout was a wall in net. Goals went to Kuno 2, Laws, McNevan, Wyatt Kerr, Noah Swann, Carter Coombs and Ryder Livermore. Over the next 2 round robin games the Sharks would tally 20 goals and give up 3, with wins over the Wolf Pack from Aurora and the Regional Express. Over these two games every player had at least 2 points, showing how balanced this group is.
Going 3-1 in the round robin give the Ice Sharks 2nd place and a semi final match up with the Easter Redbirdz. Cory Jewitt opened the scoring, assisted by Turner McKenzie. The Redbirdz tied it up one minute later, leaving it 1-1 after the first period. The Sharks again took the lead 4 minutes into the 2nd on a goal by Kuno, assisted by Wyatt Kerr. The Redbirdz kept coming, scoring 2 more before the end of the 2nd to take a 3-2 lead into the 3rd. The Sharks started to realize that this team was going to battle until the end, and started to pick it up in the 3rd. Carson Stutzman tied it up 2 minuted into the 3rd on a great rush. Both teams battled hard exchanging scoring chances, with both goalies making some great saves. Finally with 2:26 remaining in the 3rd Stutzman got loose again, finishing off another rush with the game winner. The Sharks were on there way to their 3rd consecutive gold medal game at the GTA Showdown.
After losing 5-1 to the Durham Renegades in the round robin the Sharks knew they would have to play a great game to bring home gold. What a game it was! This game had everything; great goaltending, goal posts, power plays, break aways, and a penalty shot, which Troy stopped to keep the score 0-0 late in the 2nd. The Renegades would score on a goal grease scramble to make it 1-0 with 8 secs left in the 2nd period. The Sharks didn't get down, they kept battling right to the buzzer but could not solve the Renegades netminder in a 1-0 final. A game like this, 1-0 in Novice, is just a GREAT hockey game! It is hard to explain to the kids, but losing a game like this is better for them than winning a game by 10 goals. It was a great weekend for all both on and off the ice.
The 04's are back in action Friday May 10th, in the Spring Spectacular tournament in Stratford.