Mar 28, 2022 | April Perks | 917 views
U9 Champions & Awards Banquet
On Saturday, March 26th, the Apsley Minor Hockey Association hosted the LEO U9 Championship Day for the top five teams in the League of Eastern Ontario. Teams included: Apsley Flames, Bancroft Jets, Brighton Bolts, Norwood Hornets & Otonabee Wolves.
In Apsley's first game they faced off against their neighbours to the north, the Bancroft Jets. The first goal of the game was scored by defenseman, Emmett Swift. The second goal of the game was scored by George Sayer, assisted by Kyle Laing. Cohen Kemp scored the third goal for Apsley, making it 3-0 at the end of the first period. Cruz Kaschak scored the only goal of the second period, assisted by George Sayer and Charlie Cotnam. In the third period, Kyle Laing made it 5-0 with help from Emmett Swift. Cruz Kaschak scored the final goal, his second of the game, assisted by Clare Dunkerley. Apsley finished strong with a score of 6-0! Defensenmen Cohen Kemp, Emmett Swift and Charlie Cotnam did an incredible job keeping the Jets at bay, helping Thomas Boa earn the shutout for the Flames. "Player of the Game" was awarded to Kyle Laing.
Apsley played the Brighton Bolts in their second game. Easton Bolton scored first for Apsley, assited by George Sayer and Bentley Graham. Apsley's second goal was scored by Kyle Laing, assisted by Max Dunford. Brighton scored late in the first period making it 2-1 for Apsley. Even though the Flames generated most of their shots in the middle of the game, the second period was scoreless. In the third period, Kyle Laing scored again for the Flames. Emmett Swift scored the final goal of the game and Apsley won 4-1. Charlie Cotnam was the "Player of the Game" recipient.
The Flame's two round robin wins secured them a spot in the 'A' Championship game. Apsley faced the Otonabee Wolves in their final match of the season. Kyle Laing scored for Apsley but Otonabee answered back, making it 1-1 by the end of the first period. Easton Bolton scored early in the second period, assited by Kyle Laing and Bentley Graham. Otonabee tied it up midway through the second, making it 2-2. The two teams battled it out in the third period. With 2:09 left on the clock, George Sayer set up Max Dunford for the game winning goal! The final score was 3-2 in favor of the Flames, crowning them the 2021-22 League of Eastern Ontario U9 Champions! Max Dunford and Thomas Boa both earned the "Player of the Game" medals in the final game.
A huge CONGRATULATIONS to the U9 players & staff:
Head Coach - Jonathan Swift
Assistant Coach - Benn Hall
Assistant Coach - Curtis Bolton
Trainer - Chad Tucker
Assistant Trainer - Colin Cotnam
Manager - Marci Swift
On-Ice volunteers - Jason Kemp, Tyler Bolton, Tyler McMann, Gavin Swift
#31 Thomas Boa
#2 Bentley Graham
#3 Owen Tucker
#4 Emmett Swift
#5 Max Dunford
#7 Clare Dunkerley
#10 Kyle Laing
#13 Cohen Kemp
#14 George Sayer
#16 Charlie Cotnam
#18 Cruz Kaschak
#23 Lawson Tracey
#24 Easton Bolton
Apsley forward, Owen Tucker, was unable to particiapte in the big day. However, his team showed up on his front lawn and presented their championship trophy through the window for him to see! What a great group of kids and coaches!
The U9 team followed up their championship win with a team awards banquet. The following awards were preseneted:
Most Valuable Player - Thomas Boa
Best Forward - Owen Tucker
Best Defenseman - Charlie Cotnam
Most Sportsmanlike/Dedicated Player - Emmett Swift
Most Improved Player - Clare Dunkerley & Lawson Tracey
The Apsley Minor Hockey Assiciation would like to thank all of those who helped out at the LEO U9 Championship Day:
Gavin Swift, Keagan Perks, Beckham Perks, Alex McMann and Cody Dunford for doing time clock
Denise Dunford for helping keep the arena clean
The U9 coaching staff
All of the U9 parents who helped with 50/50 and the puck toss
Scott Wilkes for awards presentations and announcing
Brian McMillan for providing the medals and trophy plates and setting up the merch table
The Apsley Flames, Bancroft Jets, Brighton Bolts, Norwood Hornets and Otonabee Wolves for participating
All the parents and fans who came out and supported the teams
The NKCC staff
The referees
Hunter's General Store for making the pizzas
Colin & Erin Cotnam for hosting the U9 awards banquet