On March 23-24, Our U9 Flames participated in their League Of Eastern Ontario Championship weekend in Norwood.
Their first match up was against the Norwood Hornets. The team hit the ice with great energy and focus which resulted in a 7-3 win. The Flames lead the 1st period 3-2 with goals scored by Anden Freeburn, Parker Dunford, and Emmett Woodruff. Dan Peel (goalie) shut them down in the 2nd period, allowing no goals, while our team kept up the fight, getting 2 more on the board. (Anden Freeburn (Assist - Ben Crosby) and Parker Dunford (Assist - Connor Dunford, Deklyn Wilson) The momentum continued for our team in the 3rd period bringing the final score of 7-3. Our 3rd period goals were scored by Deklyn Wilson (Assist - Parker Dunford) and Ripley Cook (Assist - Anden Freeburn)
Game 2 of the day was against the Havelock Hawks, where the Flames came out on top again with a final score of 6-2. Goals for this game were scored by, Anden Freeburn (Assist - Ripley Cook) and Kianna Dunford (Assist - Tanner Post) in the 1st and Parker Dunford scoring 2 in the 2nd period. In the 3rd period, Parker Dunford bagged a hat trick making it a 5-2 game. The team continued their efforts and Ripley Cook sniped in our 6th goal with 0.51 seconds remaining in the game.
After a successful Saturday, being 1st in their division, The U9's left hungry for more and returned Sunday afternoon to play their 'C' Championship game against the Warkworth Bulldogs. The Flames lead the 1st period 1-0 with the opening goal scored by Deklyn Wilson (Assist - Parker Dunford). The Bulldogs tied the game in the 2nd period, but with 0.05 seconds remaining in the period, Parker Dunford dumped one in, allowing the Flames to come into the 3rd with a 1 goal lead. The final period brought all of the excitement, keeping the crowd on the edge of their seats. Warkworth kept the pressure on and managed to tie the game once again. The battle continued and our Flames did not let up. Despite having a penalty in our final minutes of play, Apsley dominated and kept the heat in the offensive zone. With 0.12 seconds left on the clock, Parker Dunford scored the game winning goal (Assist - Connor Dunford) claiming their championship title.
The efforts and determination that these kids and their coaches (Adam King - Head Coach, Anthony Halcovitch - Assistant Coach, Josh Dunford - Trainer, Kevin Crosby - Assistant Trainer) brought to the tournament and the entire season was absolutely remarkable. Thank you to all of their supporters and to AMHA for an amazing season. Congratulations on your championship! Go Flames Go!!
Apsley Flames U9 Team Members Include: Avery Burton, Connor Dunford, Kianna Dunford, Parker Dunford, Tanner Post, Bronson Toye, Deklyn Wilson, Dan Peel, Ripley Cook, Oliver King, Ben Crosby, Anden Freeburn, Zack Halcovitch, Emmett Woodruff & Blake Darby.