OK...time to hear from Ontario

It's 8:33am and games here at the Hershey Center have not started yet, but I refuse to get the "blog reminder" text from Joe again.  I was going to get to it but the guys in Langley and "The Lou" are showing me up right now, so it's my turn.

In all honesty, yesterday was a pretty exciting day of hockey.  The first game of the tournament was a shootout as Ehhh Canada played the Mississauga Rattlers to a 3-3 tie at the end of regulation in the midget division.  Speaking of shootouts and the midget division Ehhh Canada has been involved in two of them during their three game round robin.  They played Tour Excitement to a shootout later in the evening and not one of their shootouts was less than eight rounds.  It's so funny how the glass is filled with spectators once a shootout commences.  It truly sets an amazing atmosphere in the rink; no matter the two teams or division, the shootout has been an awesome addition.

The peewee and bantam divisions are all done.  Those divisions played their round robin and playoffs in one day and I don't know if I'm sold on the whole block schedule deal at regionals.  I am sure it works some places because it's a good "sell" to get teams in and out for occasions such as holiday weekends etc.  But I tend to think that every regional is an EVENT that everyone would like to take part in all weekend...talk amongst yourselves!!

Anyway, in the peewee division, it was awesome to see the Rattlers 2000 and the KW Rage get together to form a 14U team of mostly 12U players.  The decision was made early in the week to split that up into two tiers even though there were only four teams.  This was one of the most exciting divisions because of that fact.  The game between Rattlers Red and Rattlers White was a classic.  There were three goals scored in the final minute of play to send the game to a shooutout tied at 6.  The Red team would win it in a shootout after five rounds and they would meet again in the Tier 2 Championship where Red woud come out on top again 4-2.

Tier 1 was just as close as the Tour Oakville Coyotes would win in a back and forth affair; 7-6 over Rattlers Black, after dominating round robin play and going 3-0.

In the bantam division, The Brampton Warriors would take home the crown with strong defense and goaltending, allowing only one goal the ENTIRE tournament.  Nicholas Caranfa of the Warriors would take home top goalie with a save percentage of .973.

So far in the midget division, Ehhh Canada has been a truly surprising team.  I have never seen or heard of this team, but they are turning heads with their play.  The team went 2-0-1 in round robin play and their fans make it feel like every team they play is playing a road game.  They play an exciting style, and it will be interesting to see what happens here today in the playoffs.  Tour Excitement Black and the Mayhem are the only two undefeated teams right now and they both play their last round robin game this morning.  Grizzly Chompers are also a team we haven't seen before and they are holding their own, playing a physical style throughout their games.

In the adult division, Mississauga Mission Rattlers White are clearly the class of the division right now.  The Renouf twins have five players out there (of course).  Gabe, Liam, Noah, Jonah and Holt are undefeated right now, beating their opponents by a combined score of 14-4.  They simply score goals.  Rattlers Black gave them a run for their money in the early going of their game and Rattlers Black sit at 1-1.  The White team has mastered the "five guys" concept while Tour Excitement Mens have not.  They have held leads of 2-0 and 3-0 and lost both of their games.

Round robin for those two divisions are finishing up this morning and we will start playoffs and championships in the afternoon.  I'll be back to wrap things up later on today.  Big shout out to Phil Nolan for this weekend.  It seems like he hasn't gotten off the bench but has still found time to help us out.  He's taking him mom to the Leafs game tonight, which should def be a treat.

I'll talk to everyone later.  HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL!!!