Dec 09, 2023 | Jennifer LeLievre | 143 views
Paul Dossey Memorial Tournament
Well, folks, gather 'round and let me tell you a tale of heart, grit, and the Durham Crusaders hitting the ice like an Armageddon at the Paul Dossey Memorial Tournament in Bradford!
On November 17th, these blades of glory rolled into town for the U13 Rep Division show down, and let me tell you, they left a mark that won't be forgotten anytime soon.
Game one, and it was a barn-burner against the South Simcoe Storm. These kids battled it out like gladiators on ice, trading blows like heavyweight champs. The final buzzer rang, and the Durham Crusaders skated off with a hard-fought 5-4 victory! Momentum was the name of the game, and these boys had it in spades after that thriller.
Onto the Saturday double-header, and the Crusaders were on a mission.
First up, they faced the Talbot Trail Blazers, and it was a clinic in teamwork. Passes like poetry and a solid defense left the Blazers in the dust with a 4-0 shutout. Parents were on their feet, and the team was on fire, heading into game three like a well-oiled hockey machine.
Team lunch at Boston Pizza? You betcha! These kids know how to celebrate, fueling up on the finest grub and building bonds that would make even the toughest enforcers jealous.
With bellies full and spirits high, they took on the Aurora Tigers that evening. Spoiler alert: it wasn't even close. A 7-1 dismantling left the Tigers scratching their heads, and the Crusaders soared into the semi-finals undefeated.
Sunday morning, and the Crusaders were feeling the fatigue, but champions don't sleep in. Facing off against the Kingston Canadians, both teams hungry for that Paul Dossey Memorial trophy, it was a clash for the ages. Back and forth, shot for shot, and just when it seemed the Crusaders might be down for the count, Coach Roger stepped in with his sage wisdom. A 4-2 victory punched their ticket to the finals!
The finals, folks – the Crusaders against the South Simcoe Storm once more. The tension was thicker than a frozen pond, and these kids knew they were in for a battle. Luck didn't quite swing their way this time, and the Storm edged them out 2-1. A bitter pill to swallow, but let me tell you, the Durham Crusaders held their heads high. Second place, sure, but the pride, the growth, and the sheer determination these kids displayed left a lasting mark. So, here's to the Durham Crusaders – warriors on ice, fighters to the end. They might've taken silver this time, but mark my words, folks, these kids are destined for greatness.
Don Cherry signing off, until the next thrilling chapter on the ice!
Written by Parent Leeland Brooks