On November 29th, 2025, the Durham Crusaders U13 LL Blue turned their sights East on the Brighton Bolts U13 Rep/LL Tournament - a one day flurry of games.
Bright and early, the Crusaders faced off against Brighton LL 2 at 8:30am. Coming off of a convincing 9-1 league play win the night before, made for a difficult start. With a slow first period, and a couple of mistakes that were bailed out by the goalie, the Crusaders quickly woke up and commanded most of the game. Outshooting and outscoring, Blue went on to win 5-0 with no powerplay opportunities but going 2 for 2 on the penalty kill. A big showing by Cooper with 2 goals in the game!
After a morning out and a recharge for some at Vito’s Restaurant where the pancakes were piled high, the syrup flowed, and sausage and bacon reigned supreme, the Crusaders returned for Game 2 versus Brighton 1. All warmed up, DC Blue came out with a bit more urgency. Brighton struck first, but within the next 2 minutes Crusaders would bounce back unconventionally with a short-handed goal by Boland. Hamer would end the period with a goal of his own, taking the lead 2-1. The second period started much the same as the first, however, the good guys would score 4 goals in 5 minutes, and trade once more with Brighton to end the period 7-3. The third period would be a little tighter with only one goal both ways, finishing off the win for the Crusaders 8-4 going ⅘ on the powerplay and 2/2 on the PK.
With another short stretch between games, Crusaders would gear up to face a familiar foe for the finals - Campbellford Yellow who holds first and second place with Campbellford Black (shudders) in their own league. Regardless of past experience, this Crusader team undermanned and full of determination was ready to take on the challenge. It was a tight first period, deadlocked at zero with both teams jockeying for position. Neither team was willing to give an inch. In the second, Crusaders would open up the scoring controlling most of the period until the Colts scored with 47 seconds left. After a quick pep talk, Hamer took control in his next shift, scoring 13 seconds later to end the period up 2-1. We were in for a battle. With the third period underway, the Colts would add another halfway through and in similar fashion, Boland decided to take a page out of the second period dramatics and score a minute later. Tensions were high and the Crusaders were up 3-2 with 1:38 left in the game. The play was simple: keep the puck deep, support high. With a faceoff in the opponent’s end, the Colts would win the faceoff, and the thought of pressure was too tempting, luring the forwards deep in the zone, getting caught on a break the other way. The same player that scored the other 2 goals, commanded the play end to end and scored with 52 seconds to go. Overtime!
3 v 3 overtime has not been seen this season yet. Although the Crusaders commanded the play off the faceoff and gained the zone, the star for the Colts would again take control and drive the puck down in the Crusaders end, cutting hard right and releasing a no-look wrister which managed to find a hole high blocker - which had been on fire for Ribble all game.
It was another tough finish for the Crusaders having to settle for second, a second time in a row. The silver lining here however was invaluable. This team was undermanned with players away with injury and sickness and some playing with sickness. They realized the depths they could dig to and just what they could be capable of in the absence of some key members of the team. We take this and move forward stronger as a unit. Well done Crusaders!