Nov 01, 2025 | Kate Wilenski | 323 views
Crusaders Thrive at Millbrook Fall Classic
The Durham Crusaders Green team arrived in Millbrook to compete in their first tournament of the season full of excitement, energy and hope. A significant number of the team had played, and succeeded, at this tournament in years gone by and expectations were high on arrival Friday morning.
Group Stages: Game 1 v. Kawartha Coyotes [Won 8-0] / Game 2 v. Essa Eagles [Won 9-1] / Game 3 v. Millwood Stars White [Won 10-1]
The group stages resulted in three comfortable victories against the Coyotes, Eagles and Stars. Goals and assists were shared out between the team and the defence were all on point protecting the goalies with only two goals conceded in the first three games of the tournament. The Crusaders qualified for the semi-finals as Pool A group winners with a goal differential of 27-2, but with the knowledge that the harder games were to come on finals day.
Semi-Final: v. Penetang Flames [Won 2-0]
The semi-final was a close affair throughout thanks to the Penetang goalie who played excellent and kept her team in the game. The stats showed that the Crusaders outshot their opposition by 18 shots to 6, but the game winning goal was scored by Neath, followed by a goal in the second period forPiette. The whole team stepped up and the defence again were shutdown, and the forwards all back checked as hard as they could and it showed with the shut out for Lawrence who made a couple of excellent third period saves.
Championship Final: v. Duoro Dukes [Won 7-2]
The final took place early afternoon between the two teams who had run through the competition unbeaten in their four games to date. Burleau started between the sticks and the same lines from the semi-final were once again maintained as the Championship game began. It was a very strong start from the Crusaders with a couple of good chances already spurned before Siebert opening the scoring with less than two minutes on the clock. The Dukes scored with their very first shot on target to level the scores and the first period ended 1-1. In the second period it was Neath who added another goal to his tally and the second period ended with the score 2-1 to Crusaders. The third goal arrived on an excellent rush from McPherson who drove to the net around the outside of the defence and put the puck through the goalies five hole, and the third period became more comfortable as more goals were scored through Siebert 2, Mellor and Fisher, only punctuated by a consolation goal when the score was 6-1. Burleau made several good saves during the final, especially whilst the game was still in the balance at 2-1. The shot tally of 23-22 suggested a closer game than it was, and the boys hugged it out at the end celebrating an excellent first tournament win to set the season on the right track. 1-2-3 DC! - Dale Mellor