Jan 12, 2026 | Kate Wilenski | 120 views
Crusaders Win Gold at Grafton Classic
This one-day tournament was a fun day for the players. Six teams were competing with four from the Inter-Community Hockey League and Ennismore Eagles from the League of Eastern Ontario, and the format consisted of two pools of three teams with each team playing their pool opponents with the first placed teams playing in the “A” Championship Final and so on.
GAME 1 v. PRINCE EDWARD COUNTY KINGS LL1 [WON 3-0]
We started against a strong Kings team who had come to play and both teams went hard from the outset. It was an even contest until Neath gave us the lead late in the first period, and then a rush goal on his backhand by McPherson opened up a 2-0 lead, and Siebert killed the contest with a third prior to the end of the second period. A good start.
GAME 2 v. FRONTENAC FLYERS LL1 [WON 8-0]
A dominant second game against the Flyers was over by the end of the first period. Godsmark with an excellent hat-trick, Mellor 2, Annis, Fisher and Siebert with the other goals, and the chance for some defence to play forward and vice versa in the third period. Burleau and Lawrence getting their second joint shut out of the day, with the goal keeping duties shared in both games.
“A” CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL v. ENNISMORE EAGLES [WON 5-4 OT]
The Crusaders started promisingly, having a goal disallowed for a high stick inside 30 seconds, however shortly afterwards Mellor broke away and put it on a plate for Bowen to tap in the first goal. Then a Neath drive up the ice fell nicely for Piette who finished adeptly for an early 2-0 lead. A coaching error led to a too many men penalty and they scored a soft goal shortly thereafter, however a great breakaway pad save by Lawrence kept us ahead until they equalized for a 2-2 first period. In the second Mellor outworked the defender, his shot was saved thenhis centred puck to Bowen was also saved only for Mellor to tuck in the rebound. There was a goalie change, but a long-range shot found the net through the hands of Burleau for a 3-3 end of second, and then another shot dropped on the line at the start of the third and was put in for 4-3 Eagles. The boys kept battling and Mellor prodded one over the line for 4-4 with just over 2 minutes remaining. An amazing last ten second pad save by Burleau was needed and OT beckoned. One minute of 4on4 couldn’t separate the teams but in the 3on3 minute Mellor spun on the boards and backhanded a pass through the Eagles trio for Neath to fire into the top corner with 3.6 seconds remaining.
The boys all rushed onto the ice and celebrated their third tournament win of the season, a toque and certificate were awarded to the winners, the champions of the Grafton Classic 2026.
1-2-3 DC!