The Barry’s Bay Bears Atom House team completed a milestone last weekend, winning second place overall at the Almonte/Pakenham Thunder Minor Hockey Association Atom C House League Tournament. Held November 23-25, the tournament took place at the Stewart Community Centre, in Pakenham, Ontario. The 10 and 11 year old players went home with silver medals to show off their hard work, winning three out of five games. Pictured above are Players: Ethan Alix, Duncan Biernaski (goalie), Lyla Burgess, Amelia Dombroskie, Chace Dombroskie, Rylan Kuiack, Liam Kutchkoski, Blake Pecarskie, Peyton Plebon, Preston Quade, Ethan Roche, Kaiden Schutt, and Liam Wagner. (Missing Nicholas Levair and Gavin Lundy) Atom Bear coaches are Clint Roche, David Alix, Thomas Plebon, Clayton Dombroskie, and Rodney Biernaski; team managers Ash-ley Quade and Heather Roche; and jersey management Brandi Dombroskie. Team photo: Thomas Plebon
“This tournament success was a result of a great collaboration of the coaches, but most of all due to the hard work of all the players. They are improving their skills and working together as a team! Proud of them all!” said Clint Roche, coach.
Friday night the Bears played South Dundas, losing a close game 3-4. Saturday noon, they played Osgoode and won 10-0; followed by a win later in the afternoon against tournament hosts Almonte/Pakenham Thunder, 2-1. Saturday’s success placed the Bears in second place in the semi-finals. Sunday morning in the semi-finals, the Bears won 4-3 against third place Almonte/Pakenham Thunder in an edge-of-your-seat game that had spectators standing in the final seconds of the game to cheer the winning goal. In the final game Sunday afternoon, the Bears tied South Dundas, in a heart-stopping game that ended in overtime and then a shootout with South Dundas winning 4-3 and taking first place overall. Goalies for both teams took MVP. The Bears proudly went home second place winners overall with silver medals around their necks. Off the rink the players enjoyed a fun weekend of pool parties and a team lunch.
This tournament showed the Atom Bears are ready for a strong season!
“Whether we win or not, the whole point is to have fun,” said Duncan Biernaski, goalie.
Pictured above: the Atom Bears in action; traditional handshake (Photos Heather Roche)
