Major Atoms Make it 3 in a Row!, News, Major Atom A - Burton Team of Investment Planning Counsel, 2015-2016, REP (Orillia Minor Hockey Association)

This Team is part of the 2015-2016 season, which is not set as the current season.
News Article
News Article Image
Dec 13, 2015 | Tim Timpano | 1920 views
Major Atoms Make it 3 in a Row!
The Burton Team of Investment Planning Counsel Major Atom Orillia Terriers is making a habit out of winning hockey tournaments.  After walking away with the championship title in Sudbury in October, and repeating the feat at the Orillia Jim Wilson tournament in November, the Terriers made it three in a row in convincing fashion in Newmarket in December.

The eight-team tournament featured teams from as far away as London and Kingston, but none were able to match the work ethic for which the Terriers have become known.  “Every player on this team is getting better with every game we play,” said team official Jason Tucker.  “But our success truly depends on the boys showing up ready to give it their all, and they bought in 100% to win these tournaments.”

Orillia opened the tournament with a not-so-pretty 4-1 win against the Leeds Chargers.  The goals didn’t come easy for Orillia, but their strong defensive play was the key to victory.  Scoring for Orillia were Sam Reda, Ridley Tucker, Carter Balkwill and Aiden MacDonald.  Tucker and Reda also picked up a pair of assists, while single helpers went to MacDonald, Matthew Bush, Curtis Ashkewe and Cooper Long.  James Pritchard earned the win in goal.

In game two of the round-robin, Orillia took on the tournament host Newmarket Redmen.  Orillia jumped out quickly with two goals in the first two minutes, and it turned out to be all they needed to secure a 5-1 win.  MacDonald led the offence for Orillia with a goal and two assists, and Colsen Maracle notched a pair of goals including the game winner.  Tucker had a goal and an assist, and Balkwill had the remaining goal for the Terriers.  Will Timpano and Dylan Rankin both had strong games for Orillia on defence, and both picked up an assist to help out at the other end of the rink.  Carter Oakley turned away all but one of the twelve shots he faced in goal.

Game three was a penalty-filled affair in which Orillia out-gunned the Caledon Hawks by a score of 8-4 to earn first place in their pool and a spot in the semi-finals.  Maracle had two goals and two assists for Orillia, Bush had two goals and one assist, and Tucker also had a pair of goals.  Carter Balkwill and Aiden MacDonald each had a goal and two assists to round out the scoring.  Pritchard got his second win of the tournament in the Orillia net, making some key saves when called upon.

The Terriers drew league rival Markham in the semi-finals, and they pressured and frustrated the Waxers from start to finish in an 8-4 victory.  Aiden MacDonald was the story on offense for Orillia, netting four and adding an assist.  Nolan McMackin added a pair, Ashkewe had a goal and an assist and Balkwill had the remaining Orillia goal.  Bush set up two, and the Terriers’ defensive corps of Timpano, Rankin, Balkwill and Long all chipped in with one assist each.  Oakley took care of business between the Orillia pipes.

Orillia saved its best game of the tournament for the championship final in a rematch with the Redmen.  Newmarket had little time to enjoy their semi-final win over Aurora in a 14-round shootout, as the Terriers pounced on them from the opening face-off and didn’t let up until the final buzzer.  Strong defense and relentless forechecking kept Newmarket on their heels the entire game, and when the dust finally settled, Orillia had earned a well-deserved 5-0 championship victory and a team shutout for Pritchard in goal.  The Terriers’ strong teamwork showed on the scoresheet, with MacDonald, Bush, Reda, Maracle and Balkwill all picking up a goal and an assist.  Long, Tucker and Ashkewe each had assists to help the cause.

Carter Balkwill earned Player of the Game honours in the championship final, and Aiden MacDonald was selected by the team as its Most Valuable Player for the tournament.
Sponsors