Wee Diggers strike silver in Orillia

The Innisfil Winterhawks Wee Digger Atom AE team won a silver medal at the 2007 Jim Wilson Tournament in Orillia last month. The team won several games at the tournament, before losing to the Hamilton Ice Cats.

On Nov. 9, the team travelled north this time to take part in Orillia's 2007 Jim Wilson Tournament. Their first game proved to be their toughest, losing to a strong Hamilton Ice Cat team by a score of 5-1. The lone goal for the Hawks was scored by Kyle Sickinger, assisted by Travis Davies and Jesse Tuckey.

The boys had time to recoup as their next game would take place Saturday morning against a familiar Barrie Colts team. This time, the boys dominated their neighbours throughout the game, winning the contest by a score of 4-2. Thanks to a great showing from our goalie Taylor Apsby and our team Captain Cole Vardy and Luke Heibert, who both produced doubles. Assists went to Marshall Hamilton, Brenden Montague, Josh Columbus, and Walker Curtis.

The boys took the ice once again in the afternoon to take on Oshawa. This was a must win game for the Winterhawks. They came out flying. The game was intense and fast with the Hawks keeping pace with the quick passing Oshawa team. Goalie Harrison Dietrich saw plenty of action and did a great job stopping pucks. Team captain Cole Vardy led the team with another double goal game, scoring the winner with just minutes left to play. Assists this time going to Matthew McGrath, Marshall Hamilton and Walker Curtis. This win gave the Wee Digger team a berth in the semi final game on Sunday morning against the Georgetown Raiders.

Sunday came early and the boys where pumped while coach Dave Davies gave them the pregame chat. When the team hit the ice you could see the confidence in their strides. Josh Columbus started off the scoring for Innisfil, assisted by Luke Heibert and Cody Harrison. Second goal was popped in the net by defenseman Nathan Parker, assisted by Cole Vardy. The game winner went to Travis Davies, assisted by Jacob McLeary and Jesse Tuckey. Goalie Taylor Apsby was on his game, keeping a keen eye on the puck and coming up with some key saves between the pipes. Defensemen Cooper Moores and Jett Karreman played a strong game in front of Taylor as the boys skated to a 3-2 win. The Winterhawks advanced to the finals, where they would meet the tournament's undefeated Hamilton Ice Cat team once again.

After a team breakfast and warm up, the boys prepared to meet the Ice Cats. As the zamboni rounded the ice, spectators could hear the Winterhawks team cheer from the breezeway. As both teams waited to enter the ice they began a war of team cheers back and forth with each team getting louder and louder. The crowd was on their feet as the two teams took the ice and when the puck dropped Innisfil showed they where prepared for the Ice Cats this time. Cody Harrison scored first for the Hawks assisted by Luke Heibert. The Cats answered that goal soon after to tie the game at one a piece. The team dug in deep against the Cats, holding them off until the third period, when the Hamilton team took the lead 2-1. With little time left the Hamilton team scored their final goal.