Congratulations to the Simcoe Warriors U15 Team 1 for a
great weekend January 13th to 15th attending the Ernie Clayton tournament in Welland.
Picture Front row - Lukas Inman, Elliott DeDecker, Miguel Martins, Campbell Shrubsole, Charlie Long, Ethan Wright Back row - Coach Steve Shrubsole, Coach Vic Rodrigues, Takoda Atkinson-Soloman, Marlon Sheppard, Coach Doug Rixmann, Oliver Grace, Brady Smith, Dawson Montague, Jack Rixmann, Matthew Rodrigues, Nicholas Rodrigues, Coach Rich Long, Coach Cory Inman
Simcoe started off the weekend with an early Friday morning game against the Pelham Panthers. The Warriors went up early with goal only a minute and half into the game and didn't look back. Simcoe would end up putting 7 goals on the board and relentlessly defending their end leading to a 7-0 victory. Player of the game honours went to Miguel Martins.
Simcoe was then matched up with against West London Hawks. In a tight match, the Warriors were able to go up 2-0 and then hold on for an eventual 2-1 win. Campbell Shrubsole, incredible in net all weekend, was able to make a key save aginst a breakway with less than a minute left to secure the win. Campbell was awarded player of the game honours.
The Warriors would then play a tight game against solid Mount Brydges Cougars squad. In a tight-fought game, Simcoe was able to put two goals across from Marlon Sheppard and Miguel Martins. The defense and goal-tending was again able to secure a shutout for the 2-0 win, putting the Warriors through to Sunday as the top seed.
Simcoe opened the semi-finals Sunday morning against the fourth place host team from Welland. Continuing the solid play in their own end, the Warriors were able put three goals across the line and shutout their opponent. Lukas Inman and Marlon Sheppard were awarded players of the game.
In the finals, Simcoe met up with the only other undefeated team in the tournament, the North London Nationals. Simcoe was down 2-0 at the end of the first period, and then battled back to tie it up with goals by Marlon Sheppard and Jack Rixmann. With only 1 minute 40 seconds left in the third period, North London was able to put the winning goal across. They would later tack on to their lead with an empty net goal to seal a 4-2 win and send Simcoe home with the silver medal.