Novice AA Hawks end their season in fine style

The Caledon novice AA Hawks made it to the final four in the OMHA playdowns. The team, sponsored by Ontario Flooring Inc. and NuForce Electrical and Security Company, finished their season in style by winning the Niagara Falls Thunder AA tournament.

After a stellar season in the Tri-County novice AA division and making it to the final four in the OMHA playdowns, the Caledon Hawks novice AA team (sponsored by Ontario Flooring Inc. and NuForce Electrical and Security Company) finished their season in style by winning the Niagara Falls Thunder AA tournament.

Taking place during the March Break, the Hawks went undefeated in their final 2007 tournament together, facing off against Flamborough, Uxbridge and Peterborough.

The first game of the tourney had the Hawks playing against the Flamborough Sabres and the young Hawks were in full flight from the opening face-off. Scoring first for Caledon was Liam Winslow with a nice deke around the Sabre netminder to put the Hawks ahead early. Josh Hall scored the 2nd Hawks goal with some hard work in close, assisted by Winslow. Brett Murray showed his speed by jumping on a pass from Brody McLean and driving hard to the net for the Hawks third goal of the game. Winslow found the back of the net again assisted by McLean and Hall for the fourth and final Caledon goal.

The Sabres had several chances throughout the game but the Hawks' solid defence and steady goaltending between the pipes by Nicholas Biamonte, kept Flamborough off the score sheet as the Hawks won 4- 0.

The 2nd game for Caledon was against the Uxbridge Stars and Caledon came out flying again with some nice passing and solid teamwork through all three periods of play.

Brett Murray was on a mission during this tilt with a hat trick. Assisting on Murray's goals with some great passes were Winslow (2), Jacob Lapalme, Joseph Ranieri Matthew D'Urzo and Hall. Brandon Covre also scored for Caledon, assisted by Winslow with a nice wrist shot high in the slot that hand-cuffed the Uxbridge goalie. With the help of some strong defensive play by Mitchell Luzar, Jacob Lapalme, Franco Zuccato, Jonathan Ferguson, Landen Bayes and Kameron Halsall, the Hawks controlled this game from the start.

Barlow had crease duties for this game and played awesome, keeping Uxbridge to just one goal in this 4-1 Caledon win.

Game three of the tourney had Caledon face their toughest competition of the tournament with a game against the Peterborough Nationals.

Winslow picked up where Murray left off by netting a hat trick with assists going to Hall, Bozzo, D'Urzo and Ranieri. Murray scored the fourth goal for Caledon and the Hawks advanced to the semi-final game to once again play Flamborough. Caledon won this game handily 5-2 with goals coming from Hall, Covre, Murray, and McLean (2). Assists were earned by Winslow, Ranieri, Zuccato, D'Urzo and McLean.

Championship

In a hard-fought championship game, Caledon once again faced the feisty Peterborough Nationals and battled through some tough penalty calls to take home the Niagara Thunder Championship by winning 4-2.

Murray opened the scoring for Caledon with a nice goal assisted by Winslow and Ranieri. Winslow added one of his own assisted by D'Urzo and Kameron Halsall. McLean scored the third Caledon goal unassisted and Murray sealed the deal with an empty netter as the final few seconds ticked away. Assists were awarded to McLean and Luzar.

After a season that included a record of 22-3- 3 in the regular season, 10- 5-0 in the OMHA playdowns, 3 tournament wins (Georgetown Best of the Best, Montreal Canada Cup, Niagara Thunder) and a berth in the coveted International Silver Stick in Michigan, the novice AA Hawks have had a tremendous season representing Caledon.

The players have all worked extremely hard and should be very proud of their efforts and success this season.

The 2006/2007 Caledon novice AA Hawks are: Evan Barlow, Landen Bayes, Nicholas Biamonte, Julian Bozzo, Brandon Covre, Matthew D'Urzo, Jonathan Ferguson, Josh Hall, Kameron Halsall, Jacob Lapalme, Mitchell Luzar, Brody McLean, Brett Murray, Joseph Ranieri, Liam Winslow and Franco Zuccato. Coaching staff included Terry McLean (head coach) , Sean Winslow and John Murray (assistant coaches), Maurice Covre (trainer) and team manager Karen Luzar.