Minor bantam Blackhawks crowned Masters champions

The Caledon minor bantam select Blackhawks ended their season on a positive note by winning their 4th championship of the year. Having lost their league championship game to the Bombers 4-2, 2 weeks earlier the Hawks had something to prove to themselves.

The boys tuned up for this tournament by storming through the GTHA to capture the King Clancy Tournament undefeated. Head coach Joe Maiolino knew that his boys were primed and ready to go. The Bolton Masters Select Tournament was in front of the home crowd and nothing was going to stop the Hawks from adding to their trophy case.

Friday night's opener was against the ever dangerous Solar Bears from Oshawa. This was a team that matched the Hawks in speed and agility.

First-period action was fast and furious as both teams tested the goaltenders. Shot after shot was turned away and the period ended 0-0. However, during the 2nd period the Solar Bears were able to slip two pieces of rubber past Taylor Elkins and go up 2-0. The Hawks, not a team to give up, fought back in the 3rd period when Kyle Sammut converted a pass from Warren Stroud for the Hawks' first goal. Time was running out but the Hawks continued to soften up the Bears with unrestrained body checks. With 1:28 left on the clock assistant coach Gaebler called a time out. The players gathered at the bench as coaching staff explained what they wanted done.

They then sent out the giants. Anthony Gasbarre, Harry Gaebler, Andrew Fellin, Damian Commisso, and Robert Keszeg set up for the face-off.

Everyone hushed as the puck was dropped. The Hawks gained control and carried the puck deep into Bear country. Elkins was called to the bench for the extra attacker. Michael Bellisario rushed into Bear Territory just in time to keep a clearing attempt inside the line. Mad Mike unloaded into the crowd surrounding the net. A scramble ensued as the Hawks banged away at the puck. With the goaltender down and the puck lying in the crease, Gaebler extended his stick and flicked the puck into the empty net to tie the game with 28 seconds left. The crowd went wild, and this was only game one.

Caledon ousts Erindale

The 2nd game, against Erindale, proved to be a little easier as the overpowering speed of the Hawks was no match for the Erindale boys. The Hawks closed down this game 4-1. Goals were scored by Zachary Moszynski, Commisso, Fellin, and Gaebler, with assists going to Stroud, Bellisario, Justin Lollino, Christopher Rotondo, Keszeg and Clarke, Stewart.

Rangers edged

The Hawks faced off against the high flying Kitchener Rangers in game 3 of the tournament. This Ranger team had only lost one game all season and were determined to keep it that way. The Hawks had other plans. They brought their physical game to the rink and knocked the stuffing out of the Rangers in a hard fought 1-0 win. The Hawks' lone goal was scored in the 1st period by Sammut, with assists to Fellin and Lollino. A nasty hit from behind on Joseph DiMarco got under the skin of captain Gaebler, who on the very next play, flattened the offending player with a monstrous body check. Back on the bench Gaebler was heard muttering "nobody cheapshots my players." The beating took its toll on the Rangers as they had nothing left in the 3rd period, and were eliminated from the tournament. Torrey Glendinning was between the pipes and gave his best performance of the year, turning away all 23 shots to earn the shutout.

Final Game

Solar Bears extinguished

Game 3 set up the championship game vs the Solar Bears. Coach Joe, with a glint in his eye and a smile on his face offered up "We can do this."

The first period action saw the Hawks again fall behind 1-0 when Elkins lost sight of the puck out front. This time the Hawks roared back less than a minute later when Bellisario and Vincent Minicucci combined to find Lollino parked in the slot. The end to end action kept the crowd on the edge of their seats.

Both teams had scoring opportunities in the 2nd period, but the only goal scored was a point shot by the Bears that found its way behind Elkins.

The Hawks were behind the eight ball again. A between period pep talk lit a fire in the Hawk furnace. They didn't want to disappoint the home crowd. They began to dominate in the 3rd period. Players began sacrificing their bodies to block shots. First Rotondo, then DiMarco, Miniccuci, and Stroud. They began to finish their checks. Bellisario, Keszeg and Commisso served notice that they weren't giving up. The constant attack knocked the Bears back on their heels and at the 8:45 mark of the 3rd period Stroud found Fellin who made no mistake, to give the Hawks the tying goal. They continued to pound the Bears for the rest of the period and only allowed one shot on net. However the Bear netminder was just as stingy turning away all five Hawk scoring chances.

This game was going into overtime.

The Hawks didn't let up, and continued their onslaught and registered 5 more shots on the bewildered Bear goaltender. The pounding proved too much for the Bears as they took a nasty hit from behind penalty and a cross checking penalty in front of the net. With less than 2 minutes left, coach Joe put out his big guns again and was rewarded when Gasbarre and Bellisario tag-teamed to find Keszeg who buried the puck for the tournament win and the end to a great season.

The boys would like thank their fans, families and sponsors for all the support they received this season, and in no particular order - Intelight Sport, Wee Watch, E&S Mechanical, Solness Inc., Toronto Disposal Service Ltd., Gerry's Door Services & Sales Inc., Fusiontech Communications Inc., Skyview Lanes, 1439957 Ontario Inc., SL Capital, Heritage Tile, Wright International, Bilt- Rite Disposal Equipment Ltd., Ontario Acoustic Supply, Costa Building Supply, Metro Mechanical, Lollino Investments, Rite- Air Mechanical, Mercato Fine Foods, Eagle Contracting, Motor Home Travel Canada Inc., Cucci's Hair Salon, Rayden Electric, Let's Decorate, Renmark Plumbing & Heating Ltd., Decora Schomberg Medal, The Travel Terminal, Caledon Trophy, B & M Contracting, DMC Mechanical, Adelt Mechanical Works Ltd., United Lumber, Gaebler Home Improvements, Renee's Gourmet Foods Inc., NewRich Glass, Mission Rubber, IPEX Inc., Dynamic Flooring, Floyd Aldridge, In Touch Mobility, Wireless One Inc., Prism Tele COM, and Rotondo & Associates Inc.