Midget Hawks heat up at Avalanche Tournament

The Caledon Hawks midget AE team spent their Thanksgiving weekend playing in the Toronto Avalanche tournament. Combining an explosive offence and a stifling defence, along with a formidable goaltending tandem, and a very thorough coaching staff, this Hawks team ran the table all the way to the semifinals before finally running out of gas.

The Hawks served notice that even though they are one of the youngest teams on the circuit, they are a force to be reckoned with.

Hawks 7, Port Credit Storm 3

Brandon Jessop fired three goals to help lead the Hawks past Port Credit in an extremely fast-paced game that had goalie Connor Gough facing 35 shots. John Kerr scored 2 goals; Gabriel Donovan scored the Hawks' sixth goal, and Nicholas Stabile finished the scoring with a booming blast from the blue-line. Adding assists were Tyler Dingli, Franco D'Acri, Josh Turner with 2, Alex Butts with 2, Chris Mete with 2, Matt Speck, and Alex Fantin.

Hawks 5, Toronto Avalanche 1

A scoreless first period was followed by Jessop scoring on a power play from Speck and D'Acri. Kerr scored unassisted before Jessop from Matt DiBartolomeo made the score 3-0.

The third period opened with another blast from Stabile to make the score 4-0. Turner and Mete executed a nice tictac toe play with Mete burying a Turner pass right inside the crease for a 5-0 lead. Goalie TJ Leach continued the Hawks' goaltending clinic as he came within minutes of recording a shutout.

Hawks 6, Vaughan Rangers 2

Kerr, from D'Acri, scored the only goal of the first two periods. The quiet was shattered in the third as the Hawks erupted for 5 goals. Donovan, Mario Lattavo, Corey Carlos, Turner and Butts all scored for the Hawks with helpers from Jacob Franko, Turner, Butts, Jessop, Mete, Stabile, and Donovan. Gough was razor-sharp in the cage for the Hawks.

Hawks 2, Sarnia Sting 2

The Hawks battled a very physical Sting team to a well deserved tie. The tie was a costly one though, as the Hawks suffered a number of suspensions that would come back to haunt them in the semis.

DiBartolomeo and Mete provided the scoring with Lattavo, D'Acri and Donovan assisting. Leach was a rock for the Hawks in net.

Toronto Aeros 3, Hawks 1

With injuries, illnesses, and suspensions taking their toll, an exhausted, under-manned Hawks team faced the Aeros with a trip to the championship on the line.

The Hawks struck first as Mete scored from Speck from Nick Brouillette. The game remained 1-0 until mid-way through the third when the Aeros struck for a pair. An empty netter ended tournament play for the Hawks who should be extremely proud of the way they played.

Congratulations to players Nick Brouillette, Alex Butts, Corey Carlos, Franco D'Acri, Matt DiBartolomeo, Tyler Dingli, Gabriel Donovan, Alex Fantin, Jacob Franko, Brandon Jessop, John Kerr, Mario Lattavo, Chris Mete, Matthew Speck, Nicholas Stabile, and Joshua Turner for a job well done. Kudos to the coaching staff of: Emilio D'Acri, Richard Butts, Tom Dingli, and Nicki D'Acri.