Caledon's bantam AA Wild Wing Hawks soar into season
From The Bench

New season, new sponsor (Wild Wings in Bolton), some new players, and we're off to the races. Opening up in Brampton at Memorial Arena was as good a place as any for this team to test their wings.

Call it nervous jitters, over-anxiousness, trying too hard. Trying too hard? Yeah, these guys want to play, and come to play hard. It's tough playing in Brampton - small ice surface, and tiny dressing rooms, kind of hard to spread your wings.

Caledon scored the first goal of the season, unfortunately on their own net. A complete fluke, and a hard way to start off, but the outcome would tell a different tale.

The Hawks were down 3-0 by the end of the second period. Good thing for the flood before the third period. It gave the coaches a minute of breathing space, and a re-group session. They came out flying in the third.

Daniel Leone scored the team's official first goal of the season and gave them the lift they were searching for. Luca scored mid-way through the period, and the momentum carried forward. Some excellent hard work throughout the period. No one let up, and some fine work by Mark Anthony Romano who made his way in from the blue line to help set up the game-tying goal by Robert Biasia. Final 3-3. Character, a pure character win.

Next stop, Georgetown, against the defending OMHA champions. Alcott Centre is a bright rink, good ice surface, lots of room to move around, and the all important rivalry. After all, they beat Caledon last year to take the cup. The entire team, players, coaches, and parents were in for a treat. As with the previous game, the guys were here with purpose. You could feel it in the hall, in the dressing room and on the bench.

With a couple of early goals the Hawks were up and feeling comfortable. Couple of more goals and this was almost a walk in the park. A fine performance in net by Jon Gargaro and a 4-1 victory.

Let's move on to Dundas. Third game of the season, a new team to the division, and once again a clear sense of direction.

First shift into the game and Caledon scored. Impressive for sure. Unfortunately an exceptional opportunity to flex some talent was blindsided by an outburst of immaturity. With four minutes left in the game and a 5-0 lead, the Hawks were goaded into what was nothing more than a bunch of turkeys in a mosh pit. Fights, penalties galore, suspensions; even the goalies got into it.

Not the coaches idea of a good win. It was a 5-1 final and five out of a possible six points in the first three games.

It was an excellent way to begin the season, and some real promise by these players. Leaving the nest wasn't so hard; just wait until they come home to play.

DL