Lightning post a shutout in Brampton over the weekend

Caledon Lightning peewee's Paul Moratti had a shared shut-out with Ryan Woodworth against the Brampton Bombers Sunday. Caledon won 5-0. Submitted photo

Sunday's away game at the Brampton Powerade Centre saw Caledon Lightning peewee squad achieve a win of 5-0 against Brampton Bombers.

Caledon goal tenders Ryan Woodworth and Paul Moratti had yet another shared shut-out, their third this season. In fact, it was their second shut-out against the Bombers. Caledon defencemen worked closely with the goalies to keep Brampton from scoring. The offence players were unstoppable, with a staggering average of 17 shots on goal each period.

With an energetic start, the first goal was scored in the first period by Hayden Gorman, assisted by Luke McAree. The second marker came in the second period, scored by Tyler Tiessen assisted by Cody Tremblay.

In the final period the Bombers were worn down, and three further goals were scored by Patrick Bourne (with a little assistance by the Bombers' net minder), McAree and Kristian Balinov. Goals were assisted by Michael Sheridan, Kyle Milik and Gorman.

This exciting game was pretty clean with very few penalties given. The players marked each other well, and their determination paid off.

"Although the score sounds as though the game was all one-sided, this wasn't the case," commented Coach Mike Sheridan. "It was not a quiet game. The Caledon team worked hard to achieve this result."

Last Saturday's game at Inglewood Arena was another fast-paced exciting game, as is becoming the standard for this year's peewee Select League. Both teams hustled well showing what they were made of.

As the regular Inter-city season draws near to a close, every game counts. Lightning had not beaten the Brampton Snipers so far this season, so the players arrived prepared and ready to work hard. They had the upper hand at the start of the game.

The first period saw many shots on the Brampton goal. Then Lightning was awarded a penalty shot. Caledon's Balinov, with his "awesome hand," put in an excellent goal, closing the first period at 1-0 to Caledon.

There was continued action at both ends of the ice. Brampton took a goal early into the period, but Caledon goaltenders Woodworth and Moratti held out many more. Caledon sent several shots to the net from the blue line, but near misses kept the score to 1-1.

Both teams marked each other constantly. The game was rough, but fairly clean, with only a handful of penalties. It was well into the final period that Caledon's Tremblay shot a superb unassisted goal. Brampton took their second goal with three minutes remaining. The fast-paced action continued with tries on goal up to the last 37 seconds of play, closing at a well deserved 2-2 draw.

"The Caledon boys demonstrated some textbook plays, but the Snipers' goalie held them out," commented coach Sheridan. "They didn't quite win, but worked hard and their efforts held the score even!"

Previously, the Lightning had played hard at the Select Team North Toronto Christmas Tournament over the holidays.

Caledon was light a few players due to the season, and two APs stepped in to join the Lightning at the tournament. Aris Morihovitas was there throughout and Jordan Harding was on deck for the final game.

The first game was at 5 p.m. Boxing Day at Larry Grossman Forest Hill Arena, as the Lightning faced the Vaughan Rangers. Each period was played at a straight 14 minutes, and just two minutes into the game Vaughan scored a goal and got a second soon after. The first period closed at 2-0.

The second period saw another Vaughan goal. There were several tries on net before Caledon's Gorman got the first goal close for his mates toward the end of the second period, assisted by Tremblay. Despite some great saves and excellent goal-tending Vaughan managed three more goals. The whole ice was in use with many tries on net at both ends.

In the final moments, Caledon's Balinov scored the second goal, assisted by McAree, bringing the final score to 7-2.

"A disappointing start to the tournament, but they got going toward the end," commented the coach.

Dec. 28, Caledon faced the Ted Reeve Tornadoes.

"With superb goal-tending, great defence and magnificent offence this game, we should name this game, 'Try on Goal'" Coach Sheridan commented.

An exceedingly high average of attempted goals were seen, resulting in just two actual markers being notched in the whole game. Both teams hustled with great energy. Ted Reeve took their goal in the first period, and just one minute before the close of play, Caledon's Milik scored, assisted by Balinov and Bourne. The game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Dec, 29, Caledon faced Cedar Hill, who were at this point the top team in the tournament standings. Caledon started with a great come-back, putting forth an excellent effort. In the first period, Bourne scored, assisted by Sheridan, closing the frame at 1-0. In the second period, Balinov, assisted by Milik and Tremblay, scored two goals. Cedar Hill also took a goal. Again the ice was busy, with many shots on goal at both ends.

Just into the third period, Cedar Hill scored two goals in quick succession. Caledon didn't let it get them down, but continued to step up to the mark again. Caledon's Balinov took another goal, assisted by Sheridan. All the players hustled well with enthusiasm. During at the last moments, Cedar Hill scored a fourth goal, bringing the final scored to a 4-4 draw.

Unfortunately, this brought the tournament to an end for the Lightning.

The Caledon players came away exhilarated with great team spirits. They worked hard and enjoyed meeting the teams in the big city.

"Heroes to zeros, but we love them all the same!" Coach Sheridan declared.