The following information was submitted to ThoroldNews by Beth Boekestyn:
The Thorold Newman Electric peewees advanced into the round robin of the Group A playoff pool and were looking to extend their season. They faced the Welland Tigers #3 team.
In a best of four points series, game one took place at the Thorold arena where both teams played and evenly fought hard for the whole game.
Both goalies managed astonishing saves to stop every shot through two and a half frames. It remained a tense 0-0 tie until 13 minutes into the third period. In a scramble in front of Thorold’s net, Welland found the back of the net with minimal time to spare. This last-minute goal gave Welland in a 1-0 win and two points in the series.
Game two became do or die for Thorold. With added fire in their feet, the team came together and started with an early goal. The game was a back and forth on the scoreboard until Thorold took a commanding lead in the last period for a 6-3 final score.
Goals were scored by Ryder Boekestyn (2), Coban Boekestyn, Blake Sider, Wesley Dionne and Hayden Ferguson. The game also featured solid support from all team members. This win for the Thorold team tied the series, with two points each, leading to a final showdown in game three.
Back on Thorold ice for game three, the Welland Tigers came out of the gate quickly. With a quick 2-0 lead for Welland, Thorold had some work ahead of it to come together as a team.
Heading into period two, after some back and forth play Wesley Dionne scored Thorold’s first goal.
Welland slid one past goalie Mathew Sorely’s stellar side to side moves for them to take a 3-1 lead. With 15 minutes on the clock of what could be the final game, Ryder Boekestyn scored from the hash marks to pull within one.
Thorold was all hands on deck in Welland’s end in the final few minutes to go. Welland stood their ground, denying any scoring opportunities and taking advantage after Thorold pulled the goalie. They notched two empty-net goals.
A tough 5-2 loss for the Newman Electric peewees advanced the Welland Tigers #3 to the Peewee Local League Championship.
Hats off to all players, coaches, volunteers and city organizations for their assistance and time.
