This past weekend, the Spartan Intermediate team travelled to Cambridge to participate in their first tournament of the season. Although playing with a short bench throughout the day Saturday, the local team fought hard and showed well, despite going 0-3.
In the first game , played against the Markham Thunder, Peter Hrynuik opened the scoring for the locals at the 6:57 mark to tie the score 1-1 47 seconds after the Thunder had opened the scoring. Liam Brechin and Kieran Godreau picked up the assists. Two goals by Nick Hrynuik and one by Jeremiah Van Benthem had the Spartans up 4-2 at the end of the opening period. Further assists went to Conner Brechin (2), Shyanne Lapossie(2) and Nic Klein . However, a second period that saw the Thunder score 4 times and the Spartans coming up empty saw the Soo team go into the third down 6-4. Both teams played hard, action going up and down the floor, and despite two goals for the Spartans by Kevin Thomas, one unassisted and Liam Brechin assisting on the other, the Soo contingent fell 7-6.
In their second game, the opposition was the top ranked Intermediate team in the province, the Milton Mavericks. Once again the opposition opened the scoring, this time at the 6:13 mark, but the Spartans came back. Nick Hrynuik scored at the 8:40 mark on a feed from Liam Brechin, Tannor Baran scored unassisted at 10:52 , and Nick Hrynuik scored his fourth of the tournament, also unassisted, at 14:35 to send the Spartans into the second up 3-1. However, from that point on, the Mavericks showed why they are in first place. A second period goal by Conner Brechin (Shyanne Lapossie assisting) and third period goals by Liam Brechin (Nick Hrynuik and Conner Brechin picking up the helpers) and Nic Klein (unassisted) weren’t enough as the Mavericks pulled off a 10-6 win.
In what could only be termed unfortunate, the last team the Spartans faced was the second ranked team provincially, the London Blue Devils. The short bench, third game of the day and a poor start factored in to the local warriors dropping an 10-4 decision to the Blue Devils. It should be noted at this time that the stellar play of Daniel Rheaume in nets for the Spartans kept the Soo team in this game most of the way. Goals for the Spartans were scored by Nick and Peter Hrynuik ( 2 each), with Shyanne Lapossie assisting on Peter’s first goal and Tannor Baran assisting on Nick’s first.
Overall, it was a good first outing for the Spartans, especially against teams that of strong caliber and greater numbers. The Intermediates from the Soo never gave up, playing through injuries and fatigue that made their games a delight to watch and garnished praise from opposition players and coaches, as well as tournament officials.
The Spartans would also like to thank their sponsors, Sault Ste Marie Airport Development Corporation and Nav Canada, for making this year possible.
