Mar 14, 2016 | Captain Katie's Mom | 3056 views
Beverly PeeWees Pepsi Hockey Invitational 2016 CHAMPS!
Our PeeWee Bandits battled in Buffalo to bring the
Pepsi Hockey Invitational 2016 Championship banner home to Beverly!
CONGRATULATIONS!
Our Beverly Bandits PeeWee team wrapped up their 2015-16 season with their much anticipated trip to Buffalo, New York for the 40th Annual Pepsi Hockey Invitational.
Each Bandit stepped onto the ice ready to battled the puck every shift during every game. Their effort and determination made them unstoppable the entire tournament! But it wasn't all work, our PeeWee team pretty much applied the same focus and determination during their off ice activities, too – having a fabulously fun experience! (Some of the parents showed as much determination in their own 'endeavours' but what happens in Buffalo, stays in Buffalo!)
The PeeWees arrived in Buffalo Friday evening to face a team who had a lot of attitude on the ice and referees looking the other way. The Fulton Raiders tried to knock our Bandits about but our players held strong. Goals were slow but persistence paid off with a goal in the first and second period. Fulton managed to get a couple in to make the game more exciting and to shift focus from the bruises our Bandits were accumulating. With a tie and the clock ticking down Adam Solonik sent the winning goal in, 3-2 Beverly and 4 points.
Saturday morning found the Bandits up against the Louisville Lightnings. Another well played game despite a late night. A clean sweep, 6-0 Beverly and 5 points, having won each period plus the game. The rest of the day was theirs to enjoy. Coach Max had organized Sabres tickets (thanks!!). After cheering the Sabres to an overtime 3-2 victory, the group made their way to the Pearl Street Grill & Brewery. If you find yourself in Buffalo, stop in – the staff did an excellent job taking care of all 80 some of us and the food/drinks were great!
Sunday's 8:15am game came painfully fast thanks to those clocks springing ahead an hour. This didn't rattle the PeeWee team one bit. They came out fast and hard against the Cortland Flames (NY). Another 8-2 win, another 5 points to secure their spot in the championship game at 2:15pm!
The PeeWees were matched against a team who let in a single goal and who scored 29 goals the whole tournament. With results like that the Schenectady Charges (NY) thought they were going to skip along to an easy win. Two quick, beauty goals from Dante DeFelice startled Schenectady. The Beverly PeeWees had a plan and there was no stopping them. Another goal for Dante, followed by one for Darian Ellis, whose speed was hard to match!
Frustration in the Schenectady Charges was evident in their play and in the penalty box. Fortunately, referees were making calls and keeping things from escalating. A better game could have been had if Charges had played smart instead of rough. A Beverly Mom overheard a Schenectady Mom instruct her son's coach to bench him for his 'chippy' play. She was not impressed but we were – we'd like to think we'd do the same roles reversed!
The third period was just as exciting with everyone playing strong, smart and focused. Goals from Dante, Ramsay 'Rammer' Jackson and Ben Broadbent. Captain Katie Travis tucked the final goal in as the third period was wrapping up. The Beverly Bandits PeeWee team earned their 8-1 win that afternoon in Buffalo!
Congratulations to Flynn, Big Ben, Elaine, Ben, Dante, Josh, Darian, Ramsey, Hayden, Kylie, Owen, Neil, David, Adam, Scotty and Katie and to Coaches Max, Andy, Brad, Pete and James on your Championship WIN! What a great way to end your already incredible season.
Game STAR Award Winners
Game 1 |
Adam Solonik (game winning goal)
Game 2 | Kylie Nimijohn (serious bruiser battles)
Game 3 | Scotty Steunenberg (awesome player)
Game 4 | Dante DeFelice
Pepsi Invitational Game Results
Friday March 11
3-2 Bev vs Fulton Raiders, NY
Saturday March 12
6-0 Bev vs Louisville Lightning, NY
Sunday March 13
8-2 Bev vs Cortland Flames, NY
Championship Game 8-1 Bev vs Schenectady Charges, NY
Print quality photos:
Pepsi Invitational 2016 - PeeWee Champs *
*Claudia's photos will be added – she took a lot of great ones!
CONGRATULATIONS to our other Beverly Bandits who also traveled to Buffalo to participated in the Pepsi Invitational - Atom 1 and Bantam. There was plenty of great hockey to be seen in Buffalo and our Bandits all played well with a mix of wins and losses. The score board rarely reflects the effort on the ice that our Bandits give each game. It was a great tournament weekend with fun had by all!
GO BANDITS GO!
