OMHA Champions - 2013/14, News, Bantam AE, 2013-14 (Ilderton Jets)

This Team is part of the 2013-14 season, which is not set as the current season.
News Article
News Article Image
Mar 29, 2014 | Mark Jordan | 2163 views
OMHA Champions - 2013/14
Congratulations to a great group of young Men!

Your hard work, determination and never quit attitudes
completes a very successful season!


On Friday night March 28, 2014 in thier home rink, the Ilderton Jets Bantam AE team
captured the OMHA Bantam AE Group 4/5 Championship.

This victory capped a succesfull season for these fine young men.
Playing in the very competitive Shamrock league the guys found themselves
in 1st place at Christmas, ahead of perennial powerhouse teams Strathroy and Dorchester.
We finished the regular season with a 10-3-7 record good for 4th place, only
7 points behind 1st place Dorchester.

At the regional Silver Stick in Exeter we were up against the usual strong teams losing to
Strathroy in the Finals. This earned us an invitation to the International Silver Stick Finals
in Niagara Falls after New Years. The boys played 5 tough games losing in the Tier 2 semi-finals
to eventual champion Lincoln. This high level of competition was a major factor in preparing
the guys for thier successful OMHA playoff run.

After a first round sweep of Lambton Shores, we played a physical South Bruce team
in the semi-finals. This series went the maximum 6 games and we finished it off with a
convincing 5-1 win in Teeswater, sending the Jets to the OMHA finals.

The Goderich Sailors eliminated the Lakefield Chiefs in the other semi-final setting
up the final series. Game #1 saw the Jets, with some jitters and nervous moments
in front of a good size crowd, lose 4-2. Game #2 in Goderich effected the home team
in the same way as the Jets emerged with a 6-3 win. Game #3 back in Ilderton, the Jets
continued to "Crash" the net and pepper the Goderich goalie with quality scoring opportunities.
Final score was 5-2 putting the guys one win away from the title. In game #4 in Goderich the Jets
came out flat losing 3-2, allowing Goderich to tie the series setting the stage for Game #5.

Yes there were more Goderich fans in attendance (maybe 3 or 4) for Game #5,
but our guys silenced them by playing thier best game of the season. The players
on the bench erupted in emotional cheer as the clock ticked down, than raced to join
thier team mates on the ice to celebrate this once in a lifetime experience.
Final score 3-1 Jets!

Every one of you guys should be very proud of yourself!
You have worked hard all season and I hope you cherish this moment forever.

Congratulations Young Men, you deserve this!

Thank You Parents for getting the boys to the rink and for those Sunday 7am practices.

Also a special Thank You goes to some of the people who helped behind the scenes.
Apologies if I forgot someone.

Jennifer Gysbers - Timekeeper/Announcer
Brigitte Girling - Scorekeeper
Mackenzie Kelly - Scorekeeper
Trevor Thornton - Practice/Skills development
Jan Bulmer - Fundraising Rep

Thank You for a great season!
Rick Smith



Sponsors