The weekend of December 9-10-11 proved to be a busy one for the South Dundas ScotiaBank Atom C Lions and they spent much of it working their way to the championship final of the North Dundas Mega House tournament where they lost to the Casselman Castors, 3-2, after two overtime periods and four shoot out rounds.
Friday night, December 9, the Lions were in Winchester for game one of the Mega House tournament.
In their first game, the Lions posted a 1-0 victory against a tight checking North Dundas Demons team on a first period goal by affiliate player Sean Nicolaassen.
Despite numerous chances, the Lions were unable to put another goal past the Demons goalie.
Thanks to a strong effort by the Lions defence of Caleb Douma, Morgan Hummel, Trystyn Hummel and Matt Mackay the Demons were unable to get many shots through to Lions goalie Michaela Mustard.
This defensive play enabled Mustard to post the shutout.
Chloe Hart earned Player of the Game for her determination and multiple scoring chances.
Next up for the Lions was a Saturday game versus the Ottawa East Fire who had also won their first game of the tournament.
The Lions came out flying and played their best game of the year as they worked their way to a 6-0 victory.
The Lions forechecked so thoroughly, the Fire had trouble getting the puck out of their own zone for most of the game.
Sean Nicolaassen again opened the Lions scoring assisted by Chloe Hart.
Jaeden Shaver scored his first goal of what would become a natural hat trick to put the Lions up 4-0 after two periods.
Drawing assists on Jaeden’s three goals were Shelby Martineau (two), Mackenzie McKee Markell (two) and Caleb Douma.
The Lions final two goals were scored by Kendrew Byers with Rachel Nicolaasen and Owen Ordendi drawing assists on both.
Rachel Nicolaassen was a buzz saw around the net, creating turnovers and making strong passes. As a result she was named Player of the Game.
Michaela Mustard picked up her second consecutive shutout in the 6-0 victory.
With two victories in preliminary play the Lions were off to the “A” Final against the Casselman Castors who had won their previous two games by a combined score of 12-2.
After Casselman opened the scoring the Lions came clawing back.
A shorthanded goal by Shelby Martineau tied the game at 1-1 with assists credited to Jaeden Shaver and Morgan Hummel.
This seemed to spark the team as they continued pressuring the Castors.
This persistence paid off when Kendrew Byers scored from Rachel Nicolaassen and Owen Orendi to give the Lions a 2-1 lead heading to the third period.
In the final frame, the teams exchanged numerous chances as the goalies made great saves time after time.
Unfortunately, the Lions could not hold the lead as the Castors tied the game up at 2-2 on a breakaway with less than three minutes left on the clock.
The following overtime periods of four on four and then three on three were instant classics with rush after rush resulting in great chances but no game winning goals.
After the 2 overtime periods, the teams began a sudden death shootout.
The Lions fantastic tournament run came to an end when the Castors scored the winner on the fourth round of shootouts.
A full arena was cheering both teams at the end of a hard fought nail biter of a final.
Shelby Martineau was awarded the Player of the Game in recognition of her short handed goal and her effort.
Michaela Mustard stopped many shots in regulation and overtime and then played great in the shootout as well.
A tired bunch of Lions headed to Prescott on Sunday, December 11 to face the first place South Grenville 1 Rangers, and although they gave the Rangers a run for their money, they settled for a 3-2 loss.
It would have been understandable if the Lions had not been able to get up for this game, but the Lions determination would not allow that.
The Lions opened up the scoring with Shelby Martineau getting one past the Rangers goalie. Jaeden Shaver drew an assist on the first goal.
The Rangers came back to get the next two goals to take a 2-1 lead into the third period.
Devon Swindells struck for the Lions to tie the game 2-2 with the assist going to Owen Orendi and Chloe Hart.
The Rangers Michaela Mustard scored the winner with three minutes left in the game.
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