This article was written by Team Co-Manager Rob Faulconbridge and submitted to the Ayr News for the April 9, 2014 Edition.The team as pictured is:
Front Row: Tim Hart, Colt Seraphim, Brennen Moore, Jacob Yates, Carson Bolger, Ryan Arsenault, Ben Cordon, Andrew Hart, Jesse Faulconbridge, Evan Craib, Nathan Tomaz, Michael Pley. Back Row: Colin Gauthier, John Lochner, Emmett Lund, Tyler Martin, Will Lochner, Matthew Pley, Andrew Elliott, Alex Hall, Spencer Bolger, Josh Woznica, Joel Hesselink, Damon Strong, Tom Atkinson, Rob Faulconbridge, Chase Hillenaar, Brian Lund.Photo courtesy of Clare Arsenault.
Sadly, the 2013-2014 season for the Midget Rep team has come to an end.
It was a fairly successful season with some very competitive hockey played. There were many memorable moments this season, too many to mention in one article, so only a few can be touched upon here. The team finished with an overall record of 52-12-3. The team had some early tournament success as they won the Wingham Regional Silver Stick tournament in November. After going unbeaten through the round robin portion they dispensed with Dunnville in a great come from behind win and then shut out Lambeth 4-0. As a result the team was able to play in the International Silver Stick tournament held in Forest, Ontario in January. They ran into some stiff competition from two Michigan teams and were unable to advance past the round robin portion in the International Silver Stick.
In early December the team traveled to Parry Sound to participate in the Bobby Orr Hall of Fame Classic tournament. The team was put out in the semi-finals of that tournament but played some good hockey, one memorable game from that tournament was against the host team, with the stands packed to the rafters for an evening game that saw some serious ice resurfacing issues the Flames prevailed 1-0.
Later in December, Ayr competed in the Hespler Olympics "A" tournament down the road in Hespler. The Flames won the tournament after going undefeated beating Oshawa, Fort Erie and Hespler.
The Flames regular season came to an end with the team finishing in second place, having lost only one game in regular season. The loss (1-0) was on the road in Wellesley and was a controversial loss. The Flames had clearly scored a goal but the referee, skating with the rapidity of molasses in January, was well behind the play and waved off the goal.
In OMHA Playdown action the Flames swept Paris 3-0 and then terminated Tavistock in three straight in the quarter finals. In the semi-finals the Flames met a tough opponent in Mount Brydges but the Flames gutted out a win in the 6th game of the grueling series 5-2. The game was close until the third period started when Joel Hesselink scored an incredible goal that took the wind out of Mt Brydges' sails.
The OMHA Playdowns finals was a very physical series against Ennismore. The Flames battled hard, kept their composure and their cool throughout the series but lost 3 games to one. The team should be proud of what they achieved through the entire season, in addition to only losing one regular season game, Colt Seraphim also posted an incredible 27 shut outs. This season saw every skater light the lamp which indicates how well rounded the team was.
The team's successes could not have come without being able to adapt to many changes, dealing with significant injuries and great teamwork, and this includes the many AP players who came out to help and support the team all year. A big thank you goes out to the Arsenault clan for their unwavering support to the team!