The Sarnia bantam Pacers travelled to Guelph this past weekend to participate in the Chuck Miller Royal City Classic tournament.

Playing with a short bench, the Pacers met Sudbury in the first game on Friday evening. The first period ended with Sudbury up 1-0. Sarnia got on the score board in the second on an unassisted Ryleigh Taylor goal. Ryan Devine scored next to go up by one assisted by Sam McCormack. Sudbury would tie it up before the end of the second frame. The teams traded goals in the third. Alex Mayhead scored for Sarnia assisted by Ryleigh Taylor and Ryan Devine. The game looked like it would end in a tie but with 28 seconds left, Darien Chappelle buried one to give his team the 4-3 win. Reese Landeryou had the win in the net for Sarnia.

Sarnia faced Niagara on the Lake in the Saturday morning game. NOTL would score 2 before Sarnia got on the board on a goal from Sam McCormack assisted by Ryan Devine and Darien Chappelle. However Niagara would continue their attack and were leading on the scoreboard 7-1 before Sarnia launched their attack in the third. Cory Burr scored from Kevin Durco and Ryan Devine, Ryan Devine scored from Ryleigh Taylor and Ryleigh Taylor added one from Cory Burr. It was good to see the Pacers fight to get back in the game but the hole that was dug was too deep to climb out with the game ending with a 8-4 loss for the Pacers.

Later Saturday, the Pacers met the tournament hosts. Guelph scored first but Sarnia would score the next 3. Darien Chappelle started things off with Kraig Durco assisting. The next goal was a highlight reel passing play scored by Cory Burr assisted by Ryan Devine and Sam McCormack. Darien Chappelle would score his second of the game assisted by the goaltender Reese Landeryou. Ryan Devine would seal the deal on a goal assisted by Blain Adams and Sam McCormack. Strong defensive play by Callahan Doughty, Jacob Huggett, Michaeline Falla and Jeffrey Williams and great golatending by Reese Landeryou was key in the win. With a 4-2 win, Sarnia had enough points to make a trip to the finals on Sunday.

The final was a match with NOTL, the only team to beat Sarnia this weekend. The boys were up for the challenge and started the game scoring the first goal early. Darian Chappelle put his team on the score board assisted by Ryan Devine. However, before the second period was over, NOTL had a 5-1 lead. Sarnia left it all on the floor and Reese Landeryou closed the door in the third. The Pacers would continue to fight and would score 2 more. Goals were scored by Ryan Devine unassisted and Ryleigh Taylor from Kevin Durco. Again the lead that Niagara had built up was too much to overcome. The game ended in a 5-3 loss.

Head Coach Kerry Adams was quoted as saying..."the coaching staff was very proud of the team effort this weekend and the results. Although we would all liked to have won the championship game, the kids never gave up and fought as a team right to the end. This should give the team confidence going forward."