Stratford, On - The Sarnia Jr. Sting Major Atom MD finished off their season by participating in the Hockey Alliance of Ontario Provincial Championships on April 13-15 in Stratford.

The Jr. Sting lost 5-4 to Burlington and 3-1 against Hamilton on Friday before defeating their arch rivals the North London Nationals on Saturday by a score of 4-1.

In game one versus the Burlington Bulldogs Spencer Baillie scored once in the first period and twice in the third period to complete his hat-trick. Aiden Clark assisted on Spencer’s second goal and Mathew Waun assisted on Spencer’s third goal. Spencer’s first goal was unassisted. Tyler Talbot-Ellis scored in the second period from Cole Goossens. Cameron Stevens played well in net for the Jr. Sting, keeping the game close and giving his team mates a chance to win it, however, Burlington would hold on to the one goal lead and win the game by a score of 5-4. The player of the game was Spencer Baillie.

In game two Sarnia faced the Hamilton Cyclones and lost by a score of 3-1. Collin Zimmer scored the lone goal for the Jr. Sting unassisted and Stevie Schaefer did a great job defending the Jr. Sting net. The player of the game was Damon Skinn-Wai.

Game three was played on Saturday morning against a familiar foe, the North London Nationals. The Jr. Sting struck first just nine seconds after the puck drop as Mat Waun scored from Collin Zimmer. The Nationals would tie the game in the second period but that would be the only goal Cameron Stevens would allow. Late in the second period Spencer Baillie would get the eventual game winner from Ryan Eyre and Evan Trigatti. Ian Bailey would add to the score in the third period from Tyler Talbot-Ellis and Kaz Gudelis. Spencer Baillie would get another goal late in the third from Evan Trigatti and Kaz Gudelis to finish the game at 4-1. Players of the game were Cameron Stevens, Ian Bailey and Nathan Oliphant.

WHAT A YEAR

For the players and their families this will be a year to remember. The Major Atom MD can boast a regular season record of 19-4-2, a playoff record of 9-1-0; 2nd place in the regular season and 2nd place in the Alliance West MD League as well as a very respectable showing in the Alliance Provincial Tournament.

The Jr. Sting made it to the semi-finals in the Ace Bailey Memorial Tournament in Stoney Creek. They were finalists in the St. Thomas Minor Hockey AE Tournament and finalists in the Motown Cup in Detroit. The Jr. Sting took first place in the Chatham Challenge Cup Regional Silver Stick Tournament and were finalists in the International Silver Stick Finals in Pelham, beating out scores of other regional qualifiers for this distinction.

The Major Atom MD supported three different Charities’ this year raising money for the Breast Cancer Society, the Prostate Cancer’s Movember campaign and the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Serious dry-land training as well as classroom sessions were added to the regular practices to sharpen each players skill. With all of this going on the boy’s also found time for some fun with a Christmas party and an end of year party along with many other team functions (most involving food!).

Thanks to the coaching staff, players and their families for an unforgettable season!