U13 AA Jr. Hounds win it all
CHICAGO — Hey, hey, hey … they went all the way! In what was a truly inspiring total team toil, the Soo U13 AA Jr. Greyhounds won four of five games including the title tilt to head home as champions of a Sports Illustrated Prospects Showdown Hockey Tournament that was held here on the weekend.
The U13 AA Jr. Hounds began the three day event with a 5-3 win over the Des Moines Buccaneers. Then after a 3-1 loss to the Joliet Jaguars, the Soo ended the round robin segment of the tournament with a tidy 5-2 triumph over the Chicago Bulldogs.
Off to the semi-finals, the U13 AA Jr. Hounds again skated past Des Moines, this time by a 4-2 score. That set the stage for a rematch with the hosts from Joliet in the championship match. And it was the Jr. Hounds who shrugged off an early 1-0 deficit to tally five unanswered goals en route to a decisive 5-1 win over the Jaguars.
Among the offensive leaders for the Red and White of Sault Ste. Marie were Gavyn Nevers with seven points — all of them goals — followed by Jasper Jarratt with 4-2-6 totals, Tyler Diluzio with two goals, four assists, six points, Hayden Brason-Doan and Charlie Corcoran both with 2-2-4 statistics and Ashlyn Rickard with a goal and three helpers.
On the blue line, twin tower defenders Cohen Kellar and Jeremy Jarratt formed a tall wall. And between the pipes, Owen Whitehead and Carter Rome combined to allow the fewest goals in the U13 AA Division. Whitehead posted a record of 3-0 with a 1.90 goals against average while Rome had a 1-1 mark with a 2.50 GAA.
Members of the gold ring winning U13 AA Jr. Hounds are as follows.
Forwards: Gavyn Nevers, Jasper Jarratt, Tyler Diluzio, Hayden Brason-Doan, Charlie Corcoran, Ashlyn Rickard, Mason Pagnotta, Riely Deplonty, Walker Toms.
Defensemen: Cohen Kellar, Jeremy Jarratt, Rylan Gillson, Owen Webb, Carson Mick, Kipton Fera.
Goalies: Owen Whitehead, Carter Rome.
Coaches: Ryan Corcoran, Chris Kellar, Jeff Toms, Jason Webb.
Well done and enjoyed from my home. They play a great team effort. All the best to great grandson Hayden Brason.