U14 AA Hounds win NOHA
TIMMINS — They were one loss away from elimination in the round robin portion of the Northern Ontario Hockey Association’s Tournament of Champions. But the Under 14 AA Soo Jr. Greyhounds rebounded to not only make the playoffs but skate to victory in both a semi final match and the title tilt to return home to Sault Ste. Marie as NOHA champions.
To be sure, it was a topsy turvy tide to triumph for the U14 AA Jr. Greyhounds. The Red and White began the six team tournament with a 5-4 loss to the Sudbury Jr. Wolves and a 3-3 tie with the North Bay Trappers that put them in a must win game against the top seed Temiskaming Shores Puck Hounds.
But two goals from relentless, speed demon centre Hayden Brason-Doan and air tight goal-tending from Owen Whitehead sparked the Jr. Hounds to a 2-0 white wash over Temiskaming. The Jr. Hounds then closed out the round robin with a 3-0 win over the last place Nickel City Cubs to take the no. 2 seed heading into the playoffs.
In the semi finals against North Bay, the Jr. Hounds nipped the third seed Trappers by a 4-3 score to advance to the championship game against the host Timmins North Stars, who had upset Temiskaming in the other semi final. And it was all Jr. Hounds in the banner match as they dominated the hosts from Timmins en route to a 4-1 victory and the NOSSA crown.
Top performers for the U14 Jr. Hounds en route to NOHA glory were the first line of splendid centre Hayden Brason-Doan and his hard-nosed wingers Dante Caruso and Jasper Jarratt, dependable defensemen Jeremy Jarratt and Bryce Perrott and rotating goalies Owen Whitehead and Carter Rome.
Staff members of the U14 Jr. Hounds include manager Kenny Deplonty, coaches Ryan Corcoran, Jeff Tait and Ed Mick and trainer Jason Webb.
