The NCP Bantam team played four games in the Toronto Red
Wings Early Bird Tournament this past weekend.
The first matchup of the competition was against a very tough Toronto Marlboros team. The boys came out strong and managed to hold the score to a 1-0 deficit until midway through the game. Penalty trouble cost the team a couple of goals and the Marlies potted a 4th goal to round out the score at 4-0. The coaches were very pleased with the teams compete level in this game.
The second game was against the Oakville Rangers, another strong start by the Preds found them out ahead 2-1. The score was 2-2 through 2 periods but the third period was a tough one and the team found themselves on the wrong end of a 5-2 score. The game was highlighted by a strong effort from the line of Kyle Kuznik, Will Redick and Travis Sawyer.
After a sleepy start and a poor first period in the third game of the tournament the boys still managed a 1-0 lead through one period. A couple of mistakes that allowed the opposing Windsor Spitfires to sneak behind the defense cost the team and they trailed 3-1 in the third period. With the goalie pulled the Preds managed to pot a second goal with over a minute remaining but in the end the team fell short by a goal with the game ending at 3-2 for the Spitfires.
The final game was against the Toronto Jr. Canadians, the Preds were a little shorthanded for this game which turned out to be the teams weakest game of the weekend. Fatigue set in and the Canadians overwhelmed the Preds with a 6-1 final.
Despite the tournament record the coaches learned a lot about the new group and saw many positives in the play throughout the weekend. With the pre-season over the coaches are excited to get ready for the beginning of the regular season which starts this Thursday at the Mask against their long standing rivals the Barrie Colts.
Go Preds!