Group photo: The Muskrat Novice Voyageurs are the 2017 Silver Medallists at the International Silver Stick Tournament held in Pelham, Ontario. Team members are, from left, Jaxson Allmand, Wyatt Lang, Cedric Dionne, Seamus Darrah, Andrew Enright, Jacob Dumouchel, Lou Danis, Jack Lynch, Colton Vereyken, Callum Kenny and Nolan Lang. Bench Staff from left: Manager Michelle Allmand, Assistant coach Jeff Vereyken, Head Coach Mark Lang and Trainer Greg Kenny
PELHAM — The Muskrat Novice Voyageurs returned home silver medallists from the International Silver Stick tournament held in Pelham, Ontario last weekend.
This small but mighty team left on Wednesday, January 10 with the hopes of bringing home the gold medal for their league, said team manager Michelle Allmand. The kids boarded a grey coach bus through Bell Horizon and organized by Jamieson Travel in Beachburg.
“From the beginning the kids made memories,” she said. “From watching movies, playing UNO, stickman hockey on the IPADS to even talking about how they would compete this weekend there was no shortage of team bonding.”
Thursday was game 1 and they were up against the Belmont Rangers. It was a disappointing 5-1 loss.
“After some discussion on where we went wrong and words of encouragement from their bench staff the kids explored some of what Niagara Falls had to offer,” Ms. Allmand said.
They visited the Hershey store, explored the falls, and walked Clifton Hill.
It was back to the arena Friday morning for a game against the Hagersville Hawks. It ended in a 1-1 tie.
This rejuvenated the boys and they went on later in the day to beat the Essa Eagles 2-1.
Saturday afternoon, they met with the Hagersville Hawks in the semi-final and defeated them 3-2, sending the Muskrats to the finals.
The Muskrats faced off against the Belmont Rangers, whom they played in Game 1. It was c oser game, but with the same result, this time ending in a 3-1 loss, earning a silver medal for the Muskrats.
The team stayed at the Skyline Inn where was a giant waterpark attached with 16 waterslides and had supper at the Rainforest Café.
“Honestly though, the kids just loved playing mini-sticks in the atrium of our hotel,” Ms. Allmand recalled.
This trip would not have been possible without the sponsors and donations from the surrounding communities, she said.
“Thank you to all of you for this once in a lifetime opportunity,” Ms. Allmand said.
