Major Peewee A's Have Adventure of a Lifetime!

The 2007 Bell Cup was an adventure of a lifetime for the Major Peewee A’s. Not only did the team participate in the world’s premier minor hockey tournament they also billeted the EHC Basel Dragons from Switzerland. With Ranger pride, the team welcomed and represented the Gloucester Rangers at the International Welcome Reception and at a Gala Night at the Museum of Civilization. The two teams also bonded through many lunches, suppers, snowball fights, mini-stick competitions, attending an Ottawa Senators game and a New Year’s party that will be remembered for many years to come!

With respect to hockey, the Gloucester Rangers started off on a positive note with exhibition games against the EHC Basal Dragons from Switzerland (3-0) and the Southern Stars from USA (5-0). With two wins under their belt, the team was well prepared to play in the Bell Cup. As outlined in the article on the Gloucester Rangers home page, those in attendance at the first game of the playoffs may remember it as one of the most exciting games ever witnessed at the Bell Cup. The Peewee A team locked horns with the Ottawa Silver Seven White team in their quarter final game at Ray Friel and nobody wanted to lose. That was evident from the triple OT it took to decide a winner. That's right folks, triple OT. They almost played two games to decide what typically takes one game to work out. Disappointment had to be high for these young men. On the strength of a 3-0-1 round robin record where the Rangers scored 24 goals and allowed 2, the team was well positioned to make a run at a championship title. The 24 goals scored by the team were done so at the expense of the Nepean White Raiders (3-0), Potsdam Sandstoners from the USA (2-2), Akwesasne (12-0) and Karhu-Kissat 95 Cats from Finland (7-0). Way to go boys...a great display of offense and a great effort.

Next stop on the tournament route is our own Gloucester Rangers Winterlude tournament to be held in February. Last but not least our many thanks to our president, Jim Lloyd and other Gloucester Ranger fans for coming out to see us play and to meet the Switzerland team. Happy New Year!

Submitted by Colleen Kropp