Paris Wolfpack U11 Select finish top four in West Niagara Tournament

Team members include, in no order, Jace Allgood, Dawson Anderson, Henry Barstcher, Cecil Burbridge, Brennan Deane, Landon Dedman, Nathan Farrell, Noel Farrell, Jack Ferren, Koen Gall, Jack Graham, Josh Rawlings, Lennon Smith, Davis Starks. 

Casandra Turnbull

Managing Editor

The Paris Wolfpack U11 Select team returned to action this past weekend, competing in the West Niagara tournament and delivering a strong showing against a competitive 20-team field, for the second weekend in a row.

Paris opened round-robin play with a commanding 5-0 win over Orangeville. Goals came from Jace Allgood (assisted by Josh Rawlings), Cecil Burbridge (unassisted), Jack Graham (unassisted), and Burbridge, who added two more to complete a hat trick. Davis Starks earned the shutout in net.

The Wolfpack followed up with a dominant 16-0 victory over Manitoulin. Goal scorers included Rawlings, Graham, Henry Bartscher, Burbridge, Ferren, Lennon Smith, Koen Gall, and Noel Farrell, with several players contributing multiple goals in the lopsided win.

In their third game, Paris faced a strong Niagara Flying Aces squad. Niagara built a 4-0 lead after two periods before the Wolfpack pushed back. Koen Gall opened the scoring for Paris with an assist from Lennon Smith, followed minutes later by an unassisted goal from Rawlings. Niagara added one more to secure a 5-2 win.

The quarterfinal matchup against the Coldwater Wildcats proved to be a must-win thriller, with Paris earning a 3-2 victory in a shootout. Rawlings opened the scoring in the final seconds of the first period, while the second period remained scoreless. Coldwater struck twice early in the third to take the lead, but Rawlings responded with his second of the game, assisted by Allgood, to tie it. After a scoreless overtime, Starks held strong in the shootout, and Burbridge sealed the win with the deciding goal.

Paris advanced to the semifinals, where they faced the Georgian Bay Islanders. Despite a hard-fought effort, the Wolfpack fell 4-0, ending their tournament run.

“As coaches, we couldn't be prouder of how hard these kids worked this weekend. Although it wasn't the outcome we were hoping for, finishing top four in a tournament of 20 very competitive teams is a testament to how far this team has come this season. The future is very bright for all 14 players,” said head coach Jeff Bartscher.

“Thank you to the parents and family members that came out to support us. The team's success wouldn't have been possible without your dedication and commitment to these players.”