U13 LL Huskies One capture gold at Elmvale tournament

The U13 LL Boys One New Hamburg Huskies claimed the gold medal at the Orr Lake Hat-Trick Tournament Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 in Elmvale. Pictured laying on the ice in front, from left to right, are Keaton Herlick and Oliver Vusich. Pictured in the middle row, from left, are Jace Nelson, Tucker Moreau, Benn Owens, Drew Brown, Noah Murphy, Nathan Smith and Simon Carter. In the back row, from left, are assistant coach Paul Arsenault, trainer Steve Carter, head coach Matt Vusich, Caleb Rutledge, Garrett Rowley, Eric Arsenault, Lincoln Elrick, Jacob Gurney, Max Dietrich, assistant coach Jeff Herlick and Sean Gurney. Contributed photo

Spencer Seymour, Sports Director

The U13 LL Boys One New Hamburg Huskies won the top prize at the Orr Lake Hat-Trick Tournament Nov. 29 to Dec. 1 in Elmvale.

According to head coach Matt Vusich, early on in the tournament, the team began to implement the offensive attack they had been practicing.

“The big focus for our coaching staff the last few weeks has been working on our forecheck,” Vusich told the Gazette. “During our second game in the tournament, you could see the forecheck kick in. The forwards were pressuring the puck and causing turnovers that, with the help of our defence at the point, we were able to turn into goals.”

After going undefeated in their round-robin games, the Huskies defeated the Honeywood Hurricanes 2-0 in the semi-final to secure their spot in the gold-medal matchup against the home team, Elmvale Coyotes.

“The semi-final was a late start time for us,” Vusich said of the 9 p.m. puck drop. “But yet, the boys looked fresh and full of energy. They controlled the game and there was little doubt about the outcome once we had a goal on the board.”

In the final against the Coyotes, the Huskies fell behind 1-0 due to a goal early in the second, but they battled back to tie it up early in the third on a goal by Caleb Rutledge, assisted by Drew Brown and Garrett Rowley. Brown was the top point-getter of the tournament, netting seven goals and two assists.

Vusich praised his squad for not succumbing to negativity when they went down by a goal.

“Our strong play continued, but we were unable to beat their goalie. We had a ton of chances but just couldn’t get one to go in. When the other team scored early in the second, not one player on our bench got down. I could hear our guys immediately trying to get everyone going and pumped up to get one back. It took a lot of effort and chances, and fortunately, their hard work paid off.”

Noah Murphy scored the go-ahead goal for New Hamburg with just one minute and nine seconds left in the game. Lincoln Elrick and Jace Nelson picked up the assists.

“I think the boys’ positivity and confidence in one another earned them the win,” Vusich said. “They never stopped moving their feet and showed little frustration despite Elmvale's goalie making save after save. The other coaches and I are glad to have had a front-row seat to their excitement, enthusiasm and determination. Each and every player on our team worked hard and cheered on the hard work of their teammates. Our group goes out of its way to include everyone and acknowledge the efforts of others.”

Keaton Herlick and Oliver Vusich, the Huskies’ goaltending duo, split the net and ended the tournament only allowing four goals in five games, a stretch that included two shutouts.

Players of the game were awarded by the coaches, with the winners of the prestigious green hats being Brown, Erlick, Murphy, Simon Carter and Jacob Gurney. Parents also vote during each game to select the hardest worker of the contest, with winners including Rowley, Rutledge, Eric Arsenault, Benn Owens and Nathan Smith.