The Novice AA Sabres, sponsored by Picard’s Peanuts wrapped up a thrilling series against Stoney Creek to decide who would go on to the OMHA semifinals recently.

Unbeaten in the playoffs so far, the confident Stoney Creek team came up against a Flamborough juggernaut that was not to be denied.  

In the tight series, Stoney Creek was able to claim a big victory to even the series at two apiece. With neither team able to win at home and almost all of the games close, the stage was set for a game five thriller in the Creek.  

After three hard fought periods and one overtime period, neither team could break a 1-1 deadlock which forced a winner-take-all-tilt at the Sabres’ North Wentworth stronghold.

After a rousing pre-game speech by the coaches, the Sabres took to the ice with the flag flying and a look of intent.  

After the opening face-off, the Sabres quickly established dominance, controlling the game with aggressive fore-checking and tight defence.  

The Sabres jumped out to an early lead when Ryan Mulholland snapped a shot into the top corner.  His goal was followed quickly with a laser beam from Joshua Palmer to make it 2-zip.  

With the Sabres in the lead, the defence cruised the neutral zone looking for the big shot while the Sabres’ forwards tested the Creek goalie often.  

Knowing the ability of the Warriors to come back, the Sabres didn’t let up and another goal from Mulholland iced it for a 3-0 final score.

SabreStars of the series were the Sabres’ defence of Noah Arsenault, Gerrett Cottrell, James Curwen, Liam Delmastro, Michael Langdon and Devin Walsh.

Facing off against the perennial powerhouse Orangeville Flyers in the OMHA semifinals, the Novice AAs suffered a heartbreaking loss to end the season.

After two tough losses to open the series, the Sabres fought back valiantly in game three. Down 4-0 with things looking grim, the Sabres rattled off four straight to tie the game with just a few minutes to go. At the final buzzer, nothing was settled with the Sabres’ season hanging in the balance.  

And then, just a minute into the overtime period, Josh Houston shook off a defender and fired a shot over the Orangeville goalie’s shoulder to extend the series.

In game four, the Sabres jumped out to an early lead courtesy of the goal of the season from Lucas Thompson.

With two defenders hanging off him, Thompson pushed his way down the left channel and fired a rocket just under the bar. Orangeville answered with a quick goal and the game went back and forth from there.  

With the Sabres pulling ahead in possession, the Flyers, against the run of play, added a second goal to seal the series.

For the entire year, every Sabre player worked hard in practice and battled hard in games and every parent in the stands is proud of their achievements during the year.  

Thanks go to the Sabres’ coaching staff, Mark Brewer, Scott Mulholland, Steve Langdon, Randy Delmastro, Dan Walsh and Todd Osborne for their commitment during the season as well as to all of the team sponsors, including Picard’s Peanuts, Houston Dental, Village Children’s Centre and many others.

A special thank-you goes to team manager Kelly Palmer for her dedication and hard work throughout the entire season. The year would have been nowhere near as successful without her commitment.

-Submitted by Paul Curwen