As we enter into the final few weeks of the 2024-2025 season, we want to celebrate some of the behind-the-scenes stories that highlight successes, goal-setting and perseverance within Cambridge Minor Hockey Association teams.
Join us as we showcase the hard work, dedication, and passion that goes into every practice, game, strategy session, and team bonding moment!
The first two teams join us from U10 BB, and U11A...
From Head Coach Brent Golem, U10 BB:
The U10 B/BB team experienced both challenges and triumphs this season. They had a shaky start in October and struggled to find success. The team remained focused, dedicating their time to improving their skating and fundamental skills through four training sessions per week. Their commitment, along with solidified lines, paid off as they rattled off nine consecutive wins starting in November, earning their place among the BB teams.
The team's progress continued into the second tournament over the holiday break in Brantford. After a close loss to Waterloo in the round robin, the boys faced a must-win game against the top-seeded Kitchener Blue, which they won. They followed this by a redemption win against Waterloo in the semis, securing a spot in the final and a second-place finish. Their momentum carried into January, when the team traveled to Niagara Falls, USA, for their third tournament. They had triumphant wins in four consecutive games, against GTHL A teams and an over-age USA team, to reach the final. Despite falling behind 2-0 in the final, the boys rallied to force overtime, clinching the victory and making them undefeated champions.
As the season progressed, the team rose to the top of the BB teams to finish third overall and earn a spot in the Alliance Championship. The team finished with the second most wins, including handing Kitchener Blue their only loss in the BB league. The team is eager for the final tournament and extends heartfelt thanks to the dedicated volunteer coaching staff Courtney, Sean, Mario; on-ice helpers Marcio, Jamie, Cathy; manager Kerri and trainer Holly; and U15AAA mentor Gavin.
From Head Coach John Fullerton Sr, U11 A:
As the season for the Cambridge U11/A Hawks concludes, we look back on some great progress.
Last year this team won one game, so at the beginning of the year my Coaches and I thought a 10-win season would be progress. The overall goal for the team was to advance to a final in a tournament, which we did in Ottawa in November, and to be competitive in our league which we termed as “our mountain to climb”.
It was a long struggle to meet that second goal but in the last month we were right there, lowering our shots-against to under 20 per game, and outshooting most of our opponents. Of course with any developing team, turning that progress into wins was a challenge.
As we went into our final game, we had 9 wins to go along with 4 ties. We were playing Burlington, the first place team, who up to this point were undefeated in our league. Jump to the third period and we are down 4-3 with 5 minutes to go, and we have been assessed with back-to-back minor penalties. Amazingly we kill off the 5-on-3 and with 0:55 seconds to go, we pull the Goalie…..10 seconds later, we score to tie the game. So we put our Goalie back in our net and hope for a tie? Nope, the boys have other ideas- they get the puck deep into Burlington’s zone and with 0:21 seconds to go, they pot the game winner, bedlam ensues and we have won our 10th game!
What a game and what an emotional moment. It took us 7 months but we finally climbed that mountain - our finest hour. So proud of these boys for finishing the season strong.
