The West Hants Young Guns fought hard to claim the Under 7 (U7) street hockey division title June 21.
They lost the first game of the tournament by a score of 6-5 to the Heat 2.0. From there on out, they defeated everyone in their path, starting with the Sackville Sharp Shooters by a score of 10-1. They edged out the Super 7s from Kentville 5-4. With the two wins under their belt, they advanced to the next stage in the tournament, where if they lost a game they would be immediately eliminated. Here, they defeated the Road Warriors 1-0 and then the Eighty-Sevens 6-4 to secure a spot in the semifinals.
The semifinal match was against the Little Aces, and it was a nail biter for parents and street hockey fans. The Young Guns were down three goals late in the game, but made a surprise turnaround and tied the game 7-7. The decision came down to a shootout, and the Young Guns emerged victorious.
The final saw the Young Guns take on the Halifax Hurricanes, who had went undefeated throughout the tournament. This game also went to a shootout after the teams were tied 8-8. It took eight shooters to declare the winner.
Jenn Fletcher, the manager and organizer of the U7 Young Guns, said the boys generally play minor hockey together but are not all on the same team. She said they didn't have any expectations heading into the Play On tournament, so winning their division was an incredible feeling.
“I think there was pretty close to 25 teams at their age level, so we didn't have any expectations,” said Fletcher. “They just wanted to have fun. It turned out really well.”
Fletcher said the boys handled themselves well, especially for the games that went to a shootout.
“They handled themselves really well for being seven and a lot of the games went to shootouts, which, you know, is pretty nerve-wracking.”
Fletcher said they plan to enter again next year, which will be the 13th Play On tournament in Halifax.
This year, more than 560 teams were registered to compete at the Play On tournament, which was held on the tarmac at CFB Shearwater June 20-21. The four-on-four street hockey competition saw thousands of players hit the pavement for 30-minute games. The age of the competitors ranged from four years of age to those in their 70s.
The West Hants Young Guns fought hard to claim the Under 7 (U7) street hockey division title June 21.
They lost the first game of the tournament by a score of 6-5 to the Heat 2.0. From there on out, they defeated everyone in their path, starting with the Sackville Sharp Shooters by a score of 10-1. They edged out the Super 7s from Kentville 5-4. With the two wins under their belt, they advanced to the next stage in the tournament, where if they lost a game they would be immediately eliminated. Here, they defeated the Road Warriors 1-0 and then the Eighty-Sevens 6-4 to secure a spot in the semifinals.
The semifinal match was against the Little Aces, and it was a nail biter for parents and street hockey fans. The Young Guns were down three goals late in the game, but made a surprise turnaround and tied the game 7-7. The decision came down to a shootout, and the Young Guns emerged victorious.
The final saw the Young Guns take on the Halifax Hurricanes, who had went undefeated throughout the tournament. This game also went to a shootout after the teams were tied 8-8. It took eight shooters to declare the winner.
Jenn Fletcher, the manager and organizer of the U7 Young Guns, said the boys generally play minor hockey together but are not all on the same team. She said they didn't have any expectations heading into the Play On tournament, so winning their division was an incredible feeling.
“I think there was pretty close to 25 teams at their age level, so we didn't have any expectations,” said Fletcher. “They just wanted to have fun. It turned out really well.”
Fletcher said the boys handled themselves well, especially for the games that went to a shootout.
“They handled themselves really well for being seven and a lot of the games went to shootouts, which, you know, is pretty nerve-wracking.”
Fletcher said they plan to enter again next year, which will be the 13th Play On tournament in Halifax.
This year, more than 560 teams were registered to compete at the Play On tournament, which was held on the tarmac at CFB Shearwater June 20-21. The four-on-four street hockey competition saw thousands of players hit the pavement for 30-minute games. The age of the competitors ranged from four years of age to those in their 70s.
