The LaSalle U12 AA team entered the Bluewater Championship weekend bruised and battered only to persevere to win their first championship. Entering the weekend the team was down three important cogs in their quest for gold due to injury. The team was prepared to give that extra 1%.
Facing a strong Winsor team in semi final play they found themselves on the short end of a Windsor goal at the seven minute mark of the first period. They should have known not to poke the bear. With 35 seconds left in the period, call up Devon Lesperance netted a goal. Not to be undone Dante D’Andrea immediately drove a stake into the Windsor heart sniping a second tally with 3 seconds left in the period. Back and forth the battle went and LaSalle benefited from a perfect one timer in front of the net by Antonio Sperra to send the game into overtime. Not to be denied, after 23 seconds of overtime play, Hayden MacKinnon delivered LaSalle to the championship game with the game winner.
The Saturday championship was not going to be any easier against a Tecumseh squad who the previous day earned the right to be the home team. LaSalle once again found themselves down in the first but in a bit of Deja Vue with 5 seconds left in the period, sniper Kaden Bissonnette mounted the come back with his first of the day. The LaSalle players decided to slam the door shut after that. MaCallan Bondy who was brought up due to injuries chipped in a goal and Antonio (money man) Sperra put in his second in as many days. Captain Kaden Bissonnette finished things off in the third with his second of the day and 53 of the year. LaSalle limited Tecumseh to 14 shots on goal to support a strong defensive core and goaltending.
Many thanks to the all the family and friends who supported the team during the Easter weekend. The trophy chest has finally been populated with hopefully the first of many titles as the players realized their potential.
