As coaches, we cannot simply make a team Champions. Winning teams have less to do with the raw talent and more to do with what's inside both the dressing room and an athlete. Together, they must find their own team identity and only then can they choose to do what's needed on and off the playing field to become the best version of themselves.
This past weekend our Bantam AE team decided to be great. Entering a 12 team tournament in Michigan knowing there would be teams at a higher playing level and caliber, we decided as a team to raise our level of compete. Once in the tourney the boys steamrolled though pool play to a 3-0 record. In the semi finals and up against a team whom on paper beats us 9 out of 10 games we had met our match...or so it seemed. Falling behind 0-2 the coaches asked the players to play for the teammate beside him. Shift after shift our players came back to the bench exhausted. Showing us they were pushing themselves beyond just a regular game. As the tide turned, your Sabres began to believe in themselves and forced the game to a 2-2 tie. Onto a 5min overtime. Lots of action both ways resulting in some near misses and incredible team defense. As the 4th period ended and we were still tied 2-2 we prepared for a Shootout. Since our game had gone nearly 25min past the allotted time other teams and fans had now packed the rink. The atmosphere was electric. Back and forth we went with big saves and beauty goals but no team could finish the shootout when it counted. All the way to the 7th round when the Sabres buried their shot and forced the Dayton Stealth to match. A determined goalie for the Sabres ended the shootout with a great save and the Sabres bench, crowd and new fans erupted.
Out for a great lunch afterward where everyone attended, the day and weekend already felt complete. Boys were having a great time and lots of talk of "what a game" could be heard.
I'd love to tell you the storybook ending was a Sabres win in the finals but up against another excellent team the Sabres fell to the extremely talented Naperville Sabres AA team. A Silver Medal it is.
Thank you to the boys for inspiring our coaches to work harder and for raising our fans blood pressure into the rafters. We can't wait to see what you do next. You're ready for the play downs!
Coach Todd
