Building self-confidence, that’s what winning the Pittsburgh Winter Classic did for our LaSalle Atom AA players.
Pittsburgh Winter Classic Dec.13-15,2019.
Our team was purposefully challenged by the best AA teams in Ontario during our first few tournaments of the year. It paved the way with practices throughout the year for our team to realize that with hard work and focus they can strive to be just as good some day. A trait we want all our children to learn so when faced with roadblocks in hockey or life, their better prepared.
We as coaches set goals for every player and as a team so that they can experience some kind of success. Winning this tournament was part of that plan.
In addition, we also define success not just by how players play, but how they contribute to the overall team. We had leaders. We had players making others around them better. We had players interested In seeking to learn. We had all players given their maximum effort. This is what defines a true competitor.
Playing 3 round robin games with scores of 10-2, 4-4, and 3-2, they eventually faced the home town Pittsburgh predators in the final. The team we tied 4-4 in round robin play.
With a 2-1 win, and playing a total of 156minutes in the tournament never trailing a team, they took home the championship.
Congratulations!