The 17th annual ETA/SCTA (OMHA) Midget All Star game was played on January 28, 2017 in the Seymour-Hannah Sports Complex as part of the SCTA's AAA Showcase event.
Right from the start the game was a fast paced affair with the play being reasonably even. Early in the first period the SCTA goaltender made a great save on an ETA 2 on 0. Shortly thereafter a miss pass in the neutral zone resulted in a SCTA breakaway which led to the first goal of the game with 15:21 remaining in the period. The ETA just failed to capitalize on a great scoring opportunity mid period when the puck ended up just sliding wide of the post. An apparent ETA goal seconds before the end of the first period was negated as it was ruled that the net had been dislodged prior to the puck entering.
In the second period the ETA picked up the pace and began to carry the majority of the play. The SCTA goaltenders kept their team in the game with several great saves including stopping an ETA breakaway near the end of the period so the score remained 1 - 0 for the SCTA.
In the third period the ETA dominated completely. The SCTA goaltender, Niagara North Stars’ Anthony Tremonte, was outstanding as he stymied the ETA shooters time and time again. The ETA dominance was clearly reflected in their 20-4 shots on goal advantage in the period. The ETA finally managed to find the back of the net with only 36.5 seconds remaining and their goaltender on the bench in favour of the extra attacker when Nolan Hutcheson (Kingston Jr Frontenacs) tapped in a rebound set up by Wes Weir (Richmond Hill Coyotes) and Mitchell Doyle (Clarington Toros).
Regulation time ended with the score tied at 1 – 1. The teams then went into a 5 minute period of 3 on 3 hockey. The ETA continued to carry the play but could not solve Tremonte for a second time and the overtime ended without deciding the game so a 3 man shoot out followed.
The shoot result was 2 -1 in favour of the SCTA giving them the victory. James White (Central Ontario Wolves) netted the ETA goal.
Players of the game were the ETA's Nolan Hutcheson and (obviously) SCTA's Anthony Tremonte.
The overall series record now stands at 11-6 in favour of the ETA.
The ETA sincerely thanks all of the players and the coaching staff for representing themselves and our league in a most admirable fashion.
** Click here for OMHA Midget All Star Game 2017 photos. **