Fischer proud of U15 squad

play an exhibition game on the road, against the South Huron Sabres.

This weekend, the U13 B Heat will head to Brampton for the Canadettes’ annual Easter Tournament. They’ll open with games against the Lucan Irish and the Mississauga Hurricanes on April 7 and then play the Georgina Golden Hawks on April 8.

On April 2, the U11 C Heat played the Lambeth Lancers on the road, but a score was unavailable for that game, while the U11 B Heat played to a scoreless tie in an exhibition game in London against the Devilettes.

On April 1, the U9 HL Black Heat lost their Western Ontario Girls’ Hockey League (WOGHL) Championship tournament game against the St. Thomas Panthers by a score of 5-2, followed by another tournament loss to the South Huron Sabres by a score of 1-0, while the U9 HL White team lost to the North Middlesex Junior Stars in their WOGHL Championship tournament game by a score of 3-1.

Also that day, the U13 C Heat lost

The Blyth Brussels U15 Rep Crusaders earned a win over the Norwood Hornets in Barrie in their round-robin, above, but would fall to the Ilderton Jets in the quarterfinal of the Ontario Minor Hockey Association Championship after three overtime periods and a shootout. (Courtesy photo)

Continued from page 1 both Brussels and Blyth, was fantastic leading up to the tournament, he said, and he could see the players’ elevate their level of play and excitement when in front of a home crowd.

So, when the team travelled to Barrie for the year-end tournament, a change from home games in previous years since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, he said it wasn’t the same as playing in front of home fans, though those who did make the trip are to be commended for their outstanding support.

He said the change in format, leading up to a year-end, localized tournament keeps teams playing meaningful hockey for the entirety of the season, but what’s lost is playing OMHA Championship games in front of an arena full of home-town fans. “You always want to be able to fill your barn,” Fischer said.

It’s hard to put into words how hard it was for the team, the coaches and the parents to lose in a shootout after a season of so much hard work, but he said it truly is heartbreaking.