Minor Midget Atlantic Championships

Minor Midget Atlantic Championships

  Atlantic Canada's top Minor Midget AAA teams are set to converge on Dalhousie New Brunswick March 22nd to compete for the right to call themselves the regions best team. The Northern Blackhawks of the NB Midget AAA League are the host of this year's event being held at the Inch Arran Ice Palace from March 22 to March 25. The tournament will feature the provincial champions from the 4 Atlantic Provinces plus the host team playing a single round robin format with bronze and gold medal games on Sunday.

  The Kenn Valley Spartans were the last team to claim their spot at the event as they defeated the Saint John Phantoms 5-4 to claim New Brunswick's provincial title. Both Kenn Valley and Saint John went undefeated through the provincial tournament leading up to their clash in the final. The Spartans had a great year, finishing up with a 26-4 win-loss record during the regular season and were led by the high scoring of Paul Gulliver. Gulliver found the back of the net 46 times in league play and ended up with 95 points in 29 games. Secondary scoring came from Dustin Dutcher 35 goals, 54 points and Curtis Hastings 37 Assists, 52 points.

  2011 Atlantic bronze medallist Truro Bearcats, look to improve their result as they once again represent Nova Scotia. The Bearcats  are a tight defensive team as the 5 goals against in 6 games during the provincial tournament would indicate. Provincial MVP and top Defenceman Cole Baker is backed by 2 very good goaltenders, Jesse Lawrence and Dennis Nolan. Nolan pitched a 1-0 shut out in the championship game against the East Hants Penguins. Truro, who play in the New Brunswick league, finished at the top of the standings with a 27-2 record. Kenny MacInnis and Zack Bates led the Bearcats with 36 points during the regular season.

  Prince Edward Islands provincial champion Mid-Isle Matrix, just happens to also be the defending Atlantic Champions. The PEI League does not decide their champion by tournament format, instead a 3 round best of 5 playoff is used. The Matrix defeated the Pownal Red Devils 3 games to 1 to earn the right to defend their Atlantic crown. Mid-Isle has had a very successful season to this point with victories at the SPUD AAA tournament and the Truro preseason tournament as well as a runner up finish at the Monctonian. With a 26-2-2 record in league play, Mid-Isle is led by top scorers Jordan Mayhew 58 points in 30 games, Campbell Gallant and Jonathan Richards both with 49 points as well as playoff MVP Aaron Nunn.

  Newfoundland and Labrador will send 2011 Atlantic Championship host Tri-Pen Ice to Dalhousie. Tri-Pen, who had a rough tournament as host last year in Clarenville, earned their way with a 7-1 victory over last years Provincial Champion Central Thunder. St. John's is the only part of Newfoundland that has a Minor Midget AAA League, the rest of the Province puts together district teams such as Tri-Pen and Central, who compete in a Provincial tournament to earn a birth at the Atlantic's. Players on these teams play with their respective minor hockey association teams during the winter.

  The host team, Northern Blackhawks, are an expansion team in the New Brunswick league. The Blackhawks finished up with a 1-3 record at the provincial tournament, which they also hosted. The lone victory was a 5-1 decision over the West Kent Aces. With an 11-17-2 regular season record, Northern is led by leading scorer Cody Furlotte (48 points) and Brendan Blanchette (26 points).

  Three teams from the New Brunswick Midget AAA League and the Newfoundland representative look to end Prince Edward Island's 3 year reign as the Atlantic Champions (Charlottetown Abbies won in 2009 & 2010). Mid-Isle appears to be the pre-tournament favorite, however anything can happen in an event of this nature. One thing is for certain, Dalhousie will be home to some great hockey action over the 4 days concluding with the gold medal game on Sunday at noon.