Team NOHA U14 Ontario Winter Games Recap

U14 Team NOHA, comprised of 2010 players, participated in the Ontario Winter Games in Thunder Bay this past week, claiming a hard-earned Silver Medal for their efforts.

The Team went into the competition with 150 minutes of practice time and a 16-hour travel day under their belts. Team NOHA was comprised of individuals from the North Bay, Sudbury, Sault Ste. Marie, and Cochrane areas.

Opening Ceremonies

The Team participated in an opening ceremony at the Historical Fort William Park, a ceremony that included being marched in, carrying of the torch, a lighting of the game’s caldron and live music.

Game one vs Myers Automotive – HEO Representative

Team NOHA announced our arrival quickly in game one, with Matti Farmer connecting with Seth Verbiwski, who buried a shot in the back of the net, less than 30 seconds into the first period.

Cole Guizzetti provided the insurance, with a goal about midway through the third period, with helpers from Aidan Duchesne, and Ashton Neufeld.

That would be more than enough for goaltender Ty Imbeau, who was razor sharp in game one, coupled with a fantastic effort from Team NOHA in the defensive zone.

Final Score – 2-0 Team NOHA

Game two vs Credit River Capitals – OMHA Representative

Game two was a bit of an uphill climb for Team NOHA, as the long wait time in between the Saturday double header may have caused fatigue to set in a little bit. One individual who certainly was not feeling fatigue was goaltender, Levi Inch, Levi made big save after big save. Ensuring Team NOHA had a chance to tie things up with one shot all the way to the end.

Final Score – 1-0 Credit River

Game three vs Northwest Explorers – HNO Representative

Perhaps the most pivotal game of the Tournament for Team NOHA, was game three vs the 2-0 Explorers. To say Team NOHA was up for the challenge in this one is an understatement. Setting the tone early was Seth Verbiwski who scored a first period marker with the assist going to Eli Chapman. The Explorers tried to push back all game, running into another solid effort by goaltender Levi Inch, who again only surrendered one goal in the outing.

Team NOHA Would score the more goals in the Second Period, (Reed Sauve, Eli Chapman, Seth Verbiwski) before Verbiwski would earn himself a hat trick in the third period.

Additional assists in this one went to Ashton Neufeld, Hayden Stevenson, and Jaxsin Chatwell.

Final Score – 5-1 Team NOHA

Game four vs Myers Auto Motive – Semi Final (1 vs 4)

Team NOHA’S efforts to this point earned them first place after the round robin competition, outscoring their opponents 8-2 through the first three games.

Looking to match Sunday afternoons effort, Team NOHA did just that, beating Myers Automotive by a score of 4-0, earning themselves an opportunity at a Gold Medal on Monday afternoon.

Goals in this one went to Matti Farmer, Cole Guizzetti, Seth Verbiwski, and Eli Chapman.  Goaltending again was a strength for Team NOHA with Ty Imbeau earning his second shutout in as many games.

Game five vs Credit River Capitals – Gold Medal Game

With the stage set for the Gold Medal game, former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton kicked things off with the ceremonial puck drop. With over one thousand people in attendance for this one, both Teams threw everything that had at one another.

Mateo Muto, who earned himself a reputation as warrior throughout the Tournament, battling through some adversity was especially good in his one on the backend,  making great reads and getting the puck up to his forwards efficiently.

Jaxsin Chatwell got Team NOHA on the board with a seeing eye shot from the blueline, assisted by Cole Guizzetti, who was a spark plug for Team NOHA throughout the event.

Credit River would answer just under three minutes later. Seth Verbiwski had an answer of his own shortly after, capitalizing on the slick passing of Eli Chapman and Matti Farmer.

Credit River would get one right back, leaving things deadlocked after the first period.

The second period would see both Teams trade chances, with Goaltender Ty Imbeau stepping up to the plate making several big saves throughout this one.

Just under three minutes into the third period, Credit River score the eventual game winning goal. Team NOHA battled until the final buzzer, having multiple grade A scoring chances, hitting a post and unable to bang in a couple pucks sitting on the Credit River goal-line.

Final Score – 3-2 Credit River

Team NOHA claims Silver with an effort that made everyone proud. Many people tuned in, watching the streamed games from afar!

Congratulations U14 Team NOHA.

Members of the Team include: #2 Mateo Muto, #3 Aidan Duchesne, #4 Bryson Palahnuk, #5 Warren Little, #6 Eian Koski, #7 Ashton Neufeld, #8 Greyson Hnatiuk, #9 Hayden Stevenson, #10 Eli Chapman, #11 Koda Peltier, #12 Reed Sauve, #14 Matti Farmer, #15 Tayden Smith, #16 Jaxsin Chatwell, #17 Jesse McGill, #18 Cole Guizzetti, #20 Seth Verbiwski, #30 Ty Imbeau, #31 Levi Inch, Head Coach Tim McWhirter, Assistant Coach Rick Barron, Assistant Coach Anthony Miller, Trainer Dave Losier, Director of Operations Jacob Brown.

Find more photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/199891866@N05/albums/72177720314304998/