Stittsville Thunder win the Lanark Carlton Minor Hockey League Championship

The Novice A3 Stittsville Thunder battled hard throughout the playoffs, and went undefeated in 6 games (5-0-1) to capture the Lanark Minor hockey, Novice A Championship.

Going uncontested through round robin play with a record of 3-0 scoring 18 goals for, and only 3 against, the Thunder rolled into the finals on a high. The 1^st game in the finals was a hard fought battle that found the Thunder on the winning end, 3-1. With pressure mounting in front of a packed house at Johnny Leroux, the Thunder’s opponent, the Stittsville Warriors proved to be a force. After exchanging leads in the first and second period, the game was tied going into the 3^rd. Both teams exchanged scoring opportunities, but Nolan Rogers and Harlow Barker were up the task, and kept the score tied 2-2 late in the period. With time winding down, the speedy Lucas Field picked up the puck in the neutral zone, put on the afterburners, and scored to give the Thunder the lead with only 13 seconds left! The game winning goal! Or was it? Refusing to give up their season, the Warriors refocused, and when the puck dropped, magic for the Warriors ensued. As the clock ticked the seconds down, Brayden Bowditch picked up the puck with a burst of speed past the Thunder, and let a rocket go that neatly tucked under the crossbar to score with no time left. An incredible finish to an incredible hockey game. The score ended in a tie, 3-3, with the Thunder leading the series 3 points to 1. The Thunder regrouped, and in game 3, came out more focused than ever. With chances being exchanged in the first and second period, the score was 3-1 for the Thunder. Knowing that the 3^rd period would be the toughest, the Thunder dug down deep and elevated their game, and continued to press. Playing rock solid defense, and with Nolan Rogers stopping everything thrown his way, Maverick Hayes showed why he is a big game player and scored early in the 3^rd period to widen the gap. Ben Haight would add the insurance marker with just under 5 minutes to play making the final 5-1. An incredibly hard fought battle by both teams making for a great series final.

No one individual can be praised for this team victory as it was accomplished by incredible team work. Congratulations Thunder on another impressive performance!

Coach Scott