The peewee Thompson Ravens returned with a silver medal from the Prince Albert Daily Herald Classic lacrosse tournament in Prince Albert, Sask. June 6, battling the Saskatoon Rock in a close 3-1 contest in the tournament final.
Saskatoon jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the tournament final, but Bryce Horning answered late in the first period, assisted by Drake Zimmerman and Braydee Prokopchuk, to send the game to the middle frame with one goal separating the teams.
Saskatoon scored a second period goal to give them a 3-1 win.
"Glenn Shatford was unbelievable in net for Thompson facing over 40 shots," said Thompson Lacrosse Association past president Glenn Laycock.
The Ravens' first game was against the Prince Albert Fury, who jumped out to an early 1-0 lead. Brady Ricketts scored an unassisted goal to tie the game. Prince Albert then scored to take the lead 2-1 but Horning scored two unanswered goals to give Thompson a 3-2 lead after two periods. Thompson came out strong in the third period with Taylor Ritchie scoring on a pass from Zimmerman. Ritchie's second of the game gave Thompson the 5-2 win. Shatford was outstanding in net for Thompson.
The Ravens' next game was against a strong Saskatoon Rock team that jumped out to an early 6-0 lead. Lance Laycock scored the first goal of the game for the Ravens with assists from Isaac Babulic and Shawn Moss. Horning added two quick goals with Prokopchuk and Karl Colbourne picking up the assists. Thompson came out for the second period down 6-3. Saskatoon scored six unanswered goals to end the second period with a 12-3 lead. Thompson came out hard in the third period scoring five goals in an attempt to get back into the game. Ricketts scored the fourth goal with assists going to Evan Ritchie and Brendan Beardy. Horning then scored the next three goals, giving him six for the game; assists went to Kaitlyn Fennell, Eric Shaw, James Hendren, Shatford, Jonathan Lamontagne, and Zimmerman. Kirkland Hollett and Shatford shared duties in the net, both facing numerous scoring chances and playing well against a strong Saskatoon team.
Thompson then played Prince Albert First Green and needed a win to advance to the finals. Horning scored the first goal unassisted to give the Ravens an early 1-0 lead. Prince Albert scored to tie the game late in the first. Horning scored three unanswered goals in the second, with assists going to Babulic, Ricketts, Taylor Ritchie, Evan Ritchie, Colbourne, Beardy, and Hendren. The second period ended with Thompson leading 4-1. Prince Albert scored an early goal to make it interesting in the third, but Horning's fifth of the game ended the contest as a 5-2 win for Thompson. Hollett and Shatford shared duties in net and were outstanding. This win vaulted the Ravens into the tournament final against Saskatoon Rock.
"This team did a great job as they were put together last-minute with limited practices," said Laycock. "Coaches for the team Charlie Hendren, Grahame Shatford, and Doug Lamontagne did a great job pulling the team together."
