By Jeff Gard/Today’s Northumberland
Following a strong regular season and round-robin playdowns, the Northumberland Nighthawks National Shunt Service Ltd. U12 AA team has qualified for the Ontario Minor Hockey Association championship Apr. 8 to 10 in Kington.
Northumberland finished the OMHA Lakeshore League regular season in fourth place with a 13-10-5 record, never losing more than two straight games. They had some longer winless stretches, but were still collecting points through some ties.
“It’s been an up-and-down season really. Our record kind of reflects on it, but we really came together near the end of the season,” said head coach Mike Smith.
After winning six of their final eight regular season games, the Nighthawks also went 6-2 overall during two round-robin playdown schedules. The growth of the team throughout the season was on full display.
“We’ve always had no problem putting the puck in the net,” Smith said. “I think we’ve really focused in on our defence-first, taking care of our own end.”
Team members for the U12 AA Nighthawks are: goaltenders Merrick Linn and William Smyth as well as Simon Fisher, Samuel Clarke, Lawson Liboiron-Minifie, Landon Lafontaine, Spencer Harold, Cohen Stewart, Kylan Jones, Landyn Walsh, Riley Press, Jack Beebe, Carter Armstrong, Jack Barratt, Kaiden Woodman, Brady Shepherd and Liam Garrard.
Their first game at the OMHA U12 AA championships at the Invista Centre in Kingston is scheduled for Friday, April 8 at 2:15 p.m. against Aurora.
Play will continue Saturday, April 9 for the Nighthawks at 11:15 a.m. against Kent and 5:15 p.m. against Oakville.
Semifinals are set for Sunday, April 10 at 8 and 8:30 a.m. followed by the championship final at 1:30 p.m.
“We always knew we had the team to get there, it was just putting everything together and coming together as a team,” Smiths said. “We’ve been really stressing becoming a family and playing for each other.”
