Huskies Have Playoffs in Sight

Despite a valiant effort against Eastern divisional leaders Kitchener in the Alliance Playdown quarter finals, the best-of-five series was a clean sweep by the opposition in a showcase of competing talent and battling wills.  With a most spirited effort especially at both away games and at times with a conviction that defeat of this season-long rival was within reach, Hamilton delivered as passionately as they could and kept the Rangers cautious of any over-confidence.  Nonetheless, the heartbreaking outcome of the series left the Huskies reflecting on what lays ahead – a new approach to TWO new opponents in the upcoming Playoff round-robin format as they play a home-at-home series against both Sun-County and Huron-Perth, where only one team will see advancement into the finals to meet their match against the winner of the Brantford, Chatham-Kent and London series.  As our Huskies work diligently and persistently at practices this week, they continue to be supported and encouraged by a dedicated fan base that is focused on the positives and believes that the best may yet be to come.

Hamilton Huskies 3 Kitchener Rangers 4
Kitchener Rangers 7 Hamilton Huskies 2
Hamilton Huskies 2 Kitchener Rangers 5

Huskies Headed to Alliance Playdowns

Despite their loss against the top ranked Eastern division contingent from Kitchener, Hamilton highlighted their trademark relentlessness today as they came back from a three goal deficit to challenge the Rangers during their last game of the regular season.  In what was likely a preview of quarter final action in the upcoming Alliance Playdowns, the Huskies will regroup over the days to come to bring together a strategy born from over 20 weeks of learning, practicing, thinking, and dreaming the game that will eventually reward the most perseverant of all.  Together, their appetite, excitement and anticipation will fuel a passion where past scores no longer matter, as the page is turned and a clean slate gives way to a fresh start that is guaranteed to unite the most faithful fans, the most determined players, and the most believing coaches.  Posting a commendable 15-13-4 record and finishing 4^th in their division upon completion of their regular season, the Huskies have not disappointed in their rookie AAA year, and while it is often too easy to critique a play on any given day, the commitment by players and coaches was never in question but rather is the reason for this team’s advancement toward an opportunity that many others have not succeeded in capturing.

Hamilton Huskies 3 Kitchener Rangers 5

Huskies Steal Home

No pun intended here as the Huskies stole two invaluable points on home ice during their last regular season game at Chedoke’s faithful venue where family and friends gathered to watch the team determine their own fate as they faced Brantford in a confrontation that would ultimately brush the final stroke on the canvas of Hamilton’s well-drawn season.  While the Huskies did open the scoring, an all too familiar feeling of uneasiness kept the crowd on their toes as they cheered during the ping-pong exchange of goals that through physical play and unprecedented opportunities had the home team in possession of a slight advantage.  Clean breakaways, purposeful passing and sharp shooting were but a few of the tools used against the 99ers to offset several man-deficiencies, while the net-minding was as equally efficient.  A scoreless nail-biter of a third period concluded a two-game winning streak which provided the Huskies with a victory that temporarily places them in fourth in the Western standings, but more importantly secures them tickets to the show in the prestigious Alliance Playdowns to begin later this month.
Brantford 99ers 2 Hamilton Huskies 3

Huskies Packed With Faith

Despite a heartbreaking home loss against Eastern division leaders Waterloo that saw Hamilton abandon costly points in the final seconds of the game, the Huskies authoritatively redeemed themselves in Cambridge today against their season-long nemesis. Regardless of Hamilton spending the majority of the game short-changed and short-handed by the likes of at times controversial officiating, their pure Husky-like doggedness persevered through the disadvantages and delivered a nail-biter that would end the season-series against the Hawks with nothing tighter than an equal record in wins, GF and GA for both teams, where a single goal was the deciding factor in each of their four encounters. The now 4^th place Huskies continue to play with never-ending faith for four remaining available points that, along with other results in their division, will determine their final fate in the post-season.

Hamilton Huskies 4 Cambridge Hawks 3

Huskies Have Their Work Cut Out

With less than a handful of games left in regular season play, Hamilton has their work cut out for them and must battle for much needed points in the East as they vie for a Playdown spot which may be granted as late as the last puck drop in less than two weeks.  Huskies, Hawks and 99ers are each capable of a surprising finish but cannot afford the loss of any valuable points, especially in head-to-head games that can shift the standings with the slightest advantage in anyone’s favour as 5^th place in the East remains a Playdown Wild Card possibility that nobody will easily surrender to.

Hamilton Huskies 4 Kitchener Rangers 6

Huskies Redifine Teamwork

The Huskies redefined teamwork today as they delivered a stellar performance during one of the fastest games of late that demonstrated their unwavering determination in the pursuit of excellence. Together with new formations and a refreshing approach, they united as one collaborative entity to take on Elgin-Middlesex at home. After two scoreless periods and the lingering loss this opponent one month ago, the Huskies persisted and eventually equated this regular season series against the Chiefs with a sudden goal that raised the roof. Hamilton's puck movement and head's-up foresight were able to up their offensive plays while defensively showcasing their game sense and solid net-minding. Even as they fought off the only two penalties of the game, a second goal would eventually release the tension in the air at Chedoke while underlining Hamilton’s authority on the ice.
To suggested that any single player today made the difference would be to underestimate the power that these boys have in their possession when they choose to play as a team with focus on a common objective. Not only were they winners against the Western divisional leaders, but they did so by claiming a shutout victory as they say goodbye to their winless streak just as their favourite sport resumes televised action nationwide.
Elgin-Middlesex 0 Hamilton Huskies 2

Huskies Back to the Drawing Board

As a January cold spell is cast upon us, so too do the Huskies look to put a freeze on their latest low-scoring streak which has denied them any advancement in the standings since the turn of the New Year.  With only one win in their last 9 league games, the Huskies go back to the drawing board to try and better identify and further develop the key ingredients of success as they begin their last stretch around the bend toward the post-season.  With the drop of a grenade have exploded new line formations, fresh tactics and positive attitudes that hope to re-awaken the potential that this team displayed at the beginning of the season.  There is promise and hope that by combining the talent, the desire and the drive to become the best that they can be, the 9AAAs have the ability to deliver a closing act that could reward them with a position that prolongs their enjoyment of the game well into the playoffs.  However, their work is cut out for them, as they face remaining teams in the East that are ultimately battling for the same opportunity.  With a possible 12 points at stake, the only advantage Hamilton has is the more games in hand as every point, every game, and every minute spent on the frozen water has the team strategizing, calculating and forecasting their final fate.  One game at a time, the Huskies look to capture deciding points that could still launch them into the Playdowns as an Eastern entry or even as a high-ranked 5^th place crossover team against the West.  And finally, after a long-anticipated wait, timing could not be more fitting as NHL action regains the ice, inspiring this generation of young players with their favourite heroes and aspiring plays, and re-awakening the most captivating emotion within each of them as the passion for hockey across the nation as well as in our own rinks soars once more.
Huron-Perth Lakers 2 Hamilton Huskies 0
Hamilton Huskies 0 Waterloo Wolves 5
Cambridge Hawks 2 Hamilton Huskies 1
Hamilton Huskies 1 Huron-Perth Lakers 6

Huskies Gain Respect at Elite Tourney

During a typical festive break from league play, the Hamilton Huskies 9AAAs participated in a holiday tourney that would see the likes of top teams in Ontario and even the US. The Richard Bell Memorial Tournament in Oakville attracted 170 teams to play in over 400 games in all divisions ranging from AE to AAA levels, whereby the Huskies competed in a grouping of 18 teams, and battled through the toughest division that would eventually advance three of the eight finalists and crown the tournament champions. With each team and each player competing to the maximum of their potential, it was a showdown that all in attendance enjoyed.
After a solid opening win but a slight shortfall in the second game of day one, the Huskies had their work cut out for them on day two as they faced two strong G-teams, one of which is top ranked and the second which they have come close to defeating in former tournament play. Most assumed that the glass was lined with fans in attendance to watch Toronto, but in was the Huskies who raised eyebrows that morning as they held off the Marlies during two scoreless periods by delivering a stellar performance full of grit and tenacity that was unexpected to only the unfamiliar faces. Although an empty-netter would defeat Hamilton’s final effort, the game was the closest one delivered to the Toronto team while equally breaking their high-scoring shutout record.
In an established rivalry between the Huskies and the Senators, it was Hamilton who opened the scoring, creating excitement for the balance of the game, performing solidly once more, though unfortunately Mississauga would eventually overtake them in the final minute of the third.
Although Hamilton may have benefitted from lighting the lamp a few more times during this tournament, they did not allow many goals either, and their losses were close and well battled ones. Both net-minders saw more rubber than the 401, while offensive and defensive units stood on their heads to challenge the odds. In the end, however, what may be taken from this experience is the dignity and pride with which the Huskies represented themselves against some tough opposition in a division that both challenged them as well as demonstrated that they belong in what some might otherwise perceive to be an impenetrable AAA zone. While conceding to a disappointing early dismissal from the competition, Hamilton revealed a team and a game that earned the respect of others as even after their departure, the hallways echoed with praise and an abundance of complementary superlatives that look forward to future encounters.
Brampton 45s 1 Hamilton Huskies 5
Hamilton Huskies 1 Markham Waxers 4
Hamilton Huskies 1 Toronto Marlies 3
Mississauga Senators 2 Hamilton Huskies 1