Our Lion Cubs players were split into different teams and played thrilling 6-minute 3vs3 games for Group 1 and 9-minute games for Group 2. It was fantastic to see our players compete fiercely on the rink but remain mates off it.
Our three coaches, Dani, Doc, and James, also took on each other with their own teams for the first time. Dani and Doc got the better of James in the group stage, but James got his revenge in the knockout games. His team, the Hotdogs, reached the G1 final, with five Cubs players taking part. Both Cubs keepers, Isabel and Hollie, went in goal for each team in the final. Unfortunately, Coach James’ Hotdogs lost to a last-second winning goal, but all the Cubs involved had an amazing day.
Every one of our players scored goals, including first-ever junior goals for Zakk, Leo, and Lucas. Lottie and Ellis were taken out of their comfort zones by being selected to play in Group 2 with older and more experienced players. Lottie did amazing, getting six wins in very close games. Ellis was selected to play in a special team picked by Rene, who put all the more experienced under 8s players together to help them experience playing against bigger and stronger players. Although they didn’t secure a win, all games were close, including the knockout game where the UFOs lost 2-1.
Hollie won the G1 keeper of the day and the G1 final with Cubs teammates Holden and Lucas. Patrick, Joe, and Theo, along with Isabella in goal and was only competing in her 2nd game day but showed massive improvment making some big saves including in the final game and picked up silver, and Leo picked up bronze. This completed the day with all our G1 players winning a prize. But better than any winner’s medal was the experience all the children got today. They made new friends with players from other teams, showing that while they may be rivals on the rink, they can be friends off it.
Thank you to Better Hockey GameChanger, Cwench UK and Desert Rats and everyone else who made this day unforgettable!
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