BERRETH ACTION -- FINAL ROUND

Posted 3/14/10 (Sun)

The tournament has concluded.  It was an exciting event!  Here are the final game recaps.

Game 9 – Mud Cats v. Mustangs

The Mud Cats began the game short their goalie again, so Ross Ford strapped on the pads and they picked up Caleb Reiser to skate in Ross’s place.  The Mustangs took the league early and held a 2 goal lead for most of the game.  Finally, at about 3 minutes, the Mud Cats brought the game within one goal.  Then, with just over a minute remaining in the game, the Mustangs managed to put the goal in their own net.  Regulation play ended with a tie.  A three minute over-time was played.  Paul Sanderson scored the game-winner with 1:26 remaining.  The Mud Cats win 8-7. 

Game 10 – Chiefs v. Bulldogs

These two teams are always ready to battle when they get together for a game.  Today they were competing for the prize of 5^th place – consolation champions.  The game was even until half way through the first period when the Bulldogs scored.  The Chiefs answered almost immediately with a goal of their own.  The second period was scoreless.  At the start of the third period, the Chiefs had a power play, but the Bulldogs killed it off.  Chris Bauer scored the game-winner for the Bulldogs with just 5 minutes remaining in the game.  The Bulldogs added an empty-netter with just 45 seconds left.  The final score was Bulldogs 3, Chiefs 1.

Game 11 – Menace v. Longhorn

Longhorn has always done well in the Dale Berreth Tournament, winning the cup back to back in 2007 and 2008.  Tonight they went up against the Menace for the honors of third place.  Longhorn took the lead early and held the lead through most of the game.  They were ahead 2 to 1 after the first period, and 3 to 2 after the second.   In the third period the game heated up, with both team laying it all out on the ice.   The Menace tied it up when defenseman Ron Nagurski assisted Nathan McKenzie in completing his hat-trick.  Longhorn took the lead again as T.J. Olson completed his own hat-trick (assisted by Curt Berreth.  The game-winner was scored by Mark Butland (assisted by Peder  Stenslie) with just 4 minutes remaining in the game.  The final score was Menace 5, Longhorn 4.  

Game 12 – Wildcats v. Hornets

For the last 6 years the Dale Berreth Tournament has been the culmination of the MRAHL’s “C” League.   For 5 of those years the Wildcats have played in the championship game.  That’s pretty amazing!  Tonight they faced the Hornets who were appearing in the championship game for the first time.  The Hornets came out strong and claimed the first period, 2-0.  Hornet goalie, Levi Binstock, faced 6 shots, while John Pendergast for the Wildcats stopped 5 of 7.  The Wildcats finally showed some life in the second period.  They peppered Levi with 10 shots, getting 3 past him.  Pendergast was even busier, seeing 11 shots and letting in 3.  The game was 5-3 in favor of the Hornets.  Hornet scoring leader Jared Frank took the ice in the third, but after one shift he stayed on the bench because of what appeared to be a fractured lower rib.  It didn’t matter, the Hornets built up a swell of momentum that swept them to a solid victory.  They scored 3 more goals… to which the Wildcats had no answer.  The final score was Hornets 8, Wildcats 4.  The Capital City Hornets are Dale Berreth Champions.

It was a good tournament.  Of the 12 games played, 8 were decided by 1 goal (not counting empty-netters).  That’s a close field of competitors.

Here’s a few things to remember this tournament by.  Dennis Budeau reffed every single game.  Only four teams (Menace, Wildcats, Chiefs and Longhorn) finished the tournament with the same roster as they had at the beginning.  The music was… at times… well, strange.  Caleb Reiser had a good time.  Shaun Souther played for the Bulldogs.  The Chiefs finished first in the league, but 6^th in the tournament.  The Wildcats finished 7^th in the league, but 2^nd in the tournament.  Jonathan Lacher, like Jason Barkley last year, won the Dale Berreth cup in his farewell game.  Tim Polzin complained about a ref’s call.  Wildcat goalie, John Pendergast, wore a really scary mask.  Steven DeLap played goalie in a game.  Justin Roness played the whole tournament.  Fred Anderson is a tournament goalie, allowing only 4 goals in 3 games.  T.J. Olson, Jared Frank and Nathan McKenzie were each one goal shy of scoring triple hat-tricks.  There were really quite a few spectators in the stands.