2016 OBHA WINTER PROVINCIALS
All Ontario Cup - April Fools Tournament
This past weekend, London played host to the 2016 OBHA Winter Provincials and All Ontario Cup April Tournament which saw 20 teams take to the floor, spread out over 3 divisions. The weather was warm and the competition was fierce as some of Ontario’s finest ball hockey players battled for the title of Champion.
Men’s C Division Recap
Things kicked off at 10am Saturday at Stronach Arena as the Outpatients and Punishers secured convincing wins over their respective opponents. Rob Vanwynsberg had a big first game for the Outpatients, netting 2 goals and 1 assist and nabbing First Star honours. Mike Neilson and Dan Setacci had strong games for the Punishers, as they finished first in their division with 6 points (3-0-0). The Throwbacks also had a strong first round, going (2-1-0) while getting good efforts from Derek Hann and Ryan McNeilly.
The first semi-final showdown saw the Outpatients take on the Punishers. After the Punishers got off to a fast start, scoring 2 goals in 36 seconds, the Outpatients stormed back to tie it before the end of the first. The second period saw the Punishers get the only 2 goals in the frame and, while the Outpatients gave it a valiant effort, the Punishers eked out a 5-4 victory and secured their spot in the Finals. Dan Setacci had another big game, getting 2 goals and the game winner, while Brad Campbell notched a pair for the Outpatients.
The second semi pitted the Ontario Selects against the second-place Throwbacks in a thrilling affair that needed overtime to settle a winner. With the Ontario Selects holding a 2-goal lead well into the second period, the Throwbacks Bryan McGahey scored two goals less than 2 minutes apart to tie the game. After a scoreless third, the game went to sudden-death where Chad Asselstine scored the winner 3:18 in to OT. This set up the round robin rematch with the Punishers.
After Mike Martin opened the scoring for the Punishers near the end of the first, it was a tight defensive battle until midway through the second where the teams exchanged goals. The Throwbacks put up a good fight but in the end, the Punishers prevailed and were crowned Tournament Champions. Mike Martin and Keith Dale were dominating for the Punishers, each with 2 goals in the Final and 1st and 2nd Stars of the Game.
