Cobras win in Toronto

December 11, 2007

The Minor Midget Cobras are having a tough time in league play so far this season, seeming to find ways to lose games they should be winning. In Toronto however they put it all together, got on a roll and went unbeaten through the entire tournament. The Cobras got off to a good start, defeating the host Ice Dogs 4-2. The line of Martin Maloney Clarke McGillis and Graham Cross was hot netting a couple of goals and creating many more opportunities with their aggressive forechecking.

In the second game of the day Ajax banged in a goal with only 12 seconds left to manage a 3-3 tie. Maxim Ouellete played a strong game on defense and scored the Cobras 3rd goal with a top-corner bullet from the point - his first goal as a Cobra.  The Cobras were strong again on Saturday against Credit Valley. It was a one goal game going into the third until the Cobras capitalized on some Credit Valley penalties and blew the game open. Alexandre Lamarche played a very strong, physical game for the Cobras and chipped in with a goal and assist. Final score Cobras 7 Credit Valley 1.

The Cobras faced the Ottawa Sting on Sunday morning in the semi-final, and again, a tight game until the Cobras scored on the power play. A 5-1 Cobras win set up the tournament finals against the Bracebridge Bears.

Much of the first period was played in the Cobras end zone, and only strong goaltending by Benoit Gagnon allowed the Cobras to stay even until the offense got going. Once it did though, the Bears couldn't contain the Cobras. Led by the line of Sébastien Boucher, Justin Quinn and Marc-Olivier Pilon, the Cobras pumped in 5 goals for the 5-1 win. Ben Gagnon made a number of big saves early then closed the door late and received the game MVP for his efforts. With the victory came some bad news. Early on in the final game forward Shawn Ratté fell awkwardly into the boards and injured his arm. X-Rays later showed his arm was broken, and Shawn will be out 4 weeks.