North Nova Gryphons take silver medals in Allan Cameron Memorial Tournament

NEW?GLASGOW?- The North Nova Gryphons High School Boys Hockey Team came away from the 10th annual Allan Cameron Memorial Tournament played at the John Brother MacDonald Stadium last weekend with an appearance at the Championship game and some lessons learned. But they had to settle for silver.
Antigonish's Dr. John Hugh Gillis Regional Royals took home the gold beating the Gryphons 7-2 in the final with no losses during the tournament.
The Gryphons had a solid tournament and opened strong by doubling the Cobequid Education Centre's Cougars 4-2 in their opener.
Michael Myers showed his fire power on a power play with a set up from Kellen Malcolm and Devon Bonvie. Cory Fraser snapped one in early in the second on a rush and pass from Darcy Campbell and Bonvie while Travis Bentley replied for the Cougars.
Myers got his second of the game and Malcolm picked up another point making it 3-1 for the home team. Sniper Ryan Watters put the Gryphons ahead 4-1, assisted by Tim Robertson and Ryan MacPherson. The Cougars Pat Cox sent one home but it was too little too late as the Gryphons took home the win. Sean Kellock was solid in nets, facing 42 shots compared to 30 from North Nova
Myers was named Player of the Game for the Gryphons and James Shapleigh received the honours for the Cougars.
John Hugh Gillis defeated the Northumberland Nighthawks 7-4 with Tim MacDougall from the Royals and Dustin Bowron of the Nighthawks being named as MVPs.
Northumberland gave CEC an exciting battle winning 4-3 in overtime. Most Valuable Players were Peter Laureijs for Northumberland and Rick MacDonald for Cobequid.
The North Nova Gryphons then faced the Antigonish squad and it looked like they had the Royals' number with a 2-0 lead over the Royals team after two power play goals, one from Michael Myers, assisted by Riley Simms and the second from Ryan MacPherson, assisted by Ryan Watters.
David Novak put the Royals on the board but Watters scored for the Gryphons on helpers from Robertson and MacPherson to put the home team up 3-1 mid way through the game. The Royals however had a different ending in mind and dug deep for five unanswered goals, a hat trick from Zack Bennett and a pair from Ryan Taylor.
Player of the Game for the Gryphons was Ryan MacPherson and Zack Bennett was selected from the Royals.
In a match up of the two local teams, the Gryphons beat the Nighthawks decisively with a 5-1 victory. Goals from North Nova came from Tim Robertson, Watters, Simms, MacPherson and Brandon MacKenzie. Assists were contributed by MacPherson with three, Corey Dewtie, Robertson and Ed Fraser. Northumberland's lone goal came from Kirk Cummings. Tim Robertson picked up Player of the Game for the Gryphons and Craig Matheson was named for the Nighthawks. Kellock picked up the win in nets for the Gryphons.
CEC Cougars and The John Hugh Gillis Royals played a hard fought match with the Royals pulling out a 1-0 victory. David Novak was named Player of the Game for the Royals and Daniel Myette was given the recognition for the Cougars.
In the championship match up between the Royals and the Gryphons, a shaky start by North Nova sealed their fate as the Royals went up 4-0 by mid way through the first and never really looked back.
The Gryphons responded with goals from Cory Fraser and Blaine MacInnis to make the comeback seem possible at 4-2 but the Royals pulled away at 6-2 after two periods of play.
The Gryphons found themselves in penalty trouble and were not able to bounce back from the Royals' strong start.
Player of the Game for North Nova was captain Tim Robertson and for John Hugh Gillis it was Tim MacDougall with two goals and an assist.
It has been a few years since the Gryphons were medalists and in the championship game at the Allan Cameron Memorial Tournament thus a silver lining to the weekend for North Nova.