COLE HARBOUR (The News) - The New Glasgow Bantam Rec Bombers distinguished themselves over March Break, becoming the first New Glasgow Bantam team to win the Joe Lamontagne Tournament in its 26 year history.
The Bombers took gold in five hard-fought games. The first win came against the Cole Harbour Ice Dawgs, 4-2, on goals from Reid MacQuarrie, Connor MacKay, Jonathan Brophy and Doug Lafferty. Assists came from MacQuarrie, MacKay, Brophy, Dustin Guthro and two from Nick Fraser, which earned him game MVP.
The second game ended in a 2-2 tie against the fast skating East Hants Wild Penguins. Brophy and Jared Sloan scored for New Glasgow with assists from MacQuarrie and Sloan, who was named game MVP.
Game three was a nail biter, as the bombers held off the Ice Dawgs again, 1-0. Brophy scored the lone goal for New Glasgow as goalie Brad Sanders stood on his head for the victory and an easy choice for game MVP. Game four proved to be the match of the tournament, as the Bombers overcame the favoured Cole Harbour Warriors with a miraculous come-from-behind victory. While down 3-0, MacKay scored with one second remaining in the second period.
Their spirits lifted, the Bombers fought back with three more unanswered goals in the third to win 4-3. Passing combinations by MacKay, MacQuarrie and Guthro accounted for all four Bomber goals. MacKay and MacQuarrie scored and assisted twice each. Helpers also came from Guthro and Sloan. Mackay was named MVP. Outstanding penalty killing by defencemen Connor McNeill, Cole Clarke and Byron Sutton was crucial in the victory.
The Bombers went on to win the final, defeating Cole Harbour 4-1 on two goals by Lafferty and one by Sloan, while Clarke added an empty-netter. Jonathan Brophy made three assists and was named the best forward for the game. Saunders' performance between the pipes was once again recognized as he earned the game MVP.
