On Saturday March 8th, the Barrie Colts U12B
hockey team hosted the Newmarket Red Renegades in the final game of the 2025
qualifiers. This game had significant meaning for each team, simply put, the
winner would advance to the league semi-finals. Each player knew that the season
and a chance of OMHA glory was on the line. The tension and anticipation was
palatable, from the benches to the stands.
Both teams gave everything they had. The
players were locked into a defensive battle, with both incredible goaltenders
making unbelievable saves, some of which were literally centimeters from
breaking the stalemate. Defenders and forwards alike continually pressed
forward with extra grit and determination, but the goalies would not budge.
Into the third period, they pressed on. After a scramble in front of the Barrie
net, the Red Renegades were able to slip a goal past the goaltender to break
the scoreless game. As anticipated, this ignited the Barrie players to recover
the goal and tie up the game. An empty
net goal sealed the game at 2-0 for the Newmarket Red Renegades U12 B team. It
was a tremendous and very hard-fought contest, where either team could have
come away with the win, it just so happens, this day it was a Renegade victory.
With emotions running high for the Renegade
players, basking in their hard-fought win on the ice with their team 3 players
noticed something that would change the way this game will be remembered.
Renegades, Armen Ghalandary #17, Nicholas Tecca #14 and Elliott Kauk #93
noticed 2 Colt’s players, Logan Blois #19 and Eli Staffen #10, taking a knee
and observing their celebrations. Without a moment of hesitation, our 3 boys
left their team mates to console their fallen Colt’s revivals.
This display of empathy and sportsmanship is
what this game will be remembered for. With so much on the line and so many
emotions exploding when the final buzzer sounded, for our boys to leave all
that behind and stand with the Colt’s players is truly astonishing and can only
be attributed to the leadership of their head coach Mr. Kris Bellissimo, who is
a reflection of the NMHA values of sportsmanship.
You can watch this great display of sportsmanship HERE
GO RENEGADES!!!