It took all of one game for the Sudbury U15 Rockhounds to adjust to the speed of play, competing at their first B/C tournament of the year last weekend as the locals travelled to participate in the Jim Leworthy Tournament in Milton.
Deadlocked in a 1-1 tie after the opening period of their ice-breaker with the Hamilton Bengals, the Rockhounds surrendered four goals in the middle stanza en route to a 7-2 loss as Jackson Mead hit the mark twice for Sudbury.
Determined to make amends, the U15 Hounds blasted Six Nations 10-2, netting nine unaswered goals in the final two periods, an outburst led by Koda Peltier (4 goals), Jackson Mead (3) and Malik Jakubo (2), with Braeden Thibault rounding things off with a solo effort.
No easing up in game three as the Rockhounds made it back to back 10-2 outings, overwhelming the London Blue Devils with six goals in the third. While Mead (3) and Peltier (2) were again front and center, the likes of Wyatt Pardal, Leo Gerhardt, Jordan Biszak and Tucker Johnson all joined Malik Jakubo with one goal apiece.
The closest encounter of the weekend for the Sudbury lads would come in their final game as the Kitchener Kodiaks stormed back from a 4-1 deficit, edging the Rockhounds 5-4.
Second period goals by Jackson Mead, Aidan O'Coin, Koda Peltier and Mead, with his second, had the locals sitting pretty heading to the third.
"The coaching staff is pleased with the team's progress and looks forward to further development and achievements," noted head coach Benoit Douillette. "Their performance at this tournament was a testament to their hard work, dedication and teammwork."
Rounding out the roster are Mikko Leinala, Liam Ramalho, Cayden Depatie, Brayden Wabano, Joel Simerson, William Gouchie, Evan Couling, Wyatt Williams, Alexander Rainville and Ryder McKee.
The U15 Rockhounds, along with the remaining GSLA rep teams are thrilled to be hosting the return of the Nickel City Shootout later this month with 25 teams making their way to Sudbury for the tournament taking place from June 28th to the 30th.
