The Flamborough minor atom AA Sabres were golden in Detroit, where they played against teams from Canada and the U.S. for the Motown Cup title recently.

The Sabres’ first game was played at the Joe Louis Arena, home of the NHL Detroit Red Wings. The Flamborough squad skated to a loss against the West Hill Golden Hawks. Although the Sabres did not win, they gained a lasting memory of skating on the same ice as one of the original six NHL teams.

The rest of the preliminary games were good for the Sabres as they managed a winning record against some very strong teams from Canada and the U.S.
Needing to win to advance to the gold- medal game, the Sabres delivered an outstanding effort, beating a strong Michigan team 3-0.

With the gold medal at stake, the Sabres faced the West Hill Golden Hawks for the championship.

The team had a chance for redemption against the Hawks, and came out determined to avenge the opening game loss.

The Sabres were down 2-0 heading into the third period; it seemed another loss against West Hill was inevitable.

But the team eventually put one in to get on the scoreboard. The goal sparked the Sabres, and they poured on the pressure.

They were rewarded with a game-tying marker on the very next shift.

As the clock wound down, the game went back and forth, with both teams trading good scoring chances. The Sabres were able to break the tie with less than three minutes to go.

A relentless push back by the Hawks was thwarted with outstanding team defence and goaltending, and the Sabres hung on to take the gold medal.

Roster

The minor atom AA Sabres roster includes: forwards Ben Durham, Michael Norris, Emily Oosterveld, Norman Roberts, Tyler Schaap, Charlie Smith, Paige Whaley, Conner Wilson and Riley Zimmerman; the defensive line of Jacob Dietz, Holden Johnston, Dylan McDonald, Mats Nixon. Justin Thornhill and Jarred Yates and goaltenders Zach Dietz and Tyler Staresinic.