Submitted photo
Back row, from left, trainer Paul Calleri, coaches Steve Clark, Cluadio Chichetti and head coach, Nick Rotondi. Second row: Tyler Mulholland, William Curwen, Owen Collin, Vanessa Upson, Jacob Maillet, Colin MacDougall, Liam O'Dell, Spencer Marler, Marcus Bratton, David Palmer and Drew Sherriff. First row: John Alward, Nolan Verado, Matthew Stone, Adrian Pulsone and Jacob Craft. Absent is Michael Raffay.
The OMHA Minor Atom championships took place in Hamilton last weekend and on this St. Patrick’s day final, the Hamilton Jr. Bulldogs were smiling along with the Irish.
After defeating the Niagara North Stars 5-3 on Saturday, the Bulldogs secured a spot in the bronze medal game against the Ajax Pickering Raiders. The game was extremely tight with many goal-mouth scrambles.
In the second period, the Raiders struck first, but a dazzling rush from Jacob Craft resulted in the Dog’s first goal. Ajax opened the third with a quick goal, but Vanessa Upson banged home a loose puck mid-way thru the third to set up overtime.
In the extra frame while on a power play, Liam O’Dell’s point shot rebounded to Jacob Maillet, who fired home the winning goal.
The bronze championship is the team’s second OMHA medal in as many years. Bulldog netminder Nolan Verado was awarded the game MVP for his spectacular effort.
In the gold medal game, Whitby narrowly defeated Burlington 2-1, also in overtime.
