The Welland Tigers clinched the under 18 level-A Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) championship, defeating the Quinte West Golden Hawks 4-3 on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at the Iroquois Park Sports Centre in Whitby, Ontario.
Tigers captain Carter Kipp clinched the win with a decisive goal two minutes and 25 seconds into overtime, marking a significant triumph for his team.
Reflecting on the game, Tigers player Nolan Hemauer described the overtime as tense. “It was tense watching and playing, but as soon as that puck entered the net, we knew it was over,” he said.
Tigers assistant coach/trainer Damien Alfieri praised the team’s hard work and determination throughout the season, attributing their success to “true grit” and a strong work ethic. “We worked all year for this, and I’m very proud of everybody involved,” he said.
The game saw a series of lead changes, beginning with an early goal by Tigers’ Alexander McQuillan, followed by a comeback from the Golden Hawks with two goals by Brock Davy and Trey Cocek, taking a 2-1 lead.
The Tigers responded with goals from Brodie Bevacqua and Mitchell Tomaino, gaining a 3-2 advantage before Cocek’s second goal for the Golden Hawks, tying the game, sending it into overtime.
Despite the loss, Quinte West Golden Hawks Head Coach Chris Atanas expressed pride in his team’s performance. “The boys fought hard, we shouldn’t have even been here, we’re the lowest ranked team and here we are proving everyone wrong,” he said.
The championship game was the first meeting between the two top-ranked teams from different districts, as noted by Gamesheet Inc., setting the stage for a highly competitive showdown.
Looking ahead, the Welland Tigers and Quinte West Golden Hawks are set to continue their seasons at the 2024 Ontario Hockey Federation Championships, which will take place from April 19-21 in Welland, where they will compete on a larger stage.