A group of young men from Zurich and area returned the same Ken Waters Memorial Trophy to the village that was won 56 years ago, the organizations very first OMHA title. This was Zurich’s 7th OMHA Championship and a special one after being moved up to ‘D’ caliber this season, it was the first ever Ontario win for the 1999 born players and ‘back to back’ titles for the second year players born in 1998. They clinched the championship in game 4 by a score of 3-0 over the Creemore Valley Hawks. Mitch Finlay undressed 3 defenders to open up the scoring for the locals late with 51 seconds remaining in the first period on a pass from Tyler Merner. The goal silenced the jam packed Creemore arena.
After 2 periods the score remained 1-0. In the 3rd the team stepped up big time to play their best period of the season according to head coach Pete Overholt. At the 10 minute mark John Cooke buried one high glove side on a two on one pass from Finlay and Joey Mathonia. Travis Cressman sealed the deal with 2 minutes remaining on a pass from Devon Steckle and Connor Brand. Goaltender Will Overholt stood on his head in this one and was rock solid throughout the series allowing only 3 goals and picking up his 10th shut-out of the season. Other players showing strong efforts were defenseman Nathan King,
Jacob LaPorte, Jake Earle, Mack Hendrick, forwards Jarett Oke, Elliot Paulger,
and goaltender Wade Coombs.Other team officials were assistant coach Brian
Cooke, trainer Doug Finlay and manager Marty Merner. It was a great celebration ride home on the
coach bus from Creemore with players, families, friends and fans who made the
trip up and special thanks to all who supported the team this season, including
team jersey sponsor Coleson Freight Solutions. The team finished the season
with an impressive 27-7-2 record and knocked off a Creemore team in the finals
that went undefeated all season against some good competition. The team plans
to do a celebration parade Friday April 12 around 5:30pm before the annual ZMAA
hockey banquet.