On January 17th 2015 the first tournament of the new year took place. The second round of the Cool Runnings cup, an annual junior hockey tournament that see’s the Cork Wolfpack face off against the Flying Ducks(a amalgamated team of the Dublin Ducks & Junior Flyers). The tournament format is split into two classes, Under 12’s & Over 12’s, and it is best of 4 games held over two legs, one in Dublin, one in Cork. In the event of a 2-2 tie, a shootout would decide the winner!
The second leg would start all square; 1-1 after round 1 in Dublin, and the Cork Wolfpack had to be feeling confidant as they welcomed the Flying ducks into their house.
Game one, Under 12’s faced off at 7:30am.
The game opened at a ferocious tempo, with both teams obviously up for a great game. The Cork Wolfpack drew first blood an early lead, Unfortunately, It didn’t stop there as the puck seemed to be constantly seeing the back of the Flying ducks net. However towards the end of the 2nd the Flying Ducks were starting to look dangerous, and managed to draw a few goals back. The third period saw much of the same, but ultimately the home team were just too good on the day and the first matchup of the day was awarded to them.
The score line does not represent the games intensity as the Flying Ducks had an abundance of chances, but Cork were just able to shut down the offensive drive.
Final Score:
Cork Wolfpack 15 – 4 Flying Ducks.
Next up was the Over 12’s.
From the very first face off, the speed of this game awed the audience, both team going at 110%. The Flying Ducks knew they had to win to even the aggregated score and Cork knew that a win would keep the cup in Mahon Point for another year.
mid way through the first period, the Flying Ducks took two penalties, leaving them on a 4 on 2 penalty kill. Aaron Daly and Nathan Daly would take the shift and did an impressive job of killing off any offensive threat Cork seemed to throw at them. Just after the first penalty came to a close, the Wolfpack still had a one-man advantage. It would be on this power play that the Cork Wolfpack would capitalize. 1-0 Cork.
For the Flying Ducks the penalties seemed to keep on coming, and for the Wolfpack, so did the goals, they took a 2-0 lead, quickly followed by a beautiful backhand shot from Cork Wolfpack #17; 3-0 Cork, and the 4th came in the dying seconds of the 2nd period.
The Flying Ducks started the 3rd period as a new team and picked up their first goal. The comeback wouldn’t last long though as Cork we’re quick to react with their 5th goal of the day, and in the final moments of the game a 6th came.
Final Score:
Cork Wolfpack 6 -1 Flying Ducks
On the day it certainly seemed like the ice was slanted in the direction of the Flying Ducks net, however the effort and passion displayed by the Flying Ducks was evident by all at the event.
The Cool Runnings cup however will stay with the Cork Wolfpack for another year! Congratulations to Victor and all the members of the Cork Wolfpack!
The IIHA would personally like to thank all the supporters that came from all around Ireland to witness the future of the sport in Ireland. A huge recognition should be given to the parents, guardians, family and friends who made the trip to Mahon point, and took the roof off the rink during the games!
Thank you to the coaching staff of both the Cork Wolfpack and the flying Ducks for their expertise in developing the kids to such an impressive level. The IIHA would also like to thank our two referees for the day Paul Cummins(Kilkenny Storm) and Alan Fleming (Celtic Clovers) for their time, effort and continued commitment to junior hockey in Ireland.
Last but certainly not least a huge thank you to Bill at Cool Running Events for his support and commitment to Junior hockey all over Ireland.
Here’s to the 2016 Cool Runnings Cup!
Visit our Facebook to see all the photos from the day!
Jamie Hickey
IIHA Editor
Questions? Please send me an email on jamiehickey@iiha.org