From left, Jeff Solow, Scott Donohue, Trey Bradley, George Mika and Bryan Kirshe get their trophies after Tampa’s victory Sunday.
Tampa Bay 96 AAA Lightning claim crown with 6- 0 record
Ex- NHL player earns third title
Brian Bradley never won a Stanley Cup during 13 seasons as an NHL player. He’s 3- for- 3 as a coach at the Bell Capital Cup, though.
Sunday at Scotiabank Place, Bradley and his Tampa Bay Jr. Lightning defeated the Halton Hurricanes 5- 1 to claim the major atom AAA division crown.
“ My other son came last year, and we won it, too, in minor peewee AAA,” said Bradley, who spent his final six NHL seasons with Tampa Bay before retiring in 1998.
“ I’ve won it in minor atom, minor peewee and now major peewee from Tampa and South Florida. I’ve been here with the South Florida Golden Wolves, and we won major atom and minor peewee, and it’s a great experience. The bottom line is the kids come and compete, and they’re excited to come and play the Canadian kids.”
Lightning players were certainly excited after Sunday’s victory, which capped a tournament in which they went 6- 0 and outscored their opponents 29- 9.
“ You look at all the best tournaments and this is one of the best ones, and the kids look forward to coming here,” Bradley said. “ It’s a great experience because a lot of these kids have never been out of the United States. We got some luck, but we beat some great teams along the way, and these kids deserved to win.”
The Lightning had the two top scorers in the major atom AAA division, including Bradley’s son, Trey, whose 15 points were one less than teammate George Mika.
Bradley had two goals in the championship game, while Mika had one. Jackson Costello and Scott Donohue also scored for the Lightning.
Justin Brack had the only goal for the Hurricanes. “ We played good and did good on our power plays. We capitalized, found the open spots and we won,” said Costello, who also enjoyed his time away from the rink.
“ We had a good time playing in the snow because we don’t get it at home, plus going to the Parliament Buildings and looking at the history of Canada.”
Hurricanes coach Joe Condotta was disappointed with the loss, but he put everything in perspective.
“ This is my second time back, and it’s a first- class tournament,” he said. “ The things that happen off the ice are just as important as the things that happen on the ice. It was great for the boys, we had a fantastic time, and it’s the most well- run tournament we’ve come to.
“ Even though we’re disappointed in our effort ( Sunday), we had a fantastic time. Just getting here was fantastic. This was a very positive experience. ( The Lightning) were the elite team in the tournament, and they deserve a lot of credit.”
There were nine other finals Sunday at Scotiabank Place, and two capital- region teams claimed their respective titles. The Capital Crusaders won 5- 1 over the Goulbourn Rams in the major atom A final, while the Osgoode Rideau Senators took the minor peewee A title with a 2- 1 victory over the Gloucester Rangers.
The Moscow North Stars, the team that arrived for the tournament before their equipment and had to player their opener with borrowed and donated items, won the minor peewee AA final 3- 1 over the Vaughan Rangers.
Two American clubs left Canada as champions, too. The Syracuse Stars edged the North York Rangers 3- 1 in the minor atom AAA final, while the Atlanta Fire defeated the Kanata Blue Blazers in the minor atom A final 2- 0.
Ontario teams won the other four finals.
In minor peewee AAA, the Toronto Red Wings defeated the Westchester Express 2- 1. In major peewee AA, the Toronto East Enders Ticats won 5- 2 over the Langley Eagles. The Richmond Hill Stars won the major peewee A final 2- 1 over the Charleston Wolverines. In major atom AA, the Sault Ste. Marie Reps topped the Burnaby Winter Club Bruins 3- 1.