The first quarter-final matchup was a rematch of the Fall Premier final which saw the North York Leafs and the Toronto Thunder. The Thunder would gain a measure of revenge as they easily handled the Leafs 4-1 and were through to the semi-final round. The defending Premier Champions Brampton Express drew old rivals the Mississauga Hawks. The short benched Hawks fought valiantly, but could not beat Express keeper David Di Gironimo and would end up losing 3-0.

For the other two match ups, all eyes were on the Leominster Flyers as they prepared to face the Thornhill Steelers. Four goals before the game was six minutes old chased Steeler starter Paul Zarnett from the cage and the Flyers would cruise to a 5-0 victory. In the last quarter-final matchup last year’s runners up the Niagara Ironmen would square off against the Metro Orangemen and a couple of bounces in the Ironmen’s favour turned in to a 3-0 victory and the semi-finalists were set.

The Thunder would face the boys from the USA. In a tight back and forth affair the difference would be Pauly Neves. Recently picked up off the free agent list from the Express, Pauly joined the Thunder a week before the tournament and paid immediate dividends as he would fire two goals en-route to the 2-0 Thunder win. It had been quite a ride for the boys from Leominster, but unfortunately they couldn’t muster enough offence against one of the perennial Premier favourites. The thunder would advance to the final and try for their third straight Premier Pre-Season Tournament Championship.

As the Thunder sat and watched, the Brampton Express and Niagara Ironmen would meet for the first time since last year’s league final. A young and enthusiastic Ironmen club ran hard, but the offence provided from Mike Porter was enough as Express went on to a 4-1 victory.

A final that many envisioned came to fruition the Toronto Thunder vs. the Brampton Express. Both teams entered the finals undefeated and the stage was set. As the minutes ticked down to game time players on both sides were confident with their clubs chances at victory. The fans filed into the packed arena and it was game time.

You would think by watching this game that it was game three of a playoff series for a national spot not the final of a preseason tournament. The Thunder would strike first as a Danny Filice rocket from just inside the blue line would find the back of the net. The Express would answer back on the power play from newcomer JK Gill who would find the five-hole on new Thunder goaltender Dan Giffin to tie the score at one. Veteran Pauly Neves would come back to haunt his old mates as he scored on the powerplay to give his new club the edge they would never relinquish. Before the Express could settle into the game Massimo Principe’s breakaway had doubled the Thunder lead to 3 -1. Consecutive penalties to the Thunder gave the Express a chance to climb back into the game, but the solid goal tending of Giffin would hold the lead at two goals. He final goal was by veteran Danny Pacheco into the empty net and the Thunder would capture their third consecutive Premier Pre-Season Tournament Championship.

After their disappointing loss at the hands of the Ironmen and Leafs the last two seasons GM Tony Faria addressed his teams need to strengthen the back end. With the additions of Dan Giffin (Hawks), Pauly Neves (Express), Vic Ferreira (St. Mike’s) and Kal Kakish (Jets) as the Thunder dipped into the free agent market and scored big by adding an element of toughness which may be the missing piece of the puzzle.

Tournament MVP for his outstanding play and two game winning goals in both the semi-finals and finals was Thunder defenceman Pauly Neves. Along with being named MVP he was also named to the tournament All-Star team teammates forward Marco Goncalves and goaltender Dan Giffin. For their excellent play Brampton Express also placed three All-Stars defencemen Nelson Laguenesse and forwards JK Gill and Mike Porter.

If this tournament was any indication of things to come were in for one exciting season of Premier Ball Hockey.

Congratulations to all the teams that participated and thank you to all the fans that attended and took in the action for the last five days.

We look forward to seeing everyone again as opening night is less than a week away.

For all the game results click here