Another weekend and another tournament for Lucas. This time it was a trip to Sheffield.
Lucas played for both the Under 10s and Under 8s fitting in nine games across the two day event.
The Under 10s were unfortunately over powered by the other teams finishing with one win, one draw and 4 losses, but the under 8s finished with 4 wins and only 1 defeat, leaving them joint top of the group, but missing out on goals conceded, despite the same points as Cardiff and Kirkcaldy. With each team losing only against the others, therefore nullifying the head to head results (Chelmsford lost to Cardiff, but beat top the of the table Kirkcaldy).
The final group game against table topping Kirkcaldy saw them needing a win to stand any chance of going through. The Scottish outfit were easily the best Under 8s team there and had Chelmsford under pressure from the very start of the game. Our littl'uns did us proud and defending with lots of passion and desire and kept Kirkcaldy at bay for the first half of the game. Then the tide began to turn and the game evened up. We started putting them under pressure with a few minutes left and with just 45 seconds left on the clock, we got that all important goal and won the game 1-0.
The kids celebrated like they had won the cup itself, as it was a game that showed not only how far we had come in the last year, but also the potential we have in the next few years. It was great to see how much it meant to them, as sticks and gloves went flying when the skated on the ice to celebrate with those on for the last shift.
It was gutting for the kids and especially the coaches. Having to explain to a bunch of 5 and 6 year olds that they would still be going out on goals conceded, after the performance they had just put in and getting a result that looked unobtainable previously.
Lucas didn't get any goals, but grabbed three assists and made numerous blocks.
He also had the chance to play against a fellow ambassador Sam Watkins on the first day. Both finished their match up by coming together at the boards just before the final buzzer.
That was the final games of Lucas' season and it was a season that has seen him improve drastically, picking up the odd goal here and there, including his first ever, along with a man of the match award.
He has a lot to build on for his next season with the under 10s and is already looking forward to it.