2007 Midwest Training Camp Trip>

The Mass Maple Leafs College Development team started their annual training camp Midwest
trip to play CSHL teams.

The trip started out with a game versus the Syracuse Stars of the Empire League.  The Stars
are a preseason favorite in the Empire League this coming season.  The Leafs started a little
slow in their debut of the 2007-08 season.  However, they were able to apply an offensive
onslaught that the Stars could not overcome and won by the score of 8-3.  The offense was led
by Mike Stubits who had 5 points along with Ronnie Paiva who picked up four and leaving off
where he was at last season.  Both Gerard Dunne and Mike Debesse played well in the Leafs net.

The Leafs then traveled to Farmington Hills, Michigan to take on 4 strong CSHL teams.  The first
team up was the Flint Junior Generals, who was a participant in last years Junior B Nationals.  
The Leafs competed for most of the game but a combination of costly defensive zone turnovers
and untimely penalties were too much for the Leafs to overcome.  The Leafs lost 5-1 but once
again Dunne and Debesse played well in between the pipes.

The Leafs then took on host team Motor City Chiefs.  The Leafs had many scoring opportunities
but could not capitalize.  At some points in the game, the Leafs dominated but had to settle for a
2-2 tie.  Paiva and Stubits led the Leafs offensively and Debesse had 28 saves in the tie.

The Leafs then took on the Michigan Ice Dogs.  The Leafs showed times of sluggishness and
worse for wear.  In a penalty marred game with the Ice Dogs scoring 5 power play goals. The
Dogs went onto win 7-2.  Peter Hasenfuss and Mike Connor scored their first goals of the
season with the latter being his 1st Junior goal.

The Leafs then played their final game in the Farmington Hills Showcase.  The Leafs definitely
saved their best for last.  The Leafs took on Toledo Cherokee and was able to put their best
effort together for the young 07-08 season.  The Leafs battled back from a 1-0 and 3-1 deficit to
be tied at 3 after two periods.  The comeback were on some individual efforts in Mike Rizzitano
and Justin Howarth.  The Leafs went ahead and stayed ahead on power play goals by Eric
Anderson and Sean Gallagher to seal a 5-3 victory.

The Leafs then traveled to Peoria, Illinois to take on the Mustangs of the CSHL.  The Leafs played
a a very well rested and a much more physical team.  The Leafs had some scoring chances in
the 1st two periods including a goal being called backed but was not able to convert and trailed
2-0 after two periods.  Both of the Mustangs goals were power play goals.  Paul Karus played
well in net.  The third period the Mustangs were too strong and the Leafs showed that they were
very worn down and tired playing their 6th game in 5 days and the final score was 7-0.

The Leafs final stop took them to Cincinnati, Ohio.  In Ohio, the Leafs took on yet another CSHL
team the Queen City Steam.  This game concluded the 7 games 6 day road trip for the road
weary Leafs.  Once again they were times of domination but could not put one in the net and lost
by the score of 4-0.

The Leafs record on the trip versus CSHL and Empire teams ended at 2-4-1.  The trip not only
brought the Leafs together on the ice but off the ice as well and was a good tool of team building.
 The Leafs gained confidence after beating not only a top Junior B team but beating  and tying a
Tier 3 Jr A team and competing versus half of the CSHL.  The Leafs showed great improvement
throughout the trip and are eager to continue their 2007-08 season.
Massachusetts
Maple Leafs