Through a pair of tournaments to open the year, the Sudbury U11 Rockhounds took their lumps - all while the coaching staff preached patience and perseverance.

At the Braver than Brave - Tucker Williams Memorial Tournament this past weekend in Oshawa, the rewards for their hard work began to emerge.

Unleashing their frustration over limited offensive production to date, the Rockhounds blasted the Akwesasne Storm 12-1 in game one as seven different players struck paydirt: Adam Bain (3), Noah Legault (3); Nwaabdasse Trudeau (2); Liam Timony; Noah Vallée; Rudy Bazzard; Taylin Johnson - with Timony netting his first goal of the year.

Continuing to keep their composure, the ability to stay out of the box kept game two close until the very end as the Pelham Raiders pulled away for a 6-4 win. Justin Gouin scored a pair of goals in a losing cause, joined on the scoresheet by Taylin Johnson and Noah Legault.

A slow start proved costly in game three as the Cornwall Celtics bolted to a 3-0 first period lead before the Sudbury lads got their bearings, holding on for a 5-2 win as Rudy Bazzard handled all of the offense for the northern crew with a two goal effort.

A five game weekend schedule combined with excessive head and top of the standings opposition to make life tough for the locals in losses to both the Owen Sound North Stars and Oshawa Blue Knights.

With much of the play taking place in their own end, the Sudbury side relied heavily on the energetic defensive efforts of Luna Bertrand-Thrush and Taylin Johnson while Rudy Bazzard brought his team to life with a sensational shorthanded tally.

"Five games is a lot to ask of any young player but every single one of the kids was up to the task," said head coach Mike Wilson. "They played the right way, they competed hard and they kept bouncing back, even after receiving hard checks."

"They represented Sudbury well."

The balance of the U11 Rockhounds roster features Benjamin Hepting, Blake Dumont, Hudson Lauzon, Jack Wilson, Mackenzie Thomson and Owen Kunto.