While the stars aligned nicely for the Valley East Major Atom Rebels, capturing an OHF (Ontario Hockey Federation) Championship over the weekend, the challenge that is presented to local teams became abundantly clear to a pair of remaining Nickel District Minor Hockey League entries.

The Walden Devils Peewee "A" crew and Copper Cliff Redmen Peewee "AA" squad combined for just one tie, with neither team advancing to the semi-finals on Sunday.

Still, given that only five teams province-wide advance to the OHF championships in each category, the NOHA representatives have much to be proud of. Battling in London, Walden started on a positive note, earning a 3-3 tie with the London Bandits in their opening game.

Little did they know the buzz saw of competition that still awaited them, as the Devils dropped three straight games, falling to the Vaughan Panthers (6-0), Cobourg Cougars (5-1) and Cambridge 8-1.

The Panthers ultimately claimed Gold on Sunday afternoon, blanking the Bandits 1-0 as the host team rebounded nicely after their tie with Walden. Meanwhile, the Peewee "AA" Redmen travelled to Mississauga with realistic expectations of a playoff berth on their minds.

Certainly no blowouts in the making, but when the dust settled, Copper Cliff were saddled with a record of 0-4, finishing last in round robin play. The locals were beaten by the Barrie Colts (2-0), Mississauga Jets (3-0), London Jr Knights Gold (3-0) and Toronto Aeros 4-3, as the team struggled to kick their offense into high gear.

The Colts were crowned provincial champions on Sunday, avening a 3-1 round robin loss to Mississauga by blanking the Jets 3-0 when it mattered the most. The northern teams enjoyed their most success at the Atom "A" level, with New Liskeard playing host to the OHF tournament at the Don Shepherdson Memorial Arena.

The Porcupine NorFab Jr Gold Kings bounced Temiskaming Shores 5-2 in an all-NOHA final, producing the second Gold medal of the weekend for the region which covers most of the area bordered by Sault Ste Marie, Kapuskasing, the Tri-Towns area, North Bay and Sudbury.