The Nickel City Major Atom "AA" Jr Sons have picked right up where they left off, one year ago.

After enjoying a measure of success as minor atoms, the 2008-born talent representing the Nickel City Hockey Association claimed yet another championship banner, battling their way back from a third place seeding to post back to back shutouts en route to the title at the Pickering Panthers "AA" Tournament last weekend.

The Jr Sons opened with a 2-0 win over the Mississauga Terriers, remaining unbeaten on Friday thanks to a 3-3 tie with the host Pickering Panthers in their late game. The team ensured themselves a top four finish in the eight team division with a 3-1 victory over the Markham Waxers, a triumph that became even more important when they were doubled, 4-2, by the Rideau St Lawrence Kings in their final round robin game.

Slotted in third place, the Nickel City crew demonstrated, yet again, their ability to win the tight ones, slipping past the 4-0-0 Upper Ottawa Valley Aces 1-0 in the semi-final.

Noah Lafrance converted on a two on one, completing a play that was started by Ryker Young with just over five minutes to play and Sons' netminder Kalia Pharand turned aside every shot that she faced between the pipes.

There honestly wasn't a whole lot more breathing room in the final as the Sons halted the five game winning streak posted by Rideau St Lawrence, trimming the Kings 2-0 on Sunday afternoon, as Pharand made it back to back shutouts.

The Nickel City reps jumped out to a 2-0 first period lead, as Russell Ranger and Caleb Mead connected just minutes apart.

The Sons were joined at the event by the Sudbury Major Atom "AA" Wolves, who struggled to get untracked on Friday, dropping decisions to both Rideau St Lawrence (4-0) and Markham (1-0), but finding their scoring touch the next day in a 4-3 loss to Pickering and a 4-2 win over the Markham Islanders.

The 2018-2019 edition of the Nickel City Major Atom "AA" Jr Sons features goaltenders Kalia Pharand and Ethan Phillippe, and skaters Greyson Case, Carter Baron, Dylan Rousselle, Alex Rietze, Lukas Morin, Ryker Young, Grady Jalbert, Bryson Villeneuve, Russell Ranger, Brett Moxam, Noah Lafrance, Martin Brassard, Caleb Mead, Xander Strojny and Karson Gouchie.

The team staff includes Jason Young, Joel Whissell, Dan Charbonneau, Jason Rietze, Darren Gouchie, Julie Brassard and Cindy Jalbert.