The Cambridge U16 AAA Hawks stay at the OHL Cup didn't last long.
In their wild card play-in game on Monday morning at the Scotiabank Pond in Toronto, the Hawks fell 8-1 to the York-Simcoe Express.
York-Simcoe jumped out to a 7-0 lead after two periods before Kyle Welmers scored Cambridge's lone goal to open the third. Tristan Hill recorded an assist on Welmers' marker.
The Express now move on to play in the Nash Division of the 20-team tournament that serves as one of the final times players can impress scouts in the lead up to the Ontario Hockey League draft next month.
Rounds one through three of the draft are scheduled for April 12. The remaining rounds, four through 15, will take place the following day.
Last year, five Cambridge Minor Hockey Association players were selected, including defenceman Jack D'Arcy and forward Reid Gammage who both played for the Cambridge RedHawks this season after being picked by the Flint Firebirds and London Knights, respectively.
The first day of the 2024 draft can be seen on YourTV, Rogers TV, Eastlink, Cable 14 and Shaw Spotlight community stations, with both days being available via a stream on OHL Live.