Around The Rink

Game Recaps

• Last minute goal forces overtime and Oakville comes back to beat Buffalo –RECAP
• Overtime goal by Wilhelm gives the Vees a big win over Trenton - RECAP
• Spink's hat trick boosts Cornwall over Ottawa, 6-4 - RECAP
• Hawkesbury rolls over Kanata, 6-3 RECAP

Social Media 101

Last night I attended a “Social Media Seminar” in Prescott put on by the Great Waterway group. It was aimed at how to promote your event using social media. It was very informative and well presented. A couple of new ideas, and like psychology, formalization of some common sense notions. It is always nice to hear these speakers when they acknowledge what you are doing as being the correct approach.

Of course my interest was in utilizing social media in the promotion of our event, OFSAA Track & Field, June 7-8-9 in Brockville.

I took away from the session last night this concept; in order of effectiveness: A blog, Twitter, Facebook.

The Cornwall Colts recovered nicely from their loss in Carleton Place on Sunday, with their 6 – 4 win over Ottawa,forcing Brockville and the Canadians to really extend themselves to catch Cornwall. Both 2nd and 3rd place finishes avoid Nepean to the final round of playoffs. second place not only gives you home ice advantage in the first two rounds but also will likely avoid either Pembroke or Hawkesbury in the first.

Let’s tale a look at those standings, currently;

On first perusal it looks dim fo Brockville, but wait,… lets see what happens if Canadians win their two (2) games in hand on Cornwall;

And now for the crowning ; let’s say Brockville wins the game in Cornwall on Thursday night and wins their three (3) games in hand. Now what do we have:

It’s going to be exciting, not only for these 3 spots but another battle is raging for 5th (Pembroke & Hawkesbury) and another still for the 8th and final playoff position (Kanata & Smiths Falls).

Wellington falls to Kingston after surprising comeback

Wellington CC    Mon, Feb 20, 2012

The Kingston Voyageurs climbed out of a two-goal hole to beat the Wellington Dukes, 4-3.

Kingston never led in the game until netting the game winner. The Voyageurs was down 3-1 after a goal by Wellington's Craig Campbell at 8:20 in the second period. Kingston tied things up at 3-3 on a goal by Greg Trichilo at 8:13 in the third period. The Voyageurs got the game winner at 13:48 in the third period on a goal by Trichilo.

The win by Kingston clinched the best of five series at 3-2.

Trichilo was all over the ice for the Voyageurs, as he tallied one goal and three assists in the win.

Kingston additionally got points from Steve McParland, who also registered one goal and one assist and Kyle Wilhelm, who also finished with one goal and two assists. Kingston got a goal from Ludlow Harris as well. More assists for Kingston came via Graham Yeo and Kyle Gaskin, who contributed one each.

The Dukes managed to stay out of the box better than usual, registering one minor for two minutes in penalty time. Wellington finished below its season average of eight penalty minutes per game.

The Dukes were led by Darcy Murphy, who tallied two goals. Murphy scored the first of his two goals at 1:56 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Wellington. Murphy's next tally made the score 2-1 Wellington with 8:34 left in the first period. Cam Yuill assisted on the tally. Other players who recorded assists for Wellington were Anthony Taylor and Ryan Donohoe, who each chipped in one.

Charlie Finn turned away 27 pucks between the pipes for Kingston. The Voyageurs incurred four minutes in penalty time with two minors. Tyler Marble recorded 26 saves for Wellington. The Dukes registered zero goals on two power play opportunities.

Gahagen stymies Hamilton, Buffalo wins 4-1

Mountain Arena    Thu, Feb 16, 2012

The Buffalo Jr. Sabres relied on the sparkling performance of Parker Gahagen in net to grab a 4-1 win against the Hamilton Red Wings.

The win by Buffalo clinched the best of five series at 0-3.

Andrew Poturalski had two goals to lead the Jr. Sabres to victory. Poturalski's tallies came at 7:30 into the first period to make the score 1-0 Buffalo and 10:11 into the third to make the score 3-1 Buffalo.

Hamilton's power play was ineffective against Buffalo's penalty kill, which allowed zero goals while shorthanded.

The Jr. Sabres excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in eight chances.

Buffalo also got points from Ryan Schmelzer, who also finished with one goal and one assist. Kollin Schultz also scored for Buffalo. In addition, Buffalo received assists from Chris Luker, Max Mikowski, and Rocky Gruttadauria, who contributed one each and Jacob Ledyard and Tim Kielich, who each chipped in two.

The Red Wings forced Buffalo goalie Gahagen to work between the pipes, taking 32 shots.

Hamilton was led by Luke Laidlaw, who scored the team's only goal. Laidlaw scored short handed 7:05 into the third period to make the score 1-1. Donovan Gardiner provided the assist.

Gahagen recorded 31 saves for the Jr. Sabres. Buffalo incurred 32 minutes in penalty time with six minors. For the Jr. Sabres, Shane Bennett was ejected from the game. The Red Wings' Paul Orlando stopped 26 shots out of the 29 that he faced. Hamilton incurred eight minutes in penalty time with four minors.

Murray, Burlington blank Milton, 2-0

Milton Memorial Arena     Sun, Feb 19, 2012

Alex Murray recorded a shutout against the Milton Icehawks as the Burlington Cougars picked up a 2-0 win.

Burlington was led by Jeremy Gottzmann, who tallied one goal. Gottzmann scored 8:14 into the second period to make the score 1-0 Burlington. Cooper Richards assisted on the tally.

The Cougars excelled on the penalty kill, not giving up a single goal in five chances. Burlington's defensive effort looked to be improved. The Cougars gives up two goals on average per game.

Burlington got a goal from Jack OHara as well. Other players who recorded assists for Burlington were Justin Scott and Joe Sullivan, who contributed one each.

The Icehawks were held below their usual level of production. Milton averages two goals per game. The Icehawks' offense efficiently hummed along to the tune of 34 shots put on Burlington's net.

Murray recorded 34 saves for the Cougars. Burlington incurred 12 minutes in penalty time with six minors. Milton's Denny Dubblestyne stopped 28 shots out of the 30 that he faced. The Icehawks incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors.

The Central Canada Tier 1 Junior A Hockey League (CCHL) is pleased to announce that the Corporate Hype Player of the Week is Deric Boudreau of the Ottawa Jr. Senators. The Junior Sens forward collected 7 points (2G, 5A) in their two wins over the Smiths Falls Bears and Kemptville 73’s. Boudreau’s performance was acknowledged as he was selected first star in both games. His line mates were also outstanding as both Conor Brown and Ben Robillard (last week’s Player of the Week) collected 8 and 7 points respectively.

The Central Canada Hockey League (CCHL) continues to have two teams featured in the Canadian Junior Hockey League Top 20 weekly rankings. The Nepean Raiders (44-8-4-1) stayed at # 7 while the Cornwall Colts (39-12-2-3) jumped two spots to remain # 17 in Canada.

Honorable Mention: F Trevor Packard (Pembroke Lumber Kings) and F Tylor Spink (Cornwall Colts)

• Finally made the connection...... the Ottawa 67s sniper Hunter Racine is the grandson of legendary Cornwall footballer, Moe "The Toe" Racine. Moe was feared and respected in EOSSA football in the mid 50s with the Cornwall St Lawrence Saints. He was a running back for coach Art Andersen. He graduated the year our South Grenville Giants entered the league so I never got to play against him personally. He had a great career with Ottawa in the CFL and is now in the Hall of Fame. There was another hockey player in Moe's family, his son Bruce played goal and had a tenure in the NHL with St Louis.
• Grandaughter Sammi and her North Toronto Hukies had a good weekend in their JUEL basketball tournament. The Huskies won all three games which were played in Ottawa. The Junior Elite League is the premier girls basketball league in Ontario.
• Still on the court and still in Ottawa, the University of Toronto Varsity Blues split their weekend games, loosing Friday night to undefeated and No 1 ranked Carleton Ravens but came back with a win on Saturday night over 2nd place Ottawa U Gee Gees. Alex was the top scorer for the Blues in both games. The Blues, with an interim coach and undermanned, had to employ the outside shooting Alex as the point guard.
• The win on Saturday pits the Blues against Laurention UIniversity of Sudbury in the first of the OUAA playoffs.. A win in Sudbury on Wednesday will have them back in Ottawa at Carleton on Saturday.
• The weekend wasn’t restricted to basketball (after last weekend’s swimming in Buffalo). I did get watch the final 3 games of the Cyclones season as they lost to the Ottawa 67s. Although Ottawa won 4 games to 1 it was very entertaining hockey and bodes well for the boys in their endeavours later this spring and next season. The 67s will now face the Ottawa Valley Titans in the league finals. The Titans are still ranked 10th in Ontario. Both teams will receive invitations to the OHL Cup tourney during the school break in March. The week after that the OHL will hold their Combine.

Carleton Place erases deficit to stun Cornwall, 3-2

Carleton Place Arena    Mon, Feb 20, 2012

The Carleton Place Canadians rallied from two goals down to secure a 3-2 win over the Cornwall Colts.

Carleton Place never led in the game until netting the game winner. The Canadians fell behind 2-0 after a goal by Cornwall's Tylor Spink at 40 seconds in the second period. Carleton Place knotted things up at 2-2 on a goal by Shayne Morrissey at 9:47 in the second period. The Canadians netted the game winner at 12:43 in the second period on a goal by Morrissey.

Carleton Place was led by Luc Deschamps, who tallied one goal.

Carleton Place got a goal from Brock Edwards as well. In addition, Carleton Place received assists from Mac Olson, who had two and Ben Murphy, Luke Martin, Jay Llewelyn, and Stephen Bayliss, who contributed one each.

The Colts forced the Canadians goalie Joe Yetman to work between the pipes, taking 33 shots.

More assists for Cornwall came via Stephen Johnson, Kyle Baun, Michael Borkowski, and Tyson Spink, who each chipped in one.

Yetman recorded 31 saves for Carleton Place. The Canadians incurred six minutes in penalty time with three minors. Cornwall's Lukas Hafner stopped 24 shots out of the 27 that he faced. The Colts incurred four minutes in penalty time with two minors.

Pembroke outlasts Kemptville, 3-2

North Grenville Municipal 1    Mon, Feb 20, 2012

Photograph by Sean Chase

In a game where neither team could get a cushion, the Pembroke Lumber Kings escaped with a 3-2 victory over the Kemptville 73s.

Neither team gained more than a one-goal lead, and Chris King's goal in the third period proved to be the difference maker.

Pembroke was paced by King, who racked up one goal. King scored 17:37 into the third period to make the score 3-2 Pembroke. Brendan Mcguire picked up the assist.

The Lumber Kings' offense efficiently hummed along to the tune of 37 shots put on Kemptville's net.

Justin Pelock also scored for Pembroke. Other players who recorded assists for Pembroke were Ben Dalpe, Patrice Wren, Tyler Gaudet, and Geoff Gallagher, who contributed one each.

The 73s were helped by Stevie Ray Adams, who finished with one goal. Adams scored 7:25 into the second period to make the score 1-1. Alex Bouchey provided the assist. Kemptville got a goal from Lucas Gonu as well. More assists for Kemptville came via Matt Rosebrook, Steven Genier, and Joey House, who each chipped in one.

Francis Dupuis made 18 saves for Pembroke on 20 shots. The Lumber Kings incurred four minutes in penalty time with two minors. Ryan Mulder turned away 34 pucks between the pipes for Kemptville. The 73s incurred four minutes in penalty time with two minors.

Cumberland's Walsh deadly on offense in 9-2 win against Gloucester

Earl Armstrong Arena    Mon, Feb 20, 2012

The Cumberland Grads relied on the scoring touch of Daniel Walsh, who netted four goals, to beat the Gloucester Rangers, 9-2.

Walsh's first goal came 19:02 into the first period. He then added goals at 6:59 into the second, at 15:26 into the second, and at 1:17 into the third.

Cumberland pulled out the victory even though it was hit with 19 penalty minutes.

The Grads made Rangers' goaltenders to work in net, ripping 46 shots and forcing 37 saves. Sebastian Gratton made 27 stops and Gunner Rivers made 10. Cumberland surpassed its usual scoring output this season. The Grads have scored at the pace of two goals per game during the current campaign.

Cumberland additionally got points from Marc Beckstead, who also racked up one goal and one assist and Jonathon Elliott, who also grabbed one goal and one assist. Dillon Harrington also scored for Cumberland. More assists for Cumberland came via Keegan Harper, Alex Carlson, Matt Allan, Travis Douglas, Eric Clitsome, Philippe Drouin, and Mark Golberg, who each chipped in one and Jeremy Nichols and Kale Wild, who contributed two each.

Gloucester kept Cumberland's goalie busy throughout the game, and Robin Billingham made 30 saves on 32 shots. The Rangers could not stay out of the penalty box, as the team accrued 20 minutes in penalties during the game. The leading offender was Chad Millett, who totaled six minutes in penalty time with three minors.

Other players who recorded assists for Gloucester were Michael McMurtry, Alexandre Boivin, and Jamie Molinski, who each chipped in one.

The Grads registered three goals on seven power play opportunities. For Cumberland, Drouin and Nick Martin were ejected from the contest. Gloucester registered one goal on seven power play opportunities.

They put up a very good battle, fought to the end, but in the final analysis were not a match for the Ottawa 67s.

For the most part, the semi final series between these two OEMHL AAA Minor Midget teams was an exciting string of games. But their seeding was on target and the 67s won the series 4 games to 1. We saw a lot of good hockey and watched perhaps the final game together for the Cyclone entourage. Next year we will see the likes of Eric Cornel, Andrew Abou-Assaly, hunter Racine and Pat White (the 67s) probably in the OHL, Another 16 – 20 players from the league will gain spots on teams in the CCHL. A few will join a Junior B team in the EOJBHL. The balance will move up to Major Midget. For the most part, these guys, who have played together for 5 or 6 years will now part ways and move on.

John Yablonski’s 67 were, in the end, just too much for the Cyclones. Even without their key D-man Pancel, the 67s were strong. The Cyclones received stellar goaltending from Jason Buma, until he was cut early in the game, and received as similiar effort from Jordan “Rogie” Vachon when he had to step into the game. Cyclones were without the services of the very versatile centreman, Connor Merkley, who was injured on Saturday night in game 4.

As the Cyclone team packs up their gear and head their separate ways, many are hoping to get to practice and perhaps dress, for the Jr A teams that drafted them last spring. Many have played 2 or 3 games with their respective teams and hope to get their 5 games in. Eric and Alex Row with Kemptville, Connor with the Bears and Owen, Brandon and Jarrod with the Braves.

The team still has an outside shot at an OHL Cup invitation. This will be followed by the OHL Combine which will take place a week later.

It’s been a ride!

And live to play another day. Well that day is today. Game 5 in this semi final series is this afternoon at the Ice House at Carleton University. Puck drop is scheduled for 3:30 PM.

Last night in Kemptville:

When Eric Veilleux was coaching the Hawkesbury Hawks they had two tell tale characteristics; they could win hockey games and they loved to fight. Eric turns 40 tomorrow. He had a couple of great years in the Q, including a 55G + 70A for 120 points in his last year. he then spent several years in the AHL, and for a “little” guy ( 5’7” and less than 150 lbs) he always seemed to accumulate more than 100 minutes in penalties.

This year’s Hawks, under the new tandem of Head Coach Shawn Anderson and GM Ian Henderson, are carrying on the tradition. After being mired at or near the bottom of the league the past few seasons, this new group has completed a full turn around. Despite last night’s loss to Carleton Place, the Hawks have made a very steady rise from the ashes and now have passed Pembroke, shaken the yoke of the Ottawa Jr Sens and look poised to maintain that fifth spot in the CCHL standings.

Look at the period 2 penalties from last night and need I say anymore about these Hawks and their physicality. Of course they lead the league in penalties and Holden Anderson, recognize that name?, leads the league individually in penalties.

It can be noted that Hawkesbury’s success has been at the expense of the team’s below them. I guess that is natural to expect of any team, any league, anywhere in the standings. The Hawks have not had much success against any of the top 4 teams except for Cornwall. They have split their games with Cornwall, 3 and 3.

Against Nepean they are winless ( 0-6 ) against Carleton Place they have one win in 6 tries and versus our Braves they have yet to win in 5 games.

I’ll bet they are anxious to face Cornwall Colts in the playoffs.