Almaguin Minor Hockey

by Debbie Rogers

Jan 09, 2008

The second part of the season is off to a great start with lots of red hot action at the rinks as rep teams finish off with league play and get ready for playdowns to round out the 2008 season.

Novice: The Ice Devils enjoyed lots of hockey action over the holidays.

The first game was against Port Carling and ended in a 3-2 loss, but it was evident that the Devils stepped up their game in 2008. This game saw a beautiful top shelf goal by Cole Earl, assisted by Bryce King and Kandice Butson. Almaguin’s second goal was netted by Connor Eastaugh, assisted by Braden May and Cody Smith. Owen Johnstone kept the Devils in the game with his strong goaltending.

The team then competed in their first tournament of the season in Port Carling and won the C Division championship title against the Bracebridge Bears. The Devils lost the first game to Essa, but this loss did not reflect their effort on the ice. Sam Pauley, with a goal and an assist, was awarded MVP of the first game. Jerri Arsenault also had a strong game, playing positional hockey with her stick on the ice to receive Sam’s pass putting the puck over the goal line. On the second goal Sam netted the puck, receiving a pass from Bryce King who brought the puck down the ice with help from Mitchell Grant. Connor Eastaugh worked hard to score the third and final goal of the game for the Devils, assisted by Cody Smith and Faith Forsayeth.

The second game of the day was against Port Carling. Looking for a win, the Devils played a great game with a 4-3 final in the Thunder’s favour. Bryce King scored early on a pass from Sam Pauley and Mitchell Grant. Connor Eastaugh scored, assisted by Cody Smith, and Faith Forsayeth scored with a beautiful point shot from Braden May. Faith Forsayeth took home MVP of this game.

Two losses did not deter the Devils and they went into the C Division with a win on their minds, not to mention their sticks. This game ended in a 5-0 win for the Devils and a trophy for their shelf. Goals were scored by Sam Pauley, assisted by Tyler Smith and Jerri Arsenault, while Connor Eastaugh put two goals up on the board, assisted by Mitchell Grant and Cody Smith and Faith Forsayeth on his second goal. Andy Coleman, after showing his determination, scored with a pass from Rachel Kreps and Cole Earl gave the Devils their fifth goal with an assist going to Bryce King. MVP of the final game was awarded to Bryce King.

A strong effort was put forth by all the players, well done team!

Atom: On Jan. 5 the Ice Devils hosted the Gravenhurst Flames in a very exciting and emotion-filled game. The Ice Devils got on board first with a wrist shot top corner by Brett Joiner. Playing his best game as an Atom Ice Devil, he was strong at both ends of the rink, assisted by Tyler Young. Gravenhurst answered back to end the first one-all. Gravenhurst carried some of the momentum of their late period goal into the second period and scored two early goals. The Devils responded with a goal of their own, scored by Dryden Sollman, assisted by Thomas Smith. Jakob Pauley made key saves throughout the second period to keep the game within reach. However, early in the third period Gravenhurst scored and although both teams exchanged scoring opportunities throughout the remainder of the third the score remained Gravenhurst 4 – Atom Ice Devils 2.

On Jan. 6 the Devils hosted the Port Carling Thunder at home in Sundridge. This game saw the Ice Devils get on the board first with a goal by Thomas Smith, assisted by Mitchell Sissing. Although the Ice Devils carried the play to Port Carling for most of the game they could not beat the Thunder’s net-minder Nathan Antonidies. The Ice Devils gave up a late goal to have this game end in a 1-1 tie. Brett Joiner played another strong game at both ends and deserves honourable mention for a game well played.

Next weekend, Jan. 12 and 13, is the last week of the regular season for the Atoms Rep Ice Devils, with a home series with Gravenhurst.

Last home game of the regular season is Jan. 12 at 4 p.m. in South River.

Peewee: The Peewee rep team played a couple of games against Bracebridge during the holidays, playing the Bracebridge ‘B’ team who went up a quick goal early in the game. John Mark Penman scored for the Ice Devils, assisted by Connor Lawes and Britt Whitehead, to tie it up. Ralphie Burton scored assisted by Whitehead and Bryan Austin to go up 2-1. Before the end of the first Russell Cogan scored for Almaguin with assists going to Ralphie Burton and Bryan Austin. It was Almaguin 3, Bracebridge 1 after the first period. In the second Almaguin scored four more goals before Bracebridge scored their second of the game. Ralphie Burton, Britt Whitehead and Brady Anger (2). Assists went to Chad Whitney, Matt Chapman, Connor Lawes. Assists went to Chad Whitney and Matt Chapman.

The next game was against Bracebridge ‘A’ in Bracebridge. The home team scored two goals in the first before Connor Lawes scored for Almaguin with assists going to Britt Whitehead and Brady Anger. In the second period Bracebridge scored five unanswered goals while keeping Almaguin off the scoreboard. In the third period Bracebridge scored two more before Connor Lawes scored the Ice Devils second goal. Assists went to John Mark Penman and Britt Whitehead. The game ended 9- 2 for Bracebridge.

Midget: The Midgets played back-to-back games against Port Carling. On Friday, Dec. 21 the midgets travelled to Port Carling for their last league game of 2007.

It was a fast paced game with lots of action as the Ice Devils took it to the home team, moving the puck well and making some very good plays that generated good offence. Darren Stack put away Almaguin’s first goal on a nice passing play by Brody Brimacombe and Eric Langford. Almaguin’s second goal was made possible with some good team work on a play set in motion by Jon Dunn assisted by Jason Chapman and netted by Scott Hubbert. Port Carling was unable to get anything by net minder Shea Cooper as he stoned Port, making some very impressive saves and shut down the usually high scoring team. Almaguin continued to dominate the scoreboard and it was Cole Baker who passed a beauty over to Madision Scott who found the mark. Zach Attwell made a text- book play over to Corey Rogers who was in the right spot to blast one by the Port Carling goalie and Almaguin was ahead 4-0. Corey Rogers moved the puck up ice passing over to Calvin Jeffery who found Zach Attwell open and in perfect scoring position and it was a 5-0 game. Port Carling was unable to get the puck past Shea Cooper and he earned his first shut-out with the team.

In Sundridge on Jan. 4 the Ice Devils played host to Port and set the tone early, netting the first goal on a great pass that Greg Arnold gave over to Eric Langford who made sure that it found the mark. Shea Cooper was between the pipes for Almaguin and was called on to come up with the big saves and did not disappoint. A good home town crowd was treated to some great hockey as the team rallied together passing well, mucking in the corners, taking and giving hits and creating some great scoring opportunities. Cole Baker initiated a play that turned the puck over to Corey Rogers who passed the puck to Zach Attwell who put it away far side top corner and it was a 2-0 game for Almaguin. Corey Rogers netted the third goal unassisted and Jason Chapman put in a nice back hand shot assisted by Brody Brimacombe and Jon Dunn. Almaguin continued to dominate offensively and went ahead 5-0 on a goal by Calvin Jeffery assisted by Zach Attwell and Corey Rogers. Shea Cooper made some terrific glove saves and was sharp in net. Brody Brimacombe made a nice move to get the puck down low to Zach Attwell who cycled the puck over to Corey Rogers who made a nice move on Ports defence to get an opportunity in the slot sniping the final goal of the night in the top right corner. Almaguin would end the game with a 6-0 win and Shea earned another well-deserved shut out.

There is lots of great hockey happening in Almaguin come out to the local rinks and catch some of the action.