Minor Hockey: Exciting week for rep teams as OMHA and MPS playdowns continue

by Debbie Rogers

Feb 20, 2008

It was an amazing week of nail-biting, hard-hitting playoff hockey in Almaguin as rep teams continued in the OMHA and MPS playdowns. The tykes enjoyed a fun filled day of tournament hockey in South River and the house league teams continue with league play.

Tyke: The Almaguin Ice Devils hosted their annual tyke tournament on Feb. 16 with a total of six teams participating.

In the first game of the day the Almaguin Ice Devils took on the East Nipissing Vipers in a highly entertaining game that came down to the final few minutes. In the end, the Vipers squeaked out a win by a score of 5-3. Goal scorers for the Devils were Cole Galekovic, Tyler Miller, and Dustin Moore. Sharing duties in the net and playing valiantly to keep their team in the game were Kane Percival and Garrett Hildebrandt.

The Ice Devils’ second game had them matched up against the Parry Sound Shamrocks. Once again, in possibly the most exciting game of the day, the outcome was very close. After regulation time, the game was tied 1-1 with Cole Galekovic again finding the mark. After five minutes of overtime and a skater being removed each minute, the game remained tied. It was off to the highly anticipated shootout. After five shooters per team, Almaguin came out victorious by an overall score of 4-3. Scoring in the shootout for Almaguin were Cole Galekovic, Ashley Ferrante and Nick Coleman. Keeping the Shamrocks frustrated with their steady net-minding skills were Tyler Miller and Lucas West.

The Lake Bernard Cup was to be decided in a match between Almaguin and Port Carling. This game was also very close and highly entertaining. With two minutes remaining, the match was tied 5-5. Port Carling dug deep and potted two late goals to take the title. Scoring for Almaguin were Cole Galekovic with two. Singles came from Dragon St. Onge, Ashley Ferrante, and Kane Percival. It was an extremely fun and successful day for all. The Almaguin Ice Devils would like to thank everyone who donated prizes and volunteered their time to make this day so much fun.

Novice: The Novice team began their series against Meaford this weekend in Sundridge on Sunday evening. The team worked hard and showed the fans an impressive team effort, with every player showing up to play. Meaford took the first game but left Almaguin with the knowledge and belief that they have the ability to come back and take the second game next Saturday in Meaford when they board the bus for the four hour trip.

In game one, the score did not reflect Owen Johnstone’s strong showing in net and offensively, Sam Pauley, Connor Eastaugh and Cole Earl put the Meene strong showing in net and offensively, Sam Pauley, Connor Eastaugh, and Cole Earl put the Meaford goalie to the test. The whole team worked hard and proved that the playdowns have just begun. The next home game for this young squad is Saturday, March 1 in Sundridge at 12:30 p.m.

Atom: The Ice Devils played game one of their series in Warkworth, giving Omeemee home ice advantage. The Devils scored first with a goal netted by Dryden Sollman, assisted by Tyler Young. Omeemee battled back and evened out the score early in the second period. Halfway through the second, the home team pulled ahead with their second of the game. Both teams exchanged scoring chances for the remainder of the period and Keaton Parker made a couple of key saves to keep the game within reach. The Ice Devils ran into penalty trouble in the third, giving up a goal and putting Omeemee ahead with a solid 3-1 lead. Although the Ice Devils battled to the end, the score remained 3-1.

Game two was played on home ice and the Ice two was played on home ice and the Ice Devils scored in the first period, with a goal by Dryden Sollman, assisted by Thomas Smith and Tyler Young. This was another very evenly matched contest. Omeemee was awarded a penalty shot, seeing this as an opportunity to grab the lead. The visitors came up short though, thanks to the Devils goalie Jakob Pauley who stood his ground and stoned the lone shooter. Both teams had several good scoring chances, but both goalies were on their game. Early in the third period Omeemee scored two quick goals and attempted to put the game away, but the Ice Devils continued to battle and wouldn’t let the game get out of reach. Simon Holenski scored, assisted by Rylan Anger late in the third period. This inspired the Devils, who continued to battle. With a minute left in the game, the coaching staff pulled their goalie for the extra attacker. The Devils had Omeemee hemmed into their own end and managed to tie the score with 11 seconds left on the clock. Scoring the tying goal was Dryden Sollman, assisted by Brett Joiner and Tyler Young. The game went into overtime and there were good scoring opportunities at both ends, but the goalies held their ground. With 3:38 remaining in overtime, Simon Holenski ended it with his second of the day, assisted by Dillon Flynn. There were many key plays by several Ice Devil players, but the key to this well-deserved victory was found in not giving up nor quitting and battling to the end. Nicely done boys.

Peewee: There were no stats available at press time.

Bantam: The Ice Devil Bantams advanced in the MPS playdowns by defeating Parry Sound in a 5 - 2 victory Saturday night in Parry Sound. Parry Sound opened the scoring just 34 seconds into play but Justin Simser tied the game with his first of two goals, assisted by Stephen Opatovsky. The Devils went up 2 to 1 with David Henderson scoring right off the faceoff. Henderson scored the third Devils goal, splitting the defence with some nifty stick handling. In a penalty-filled game that saw 108 minutes in penalties assessed, including several misconducts, the Devils went into the second period break with a 3 to 1 lead. In the third Henderson and Simser continued their offensive prowess with Justin scoring on a slap shot set on a pass from Henderson. Henderson would complete his hat trick late in the period after coming back from a hit from behind and finding the top right corner on a hard wrist shot with an assist going to Thomas Stevens. The Ice Devils dominated the game out-shooting their opponents 43 to 16.

Playdowns continue for the Bantams as they await dates with Gravenhurst.
Midget: The Midget rep team played their fist game of the OMHA quarter-finals in Beaverton on Thursday, Feb. 14. Beaverton brought a very physical game to Almaguin but it was the Ice Devils on board first, thanks to a booming slap shot from the blue line by Brody Brimacombe, assist to Zach Attwell. Brody scored the second goal with help from Corey Rogers and Greg Arnold and the Ice Devils were up 2-0 going into the second. Beaverton was not going down easy and scored two second period goals to tie the game going into the third. The first few minutes of the third saw Almaguin short handed and the Ice Devils did a nice job containing the home team. Shea Cooper played a strong game in net giving the Devils a chance to go ahead. Brody Brimacombe took off with a pass he received from Eric Langford and made no mistake earning a hat trick on the play and the winning goal in a close 3-2 match.

It was a brutal drive back after the late night game but the team’s spirits were lifted with game one under their belts and the next game slated for home ice.

The second game was played in Sundridge on Sunday, Feb. 17 and despite some more nasty weather the fans made their way to the arena to fill the stands and cheer on the boys. Shea Cooper was outstanding in net and Almaguin came together with some great passing, teamwork and a great effort netting the first goal of the game when Zach Attwell put one away assisted by Corey Rogers, and Greg Arnold. Everyone stepped up their game and the team continued to take it to Beaverton scoring four unanswered goals in the second period. Darren Stack, Corey Rogers, Zach Attwell and Eric Langford all found the back of the net; assists went to Brody Brimacombe (2), Greg Arnold (2), and Zach Attwell. Shea Cooper earned the shut out in a 5-0 game.

The following day in South River Almaguin came to the rink up two games in the series. Beaverton had everything on the line and came to play some serious hockey. The Ice Devils were on the board first when Zach Attwell notched a nice goal assisted by Calvin Jeffery. Beaverton answered right back, sneaking one in between the post on the short side. Almaguin made it 2-1 when Jason Chapman scored unassisted as he dumped the puck into the Beaverton zone and it found its way into the net. Beaverton answered right back and scored a nice goal top shelf to tie the game. There was a slight delay in the game when one of the refs was injured on a play with a high stick to the face. When play resumed Almaguin seemed to scramble and Beaverton kept the pressure on hoping to get the go-ahead goal and force a fourth game. Beaverton had a 5 on 3 advantage and made the most of the opportunity as they put away another one to go ahead 3-2. Almaguin pulled their goalie in the dying minutes of the game in an attempt to tie the game but came up just short as they ran out of time. When the final buzzer went Beaverton had taken the game 3-2.

The team now must focus on game four as they travel to Beaverton on Saturday with hopes of finishing off the series and coming home with a win.