Dec 30, 2009 | msguigna | 1214 views
Snakebitten Superior Road Midgets Working Through Difficult Time
The Superior Road Midgets losing streak continues as they struggle to put the puck in the net, but spirits are steady.
After an embarrassing double digit loss on Dec 23rd to the Brampton Battalion, confidence was at an all time low for this group of players, but after some Christmas turkey and some soul searching they are back on the ice working hard to turn things around.
Participating in the Burlington Golden Horseshoe tournament Dec 27, 28 & 29th the boys faced the Markham Waxers, Buffalo Regals, Hamilton Bulldogs and the HC Khimik Voskresehsk squad from Russia.
A disappointing start to the tournament vs Markham netted the boys another big 7-1 loss. But they were able to regroup and put together a respectable game against Buffalo the next day. Although another loss, it was the first game in many that the team had kept the goals against to a mere 3. A small positive in another game where the team struggled to get on the scoreboard and were shutout again despite their many offensive chances.
In their final day of the tournament the first game was against rival Hamilton Bulldogs who the Highlanders have not been able to beat in their league matches. Again the Highlanders continued to improve on the momentum of the Buffalo game and finally managed to put the puck in the net twice and played a solid three periods of hockey. Another small positive despite a 5-2 final in favour of the Bulldogs.
The final game of the tournament was the first international match up for the players and coaching staff who were all excited to be playing against 'The Russians'. The Highlanders came out hard and scored first less than two minutes into the game. Throughout the game the Highlanders continued to school the Russian team in the physical Canadian style game of hockey, playing their best game of the tournament. Once again though their sticks failed them and despite playing a very hard respectable game against a talented opponent, the elusive 'W' remained out of reach. The Russians win 4-2.
The Midget Highlanders will continue their regular season in 2010 facing Oakville in Osprey on Saturday January 2nd, and will have their first match with Halton in Chesley on Sunday January 3rd.
Recent Game Results:
vs Brampton (13-2 loss)
Sguigna from Crawford & Newton
Thomson from Smith & Lowe (PP)
vs Markham Waxers (7-1 loss)
Oehm from Ackerland & Lindner
vs Buffalo Regals (3-0 loss)
vs Hamilton Bulldogs (5-2 loss)
Walsh from Tone & Sguigna x 2
vs Russians
Ackerland from Oehm
Smith from Crawford & Thomson
Happy New Year!