It was February 12 in
Chesley. As a matter of fact I believe
it was February 12 in most places nearby....coincidence.....I think not.
It was one of those windblown days when most people of sane mind were thinkin of curlin up with a good book. But Highlander parents are not particularly known for having a firm grip on sanity and before the Weather Network put out the message to stay off the roads, we were already layered up and on them nasty country tracks. After all, there were whiteouts to manoeuvre, snowdrifts to crush and horse drawn carriages to dodge. It’s all part of the deal when you sign on with the Grey Bruce Highlanders. Such was not the case for the Brampton Battalion who travelled on the DHO First Choice Roads in their mega tonne Troop Carrier. It takes some of us a while to get to those roads but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
The Brampton boys are always tough to beat but the Waste Management Minor Peewees came to play and the puck was dropped. Both teams actually seemed to be a bit sluggish at times and nobody appeared to want to take charge. Both teams had chances to score and the Highlanders were holding their own against the more experience squad. Then somebody from Brampton announced that there was a new Sheriff in town and he made a great toe drag and blasted one by Ryan Winter to open the scoring with about 4:30 to play in the First. That little sniper would get another 2 or 3 before the day was over. At any rate, the First Period ended and we were behind in the count 1-0.
The Highlanders started Page Two with renewed energy and were toe to toe with the favoured Battalion. Scotty Chisholm rings one off the iron. Quinton Maddock throws his weight around and there are good decisions being made out there. Then, with 5:34 remaining, Jakob Lee and Troy Weber get together and feed one to Noah Johnson. Now you gotta know that this guy is a good old fashioned Durham farm boy that doesn’t “call” the cows home.........he “carries” them, and he wasted no time pitchin that pass to the hayloft. We were tied at 1 goal apiece. Now, apparently it’s not a good idea to play shorthanded against Brampton. With 3:17 remaining, they score a power play goal to take the lead back. Then, Troy Weber finds a loose puck and gets it up to Captain Jake who just plain outhustled their defenseman through the neutral zone and bangs in the equalizer. Brampton would get another power play goal with 1:55 left and the Period ended 3-2 for Brampton and they were clearly beginning to take charge.
Between Periods, Coach Tom was sensing a dreaded swing and reminded the boys of the fundamentals of hockey. He said “I should never have to repeat myself”.......He says that about 30 times a day. He asked the Highlanders for Janis Joplin and got Perry Como singin “Give me that old soft shoe and nothing else will do....a doo a doo a diddely, diddely doo”. That’s not yer best hockey game tune but I think I just heard some you old folks out there hummin along. At any rate, the Highlanders took a wee nap and the Battalion scored 5 unanswered tallies to finish us off. The final score was a disappointing 8-2 loss. Danny Skinner was a bright light this day on defence and he earned the www.hockeyshot.ca player of the game award. It’s only fair to say that the Brampton Battalion played three strong Periods to our two and are full value for the win.
But the gang went home, rested up and returned on Sunday to the Markdale barn to meet the Guelph Storm for the fourth time this year. And this was a fine hockey game. The Highlanders controlled this game from the jump. Jack Armstrong was between the pipes and he was steady throughout the contest.
In the First Period the boys outskated, outshot and outplayed the Storm but it was Guelph who took advantage of a neutral zone turnover and scored the opener with 4:48 remaining. The Waste Management boys were feeling a bit snake bit but kept up the pressure. Then Quinton Maddock banged in a shot from the point; the always reliable Eric Charlebois got control of it; fired a good shot and Scotty Chisholm slammed in the rebound. It was a 1-1 tie going to the Second and the Highlanders were in the driver’s seat. The game became more physical in the Second Period. The boys were still playing tough and everybody was sharing the load. Guelph got a power play goal about half way through that period as a shot from the high slot deflected off one of guy’s stick and found the twine. That was just one of those things where you put the puck to the net and good things might happen. Jack Armstrong had no chance. The Second Period was over and the Guelph Storm was leading 2-1.
This was an exciting matchup and it’s fair to say that both teams were giving their best effort. The Highlanders were still smartin from their Third Period collapse from the day before and this time they came out flyin like an Eagle’s a## in a tailspin. Jakob Lee got us on the board, just 15 seconds in, from Troy Weber and Noah Johnson. The game was tied 2-2. Both teams were still going strong but the Highlanders had the momentum. That’s when the game saw some of those no-calls and phantom calls, mostly to our detriment. And that was too bad. There was no more scoring in this game that finished in a 2-2 tie.
But that gave us another point and we will finish the regular season in double digits. We’re pretty proud of that. Every player on this team deserves a pat on the back for his effort today. Noah Johnson was our www.hockeyshot.ca player of the game.
On a side note, the waste Management Minor Peewees have learned a lot of lessons throughout the season and none more important than that just gleaned by one of my favourite nomads, Studly Wilkins from parts unknown. Now, Studly is a bit of a “romantic” and since it was just one day before Valentine’s Day, he invited his brand new girlfriend to watch him perform. Now, Studly had the puck and was bearing down on a rather large defenseman in the Third Period. Instead of keeping his feet moving, he elected to start gliding, stood up tall and waved to his girlfriend in the 14th row. Probably not yer best decision Studly........ Get well soon. What was the lesson on this particular day? Stay away from the girls......ruin of many a fine hockey player.
Hey, that was our last Home game of the year but we still two left to play in St. Catharines next Saturday and I’ll be there for those ones.
Happy Valentine’s Day everyone. And guys, get your special girl some flowers or sumthin. Not roses; too expensive. There’s a good deal at Mac’s Milk $2.99 a dozen, attractive mix....works for me. Let me know how that works out for you.
See ya next week.
Grandpa