It was the morning of
February 19, 2011. It was Saturday, but
not just another game day for the Grey Bruce Waste Management Minor
Peewees. Mother Nature had not yet
released her steely grip and the winds were howling across the Highlands.
The weather was not fit for man nor beast and most of the two legged types with an ounce of common sense were making plans to stay close to home and off the road. But Highlander folk are a tough breed with nerves forged from solid iron..........and most have brains made out of the same material. So they fed their Peewees a couple pounds of two-penny nails for breakfast, loaded up their Ipods, Ipads, Blackberries, Dashboard Bitches and those Bluetooth things. After all, it was game day in St. Catharines so they lashed their loved ones to the mast, turned their sheets to the wind and headed into the storm a few hours earlier than they had planned for at the speed of a herd of turtles. This reporter stayed at home. What?...you think I’m out of my alleged mind?
And they all arrived on time as usual in St. Catharines to meet the Falcons for a season ending double header. Now, since I was on the disabled list for these games I have to rely on the notes and scribbles of a certain lug nut who claims to have done his best.
The puck was dropped in game #1 and both teams played very well. There was no scoring in the First Period and both teams had great scoring chances but the goaltenders denied all opportunities. The first half of the Second stanza was controlled by the Falcons for the first half but the Highlanders picked up the pace and would not back down. We had great chances to score in this period but just couldn’t hit the net. St. Catharines did slide one through with about 8:13 to go on a power play effort and they took the lead going to the Third Period. The Falcons would add another with 2:51 remaining in the game and the Highlanders could not respond.
We were shut out 2-0 in this contest but by all accounts the Waste Management Minor Peewees were solid in their efforts this afternoon. Now, this is where the note taker gets me confused. He claims that Jack Armstrong “stood on his head”. I’ve seen a lot of hockey games in my life but I have never seen a goalie stand on his head. In fact I have never seen one try to do that. His helmet is usually rounded at the top and the rest of his equipment is not conducive to performing such a feat. Especially in the middle of a fast paced hockey game. So, shame on you Jack for even attempting to stand on your head when the rest of your teammates are trying their very best to win this thing. I guess we’re going to have to have a little talk about “focus”. To make it even worse, the “powers that be” decided to give Jack Armstrong the coveted www.hockeyshot.ca player of the game award for horseplay........where have we come?
It was Saturday evening and time for the last regular season game for the Waste Management Minor Peewees. This was game #36 on the SCTA schedule for these guys and they have become a fine competitive unit. They really wanted to finish the year with a victory.
This game was a hard fought contest and each and every Highlander showed up for this one. The boys spent a little too much time in the penalty box. One of our key guys was tossed early in the contest and apparently the Waste Management Minor Peewees never seemed to get the benefit of the doubt throughout the contest and played a whole lot of it shorthanded. And that’s a shame because every player on this team deserved better than that on this day and it wasn’t due to lack of effort that we came out on the short end of a 5-2 score. Tyson Wilkins popped in a goal in the Second Period and last goal of the Regular Season was well earned by Noah Johnson at the close of the contest.
Now, the “Cub Reporter” I sent to cover this matchup did not earn his keep on this day. He will be terminated. The notes were sketchy at best, but he sure was emotional on his return. Apparently he was not pleased with the adjudicators of this contest. He didn’t even tell me who got the assists on this day but I do know that every single Highlander represented the Organization well so I’m giving each and every one of them an assist this afternoon. Danny Skinner was awarded the www.hockeyshot.ca player of the game award for his individual performance. Well earned, Danny.
At the beginning of this year most of these guys had never met each other before. Only some have played together on the same ice surface with different coloured uniforms. They became great buddies this winter and lasting friendships have been created. They have become a fine, competitive hockey team and pretty darn proud of them. They finished the season with 10 points and could have easily been more with a bounce here and there. That’s a pretty darn good year folks for a first year AAA Highlander hockey team and I know that 3-29-4 doesn’t sound like the prettiest girl in the room but “she’s sure looking good to me”.
But we still have another kick at the can at the SCTA Tournament when we return to St. Catharines on March 4th. Yup, we’re going to be the underdog but you can bet your life that these guys will not finish this year with a whimper. They are a fine bunch of boys and proud to play for the Grey Bruce Highlanders.