The Final Showing, News, Atom, 2011-2012 (Grey-Bruce Highlanders AAA Minor Hockey Association)

This Team is part of the 2011-2012 season, which is not set as the current season.
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Mar 11, 2012 | pstewart | 2911 views
The Final Showing
Despite the early hour, the boys seemed rested and eager to go.  The kids came out strong in the first period of their very first SCTA qualifier against the Niagara Northstars.

The refs made it obvious that they were not putting up with anything but strict hockey play.  1St period ended at a 0-0 draw this was because the Highlanders banded together and played sound hockey, I was as happy as if I had just bought a new pair of Manolo Blahnik shoes. 

 

The 2nd period started off slightly challenged for one player in particular.  Mark Aljoe’s cage was hung up on our net and like a fish out of water he floundered around until one of the refs let him go free.  The Highlanders got on the scoreboard first with a goal by Tyson Lina who picked up Will Black’s rebound.  Penalty trouble for the Highlanders gave the Northstars plenty chances to capitalize.  This was the only period that the Northstars got the better of us, netting three goals to our one.

 

Matthew Donnelly faced many shots and the post and crossbar were just another piece of his equipment helping him out. Some issues with the water not freezing quick enough deep in the Highlanders defensive zone made it tricky for our D boys to get the puck out of our end.  Sam Bye stood 10 feet tall in the last 2 minutes and showed that the Highlanders were a force to be reckoned with.  However, it wasn’t enough and the Highlanders fell to the Northstars 4-1.  The stupid shoes are going back, RIGHT NOW!!!!!

 

After a healthy lunch and a new attitude, I decided that I should keep the Manolo Blahniks, fashion over function.  As well, chatting with Janice Bye makes me think I might be getting a coat that is just my colour.  Now back to hockey.  The Highlanders skated onto the ice confident, facing one of the top teams the Burlington Eagles.  You could hear the pride in our parent’s cheers.  The Eagles soared in from the face off finding the twine within the first 30 seconds.  We zigged and zagged for the next few shifts keeping them grounded.  At about the half way point of the 1st Mark Aljoe put one in the 5 hole to tie the game up at one a piece this was a rebound of Brandon Stewart’s shot.  No more than a minute later with a lot of commotion in front of our net, including two posts and several shots that Matthew Donnelly staves off the Eagles snuck one by.  Penalty troubles for the Highlander gave Burlington many chances but hard work from the boys kept the Eagles off the board. 

 

A little pep talk and we are on to the 2nd period.  With a bad bounce off our own player, a few minutes in the Eagles capitalized on the fact that Matthew Donnelly cannot save every shot, but he comes very close.  The Eagles tally up four goals that period taking a commanding lead.  

 

During the 3rd period with strong defensive play and a goalie that wouldn’t give up without a good fight the Highlanders, hold off the final Eagles attack.  Unfortunately, the Eagles 2nd period rally was too much for the Highlanders to overcome.  Just one more Speed Hump for the Highlanders season.

 

Article written by Pamela English