Nov 08, 2011 | Mark Langridge | 1458 views
Biermans Minor Bantams Take 3 of 4 Points on Weekend
Written by Tom Macham:
Game #1
A determined group of Highlander hockey players took to the ice in Chesley on Saturday past. Facing the Guelph Storm for the second time in 3 weeks, the boys knew that they had the ability to put 2 points on the board after a 3-3 tie with the Storm back on Oct.15th....
Hockey is a team sport but this particular game belonged to Beaver Valley’s Tristen Park. Playing in front of his grandparents for the first time this year, #10 was his usual abrasive self times about three levels - leading forays into the Guelph zone on numerous occasions. Dishing out bone jarring body checks, he was able to get under the skin of at least 3 Guelph players. The Storm seemed to be “off their game” and managed only 14 shots on Highlander goalie Tristan Lewis.
The first period saw no scoring but halfway through the 2nd Park led a rush down the left wing driving a hard shot off the Storm goalie’s chest. The rebound came to Brady Becker (Durham) who tried jamming it home. A pad-save by the goalie found the puck back on Park’s stick who had followed the play to the net. A “Savardian spin-o-rama” move (you have to be born in the 50’s to recognize this hockey phrase) saw the puck in the back of the Storm’s net. The goal stood as the game winner.
The third period saw the 98’s keeping the pressure on the opposition for the full 15 minutes. Some gritty play by Creemore’s Jake Wilson winning numerous battles for the puck in the corner and a defensive gem by #10 again, breaking up a 2 on 1 rush late in the game were the highlights of the period.
Game #2
The 14th game of the regular season saw the 98’s first tilt with the Brampton Battalion. Bigger and faster than last year, the Brampton squad featured 5 new skaters and one new tender and a .542 winning percentage.
A shaky start and the Highlander boys were in a hole early. Some bad bounces and a power play goal by Brampton saw the 98’s down 3-0 little more than 6 minutes in. However, never say never and with little time left on the clock in the first, Owen Sound’s Jordan Caskenette (#23) scored his first of four on the night to narrow the gap to 3-1 at the end of the first.
The second period saw the teams exchange goals. Brampton notching a power play marker @7:10 with Caskenette from Justin Donnelly (Walkerton) being the answer back. Tender Brendan Macham settled in with 3 or 4 point blank saves off Battalion forwards to hold the game close. The tide seemed to be turning and with no flood between the 2nd and 3rd, the Highlanders poured it on.
The Battalion goalie had been rocked earlier in the game in a collision with a Grey Bruce forward and still seemed a little woozy. His unsteadiness showed and the 98’s pounced on the opportunity and put 3 behind him before another collision put him out of the game. Logan Freiburger (Tara), with his first of the year from Caskenette and Donnelly, then Caskenette from Donnelly, and finally, Caskenette with his fourth of the game from Donnelly and Freiburger @8:48 of the third put the Highlanders in the lead. However with only 48 seconds on the clock, #37 for Brampton broke in on the right wing and snapped a shot off the crossbar and in to knot the score at 5.
A gutsy performance, to say the least, led by the play of #23 who is blessed with blazing acceleration and a shot a la Phil Kessel. Get ready to have a few shadows for the rest of the year Jordan. The coaching staff has a lot to be proud of; not giving up when down by 3 goals and out-shooting the opposition by a combined 42-31 over the weekend. These are all positive things to dwell on over the next few days. Keep up the hard work boys - it is paying off.
Biermans Bar & Grill is the proud sponsor of the Grey Bruce Highlanders Minor Bantam team and support local sports! You can find Biermans at 100 1st Avenue on the main street in Chesley ... You can join us for 60¢ wing Wednesdays or $6.00 burger Tuesdays! Biermans boasts a fun friendly family atmosphere with a touch of class! With live entertainment on weekends all year long and a large banquet facility upstairs with a capacity of 80+, there’s always excitement in the air at Biermans Bar and Grill. New menu, New Chef, New management!