Jan 16, 2013 | jvanhaelemeesch | 1370 views
Stephens Equipment Grey Bruce Highlanders Minor Midget AAA Split Weekend Road Games
The end of the NHL lockout has certainly created a buzz around the hockey world as fans decide whether or not they are going to support the return of the favourite team to the ice. The real question for the GBH Minor Midget’s was not who would be the favourite to win the Stanley Cup in the shortened NHL season but rather could they finally out-dual the Welland Southern Tier Admirals in their final meeting of the regular season after going 0-2-1 thus far.
A week earlier the visiting Admirals beat Grey Bruce on their home ice and this was going to be the Highlanders final chance to redeem themselves but this time they would have to do it in Welland’s barn.
Unfortunately,
the GBH’s did not have their best start and goaltender Tyler Fassl was called
upon early to make some key saves including a couple of clear cut breakaways to
keep the game scoreless through the first half of the game. Although they were not having a stellar
outing it almost seemed that if the Highlanders could somehow get the first
goal it would be all they would need to win.
As bad luck would have it, it was the Admirals that got on the
scoreboard first at the 7:14 mark of the second period. They would add 2 more early in the third
before the Highlanders finally reacted.
It was not until the 8:26 point of the third before Spencer Elder
finally broke the Southern Tier shutout when he converted a centering pass from
Caleb Stephens after he and Jordan Vanhaelemeesch showed some grit and hard
work behind the Welland goal. The
Highlanders pressed and even had a late power play opportunity but could not close
the gap any further losing 3-1.
The following day the Highlanders travelled to Guelph to play the Storm. The Storm have been playing some good hockey
of late with an excellent showing in the Toronto Marlies Holiday Classic and
going undefeated in 2013. Grey Bruce,
coming off a disappointing game against the Admirals the previous day, wanted
to have a good start and were determined not to let up.
GBH got on the score sheet 20 seconds into the game when Jamison Buck’s deflected point shot found the back of the net.
Ben Van Ooteghem and Ethan Skinner drew the assists. Guelph battled hard to tie things up before
the second period break and sent the teams to their respective dressing rooms
with a 1-1 tie. The Highlanders came
out determined to take control of the third and scored early and not letting up,
scored once more before the game was over to claim the 3-1 win. Trevor Nevidomskis was credited with the
winning goal and Brady Anderson the insurance.
Elder and Vanhaelemeesch drew assists.
The
Highlanders will be participating in the Peterborough Tournament of Champions
the weekend of January 18 – 20 followed by the SCTA Showcase in St. Catharines
the weekend of January 26-27 before returning home to face the Niagara Rivermen
in a double-header on February 2.
Article
written by Dave Van Ooteghem