A lot of Red to go with the White and Blue.
On November 16th, the Garb and Gear Source for Sports Midget travelled south of the 49th parallel to learn that the rockets’ red glare was only eclipsed by the goal light, which continues to shine for your Highlanders.
After a brief stop at customs, which led to
the teams weapons of mass destruction being seized – a bag of ‘Florida’ oranges - the now vitamin
C defiant players found themselves granted entry into the United States of
America and off to the University of Michigan.
As a part of an NCAA college experience the
Midgets were taken to the Yost hockey facility where they met with the
university’s Manager of Hockey Operations.
The players were given an in depth tour of the arena, dressing room and
later the university’s campus, where they had the opportunity to briefly
experience campus life. After a quick
meal the team was back at the Yost center to watch a game which paired Michigan
State against Notre Dame. At the conclusion of the match, the team boarded the
bus and were off to Ohio where they bunked down for the night.
The next morning the players were whisked
off to the Bowling Green university campus.
This stop entailed meeting the assistant coach of the Bowling Green
University hockey team who spoke about the schools sporting programs and then
gave an insider tour of the rink and facilities.
After a lunch break the players were back
at the arena for a game against the Mississauga Reps who were ranked one spot
above your Midget Highlanders. As the
puck dropped in became apparent that the Mississauga team was out to make their
presence known with the physical play that often lands players in the penalty
box.
In the first period the opening goal was
scored by Brandon Eagles (Meaford) from Nick Bruce (Owen Sound). This was matched by Mississauga however it
was the only time they would find the Highlander mesh. With the score 1 – 1, still in
the first, Brandon Eagles scored again with assistance from Colin Rigney and
Brady Richards (Chesley).
In the second Quinten Bruce (Grand Valley)
from Braden Boley (Owen Sound) and Reid Simmons (Hepworth) from Braden Boley
and Quinten Bruce added two more. With
no scoring in the third and stellar play by Malcolm Young (Orangeville)in
net, the Garb and Gear Source for Sports Midgets walked away with a 4 – 1 win.
After a supper in downtown Bowling Green,
the boys made their way back to the university arena where they were treated to
a game between The Bowling Green Falcons and Ferris State.
The next morning the Highlanders were back on
the bus and off to Chelsea Michigan where they were scheduled to meet the Tier
1, U.S. under 18 Lansing Capitals at the Arctic Coliseum.
As soon as the opening whistle sounded, it
was clear that the Capitals were a well-oiled machine capable of playing high caliber
hockey. With back and forth play it took a bit of time in the first but eventually
Brandon Eagles (Meaford) assisted by Colin Rigney (Singhampton) scored to make
it 1 – 0. The scored held until the second when Brandon Eagles with help from Jamie
Bennett (Shelburne) got his second making it 2 – 0.
Still in the second
the Lansing Capitals found a way around the Highlander wall and put one it to
make it 2 – 1. With no points in the third, thanks in part to the goal tending
acrobatics displayed by Tibor Svitek (Guelph) the score held as a 2 -1 win for
the Garb and Gear Source for Sports Midget Highlanders.
At the conclusion of
the game the team thanked their hosts, boarded the bus and made their way back
to the land of maple syrup, Tim Horton`s and Poutine knowing they had made their
mark in the U. S. of A.