Northwood Hockey League: My Site News
Monday, March 8What A Day
 |
 |
Congrats to the 2009-2010 Playoff Champions the All-Tech Systems HAWKS and the Best of the Rest Champs the Petrie's Cycle & Sports SHARKS
LTL Contracting FLYERS 1 vs. All-Tech System HAWKS 2
I was told in the morning by local sports historian Tom Petrie that the first hockey game was played in the Gardens fifty-nine years ago on March 6th. In the years since then I don't think any game played in the old barn could top the one that the Flyers and Hawks gave us. If you closed your eyes some time in the sixth period, yes the sixth period, you would have sworn it was the Thunderwolves playing a sudden death final and not the Northwood Hockey League.I started taking notes to help with the report but after two scoreless periods I gave up. There was just too much action and as I noted one play I missed the next. I decided to just watch and enjoy.The first period saw only four shots but they tested goalies Jonathon Whatley and Jaydan Delaqua. These two were outstanding through the entire afternoon and early evening. I overheard many parents after the game marveling at how they both played. I got the feeling that Jaydan had hurt himself in the second period but he soldiered on for another four periods. After the second period the shots were tied six each. The Hawks had a goal disallowed when the net was pushed out of position. The game remained scoreless after three periods, shots were nine to eight in favour of the Flyers.
Very few games go into overtime in our league. When they do each line gets one shift and then the game is sudden death. With thirteen seconds left in the third period, Nathan McKenzie was called for a hooking penalty on Richard Huston. Richard was trying to get a backhand shot away that could have ended the game. The penalty carried into overtime. With 6:06 left in the fourth period Joshua Zavitz finally broke the scoreless tie but didn't end the game as the Flyers third line still had their guaranteed overtime shift and Nathan was still in the box. At 4:16, just three seconds before Nathan was to be released, Richard Huston scored for the Flyers sending the game on into sudden death. The noise level in the Gardens continued to rise.
The fifth period was scoreless, wild and thrilling but scoreless. At some point a bank of lights in the north end of the rink went out. I looked over at the attendant, he had no idea why but added the old backup lights. I was fearing a power failure. After checking the clock we informed both coaches that we would only have time for one more period and then be faced with a shootout. I was going to announce that but didn't want to stress the goalies or parents any more. At 6:17 of the sixth period a first career goal was scored. Hawk second liner Aiden Johnup-Roach found himself in front of the net with Jaydan Delaqua sitting against one post. Aiden pulled the puck back and pushed it just enough to cross the goal line.
Referee In Chief Dave Wadson commented on my blog this morning. "In 15 plus years of reffing, that was probably the craziest and most exciting game I've done. Shame that one team had to lose for that to end." After looking over the old Best of the Rest trophy where my oldest son's first season is recorded as the first winner (1990-91), I can't remember any game in the twenty years that had as much drama. I've never seen a fifth period nevermind a sixth. I told some grand parents I ran into earlier in the day I like blowouts in one game finals. No one can complain about that single call that lost them the game, but I have to say despite the stress of it all it was an afternoon I'll never forget. Congratulations to the Hawks and the Flyers. Thanks for the best end to a season anyone could have dreamt. Shots on Goal Flyers 14 Hawks 14
Polish Legion BRUINS 1 vs. Petrie's Cycle & Sports SHARKS 3
Both teams were lined up in the hall outside the dressing rooms eager to get started as the Zamboni made its rounds. Both coaching staffs were looking very dapper wearing lucky ties. When the opening faceoff was dropped the nervousness could be seen in the play. No one wanted to make a mistake, no one wanted to take a chance. In the first period there were just 5 shots on net. Whenever a rush was made a defensive player was right there chasing or forcing the puckhandler wide. In the second period things began to open up. The teams began countering each other with offensive breaks. A breakaway in one end, a save and then an end to end rush the other way. Goalies Dylan Parsons and Erik Tapsay combined for fourteen saves through two periods.
Early in the third period the dam broke. At 9:44 Connor Holbrough fed Brock Tipple who rushed in and scored low to the blocker side giving the Sharks a lead. Fourteen seconds later Brock won a faceoff and Brayden Nordstrom picked up the puck and scored at 9:30. The Bruins answered at 5:21 as Jesse Toppozini went coast to coast and scored with a shot high on the stick side. On the same shift Jesse tried the same shot and hit the paddle of Dylan Parson's stick. Dylan lost the puck for a few seconds as Jesse tried to jam it in. Late in the third period the Sharks kept pressure on the Bruins preventing them from pulling Erik for the extra attacker. Matthew Johnson-Seniuk made a nice move at the blueline and scored an insurance goal high on the stick side with 1:28 left in the game. The Bruins got an extra skater out and had one scoring chance when Brendon Bukovy got a shot off aimed at the five hole but Dylan Parsons made the stop. A game that took a while to heat up ended up very exciting.
Shots on Goal Bruins 9 Sharks 15
 |
Sunday, November 1
H1N1 and Your Hockey Player
If your child is sick the best thing they can do for the team is to stay home. Yes the team needs them, but bringing your cold or flu to the dressing room may hurt the team next weekend if three more kids end up being sick.
We have supplied every player with a water bottle and have put their names on them. Make sure the name stays visible. It will be your responsibility to bring the bottle back and forth to the games and clean them. Filling it with water before you leave the house might be best. Please remind your player not to share his or her bottle with anyone and not to drink from any others. Please DO NOT leave the bottle in the equipment bag! If you forget the bottle at home, purchase a bottled water from the vending machines in the lobby. Coaches will not have extras.
One of our assistant coaches is a doctor and his advice is:
(1) get vaccinated
(2) don't return to hockey or other activities until feeling well, free of fever for 24 hours without medication and eating again.
We have collected a few articles to assist in dealing with H1N1 and these will be distributed to every family.
For more information:
Public Health Canada-Get the Facts on H1N1
Ontario Ministry of Health-This Year It's a Different Flu Season
|
|
Sharks and Leafs Prevail
|
 |
Saturday, February 7
Rangers Take Regular Season
The All-Tech Systems Rangers narrowly downed the Leafs 3-2 on the last day of the regular season and then had to sit back and pull for the Flames to knock off the Bruins. Going into the last game the Bruins held a one point lead in the standings and only needed a tie to take the Nestor Belbas Cup for the second season in a row. But the Flames played a stong game, got 2 goals in the second last shift and Eric Tapsay put up another shutout to hand the Rangers the hardware. Congrats Rangers!
 |
|
Christmas Skating Party
Monday, October 20
Game Reports
Ron's game reports now have their own page! Just click 'Game Reports' on the menu on the left. These reports are emailed along with other league news after every weekend of play. If you want to get the email just let Ron know at rkresack(at)gmail(dot)com
 |
|
Bruins Capture First Place
In the closest regular season standings ever, the Polish Legion Bruins grabbed the cup as Regular Season Champions for 2007-08.
 |
| 2007-08 Champs |
|
The Finals
|
 |
| Rangers Hoist the hardware |
 |
| Team Pride |
 |
| Bruins Grab the big cup |
|
Best of the Rest