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4 - Orono Weekly Times, Wednesday, March 11, 1998 Bantams bow to Po By Art Reid This past weekend was a busy one for Orono's Family Auto bantams. It started out on a high note when the team rolled into Port Carling Friday night and skated to a 4-3 victo- ry and a 2 games to 1 lead in the the series. Unfortunately, home ice advantage and and enthusiastic, full house on Saturday evening, wasn't enough for Orono to eliminate their opposition. Port Carling played a strong game and tied the series at two with a 3-1 win. This forced a fifth and deciding game back at Port Carling on Sunday and despite a valiant effort, the bantams were unable to capitalize on the few weaknesses of their hosts and fate dealt them a 4-3 loss. The bantams chartered a bus to Port Carling on Friday night and I'm sure it played a part in their getting off to the best start they've had in the series. This was only the first period that Orono hadn't domi- nated and it concluded with our boys grabbing a 1-0 lead. Orono marksman was Craig McManus assisted by Reid. Orono continued to battle in the second frame and with a lit- tle luck jumped oui to a 4-1 lead. Scoring in the second were: Andrew Beacock, assist- ed by Witheridge, Bob Witheridge, unassisted and Bob again assisted by Reid. Port Carling battled back hard in the third to score two unanswered goals but not enough to force a third over-time game. Orono goaltender Scott Poole claimed the 4-3 win, despite being out chanced 23-17. Back to Orono! The tension was thick in Orono on Saturday evening. The bells, whistles and sirens were all out in anticipation of a home team victory. The teams skated to a a scoreless first period, but Orono faced 13 shots while dispensing only 2 on the opposition goalie. The second period play was more evenly distributed but, it was Port Carling claiming the lone tally in this frame. Both teams battled in the third and the crow went wild when Bob Witheridge tied the score mid way through the period. Assisting on the play was Leddy and Parry. Orono con- tinued to pressure their opposi- tion but late in the period Port Carling slipped in a goal and then replied with yet another to steal the match and tie the series at two games each. Chris Burritt, despite a fine effort in the Orono goal was tagged with the loss in this match. Our worst fear had come true, yet another trip north. Fortunately, manager Brian Poole did some quick leg work and arranged yet another char- ter for game five. Orono's Jon Whitehead was out of the line- up this match nursing a back injury. At this point many play- ers, on both teams, were feel- ing their wounds as the effects of three playoff games in a weekend started to sink in. Both teams seemed confident before the game started but, Orono got off to a very slow start and the result of Il shots to zero, led to a 2-0 home team lead. Orono showed a little more spunk in the second frame, especially when Greg Shetler scored at the midway point to finally get us on the scoreboard. Assisting on the play was captain Parry and Witheridge. The momentum was short lived however, as Port Carling quickly replied with two more goals. Greg Bester brought us close again with his powerplay goal late in the second, assisted by Parry and Witheridge. It wasn't a good sign when Adam Tollett was unable to join his mates in the final period due to a broken skate blade. Both teams battled hard through the third and Greg Shetler gave us a faint hope when he scored his sec- ond goal late in the period, assisted by Witheridge and Robinson. A goal to tie the The Russ Major Plumbing OMHA Novices participating in a ten game round robin tour- nament how now earned 5 out of a possible 6 points and are lookin' good! March 6 saw the 'plumbers' playing host to Cannington. Orono was razor sharp skating to a 6-0 win led by fearless net- minder Shane Winters--rumour has it this was Winters' 15th shutout! Quite a feat! Scoring the first goal for 'Major' Plumbing Darcy Mitchell assisted by Mad Dog Beenen and Adam Wood. Mad Dog came right back to score the second with Mitchell and Brandon Ernst picking up the assist. Ernst was in the spot- light scoring the third--Cam Delorme and Daniel Reilly were the setup men. Daniel Maclsaac scored the fourth assisted by Ernst and Matt Moffat. The fifth goal and his second of the game belonged to Beenen with Sarah Donnelly and Ryan Knox earning the assists.Josh Flynn rounded out the scoring assisted by Andrew Fotherill and Matt Bester. March 9th, Orono is on the road with a game in Ops then back home for a 7 o'clock encounter with Millbrook on March 13. rt Carling game however, just wasn't to be, and Orono honourably had to bow to defeat. Chris Burritt was strapped with the loss but could hardly be blamed with Orono out shot 29-7. The boys were a class act as they congratulated Port Carling on the win. The coaching staff of John Whitehead, John Witheridge, Ray Bester and Brian Poole all have to be con- gratulated for their dedication to the team and their ability to get the most out of our the boys. As parents and fans we were treated to some fine hock- ey and we are all proud of the effort we saw displayed. Special thanks to the Orono Weekly Times and sports editor Rosey Bateman for the print you have provided the team through the season. Thanks also to Goliger's Travel Coach Lines for the super service pro- vided in transporting the team to Port Carling "twice". Although they may not see this, we thank the Country Style Donuts on Hwy #11 near Bracebridge and the MacDonalds in Bracebridge for putting up with a bus full of hockey fans, not once, but twice in the same weekend. A very special thankyou goes to team sponsor Stan Gylytiuk who has been loyal to this team for many years and dedicated both money and time to follow their progress. Your generosity Stan, is very much appreciated. To the Boys, keep your chins up, sometimes a game just comes down to a little luck. On Friday, we had more than our share, but unfortunate- ly, Saturday and Sunday there was none to be had. Although you all put forth a super effort, special mention goes to Bob Witheridge who factored in to most of our scoring despite the presence of a'PC'player draped over him most of the series. I hear he still sees a number '12' when he closes his eyes. There is still some hockey left this season and rumour has it we could meet Port Carling again in a tournament next month. Could be interesting! March Break Tournament Action Novice Tournament: Tues., March 17 from 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Russ Major Plumbing Novices first game is 7:30 a.m. at Orono Arena. Atom Tournament: Wed., March 18 from 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Accessible Design Atoms have a 7:30 a.m. start. Peewee Tournament: Thurs., March 19 from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The Markham Label Peewees also have a 7:30 a.m. start. Aggregates over Bowmanville Orono's Dufferin Aggregates minor tykes entertained Newcastle during exhibition play March 6th. The proved to be a good warmup for the tykes Saturday morning encounter with Bowmanville #5. The Aggregates took it on the chin as they went down to Newcastle 4-1. D.J. Kemp made his first appearance on Orono ice to spur his Newcastle team on to victory. Tyler Johansen scored Orono's lone goal with Kyle Barr picking up the assist. Bowmanville goes down Undaunted, the Aggregates took on Bowmanville team #5 the following day handing them a 4-1 loss.Coach Barr said the team played their game of the year! Defense partners Brian Knapp, Lucas Martin, Jordan Mcdonnell and Daniel VanderWeer played a strong game back on the blue line. Garrett Klompmaker and Cary Konopka made the move up front putting on a fine show playing on a forward line. Jeremy Caruana opened the scoring assisted by Derek Snow. Kyle Barr scored Aggregates' second goal unassisted. Caruana drove home number three unas- sisted and Kyle Barr hammered in the fourth. Matt Puddicombe had a strong couple of games in net. Tyler Armstrong, Nancy Burt, Scott Duquette and Shelby Macdonell contributed great play to their winning effort. Ryan Wood was out with the flu. Story number two in a four- adpstoshsetne part short story series by arm out. As he looks up and Jim Merce r--Junior A, Tier to the side, he sees the chal- IlI Hockey Coach. lenge he has been waiting for. An object is elevated in His breath fades away as he stands motionless. Sizing up the task ahead of him, he knows that he is on his own. Feeling wet hair against the back of his neck, he shuts everyone out. The tension builds in his upper torso. Sweat falls from his brow. He sets himself up in an awkward-looking stance mid air. It's not large, not heavy, but he has an uncontrollable urge to own it. Suddenly it falls. Gravity has taken hold. He stops breathing. His heart is at a standstill. He makes a des- perate yet accurate sweep with his arms. Before he knows it, he is in motion... he has won the face-off. Power Skaters "lights out for Power Workers" National Power Skating major tykes were wide awake for a 6:30 Saturday morning time slot against the electrified Power Workers' team. After settling for a tie in their last meeting the 'Power Skaters' turned up the amperage zap- ping Bowmanville defeating them 8-1 Centerman Rob Blaker, opened the scoring at 13:23 off a corner pass from Tommy Meester. Winger Noel Snow put Orono ahead by two scor- ing on a scramble with Brock Dunham and Rob Blaker notching assists. Jeffery Mulder fired in a hard, knee- high shot that beat the goalie but not the buzzer. The 'Power Skaters' netted two more goals in the second. Center Matthew Dobson scored on a cool flip shot from 15 feet out, launching the puck high and dropping it behind the goalie from Jeffery Mulder. Defenseman Jevon Staples broke around the defense and scored on a shot that found the corner with Matthew Dobson and Nathan Smith assisting. Netminder Tanner Johnson stoned Bowmanville on a breakaway keeping them off the board. The third was all Orono's. Rob Blaker scored his 2nd and 3rd goals of the morning one on a breakaway at 14:05 and the other after lugging the puck in from a center ice face-off then letting go of a hard-earned shot striking paydirt at13:41. Matthew Dobson landed his second of the game on a quick shot that fooled the goalie and Brock Dunham and Mitchell Harding assisted. Orono's eighth goal came at 2:17 when Rob Blaker scored his fourth of the game on a shot from the side of the crease assisted by Brett Cairns. Final shots: Orono 22 - Bowmanville 5. OMHA Novices Plumbers looking good!