Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2012-02-16, Page 8PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2012.Sports Ironmen down Bulldogs in 5 games, advance to semis It took the Wingham Ironmen five games to get past the Kincardine Bulldogs in their Western Junior C Hockey League quarter-final series. Trailing by a score of 1-0 after the first period and a 2-0 early in the second period of game five, played Saturday evening at the North Huron Wescast Community Complex, the Ironmen outscored the Bulldogs 5-2 in the middle frame as they posted a 5-4 victory to win the series four games to one. Game four was played Friday in Wingham and the Ironmen scored a 3-1 decision. Game three was played at the Davidson Centre in Kincardine on Feb. 8 and the Bulldogs recorded a 5-2 victory. Ryan Armstrong gave the Bulldogs a 1-0 lead at 17:35 of the first period in Saturday’s game five. Mike Smailes gave the Bulldogs a two-goal advantage with 41 seconds gone in the second period. Aaron Armstrong got the Ironmen on the scoreboard at 1:29 of period two. Joel Bowman assisted on the power play marker. Bowman tied the game at two at 3:17 with help from Wade Stephenson and Graham Ashcroft. Stephenson put the Ironmen up 3-2 with a goal at 4:11 with Armstrong getting the assist. Joel Alton netted the equalizer at 7:12 on the power play. Armstrong netted his second of the game at 9:08 with help from Stephenson and Tyler Kellum. Kellum made the score 5-3 at 15:40 with the assists going to Brett Brophy and Armstrong. Paul Stewart scored for Kincardine at 19:58 of the third period. Wingham outshot the Bulldogs 34-28 and was 1-5 on the power play. Coach Chad Haggitt of Blyth said the key to the success of the Ironmen in the game was a great second period. “We came out pretty flat,” he said. “We had a good second period.” In the third period they played to protect the lead, having faith in goaltender Jeff Puddephatt being able to turn aside any shots from the Bulldogs. “[We did] the same as last night, sat back and let Jeffrey do his thing,” he said. The Ironmen now play Walkerton in the best-of-seven semi-final series. Game one was played last night (Wednesday) in Walkerton with game two going Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the North Huron Wescast Community Complex. Forward Evan Ducharme of Brussels said it was a big game for the Ironmen on Saturday night. “It was a big game tonight and a game we had to win because we didn’t want the series to go any longer,” he said. “It was good to get it done now and not have more games so we’d be more tired for the next series.” He said they were concerned when they fell behind 2-0 and that they had to pick their game up. “When we were down 2-0 we weren’t playing well at all,” he said. “We came out in the second period the way we should play and took the lead.” He said that Walkerton, being the best team in the league, will put up a good fight. “We’ll have to come to play every night and do our best effort at all times,” said Ducharme. The power play was productive for the Ironmen on Friday evening. They scored three times with the man advantage as they posted a 3-1 decision. Stephenson opened the scoring at 10:39 with Armstrong and Brophy assisting on the power play marker. Armstrong made it 2-0 at 18:47 with Stephenson and Kellum assisting on the power play marker. Ryan Armstrong made it 2-1 at 3:53 of the second period. Aaron Armstrong netted the third Wingham goal at 4:59 of period two, with Brophy and Bowman assisting on the power play marker. There was no scoring in the third period. Coach Haggitt said game four was pretty much the type of game he was expecting. “I thought we might have scored a little more, but we got the win and that’s what we wanted,” he said. The Ironmen played a more defensive style of game in the third period. “We felt that Jeff (Puddephatt) was playing good enough and that if we limited their chances we were going to be able to hold on and that’s what we did,” he said. Haggitt said he was still expecting a long tough series. “We got to come to play tomorrow night to finish it. They’re going to come out hard I’m sure. They’re not going to roll over so we have to come ready,” he said. Wingham outshot Kincardine 36- 35 and was 3-8 on the power play. Ashcroft and Stephenson were the Ironmen goalgetters in game three last Wednesday. Wingham outshot the Bulldogs 35-39 and was 1-7 on the power play. Heading for the semi-finals The Wingham Ironmen put the final nail in the 2011-12 Kincardine Bulldog’s season with a 5- 4 victory over the team in game five of their quarter-finals series. The team has already started their next playoff series: the semi-finals against the Walkerton Hawks on Wednesday, Feb. 15. Their next match will be against the Hawks on home ice on Feb. 17. (Jim Brown photo) By Jim Brown The Citizen Volunteers needed for soccer Blyth and District Minor Soccer held its winter meeting on Jan. 20. Items on the agenda included the upcoming registration to take place at the Blyth Public School, creating player books, game reports, organiz- ing referees, costs, line painting, etc. Once again this year we are looking to the community for help with coaching, field maintenance, as well as for members to sit on the board. Club President, Herb Van Amersfoort, a long-time soccer devotee, has decided it is time to enjoy the summer just coaching his favourite sport without being part of the board. Members are very thankful for all he has done over the years, especially being a part of bring soccer to the Blyth area. Those in attendance at the meeting learned that soccer began in Blyth in 1985, and was first played inside the arena. It has certainly come a long way over the years, and the community is thankful for the time that the many community volunteers have given to area children. Registration will be held this year at Blyth Public School on Saturday, March 3 from 9 a.m. to noon and on Wednesday, March 7 from 7 to 9 p.m. Organizers hope this is another great year “on the pitch” filled with fun and learning. If you are able to give to your abilities to coach (especially for the age four and under group) please give organizers a call. This is also a wonderful way for students to fulfill their community hours. They are also looking for someone to be president this year, so if you have a love for the game it is a great way for you to give back to the community. There is a wonderful group of assistants to work with, and the tasks are divided up so as to not be a burden for anyone. Please e-mail blythbrook@ hurontel.on.ca or call 519-523-4705 if you are interested in helping Blyth and District Minor Soccer. Brussels Morris and Grey Community Centre Sunday - February 19th Snowshoeing for the whole family Snow Pitch Tourney 9:30 am to 5:00 pm Free Skating 11:30 am to 12:50 pm Monday, February 20th Family Day of Curling Seaforth & District Community Centre Monday - February 20th Seaforth Ringette Breakfast 7:30 am to 11:00 am Free Skating - 9:00 am to 12:00 noon and 1:00 pm to 2:30 pm Shinny Hockey - 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm ($5.00/player) Vanastra Recreation Centre Sunday and Monday - February 19th & 20th Free Swimming 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm On behalf of the Huron East Recreation Department we hope you and your family have an active and healthy Family Day and will inspire you to continue to be active throughout the whole year. In Huron East... Huron East Recreation Department Family Day activities Curling club tutors Grade 7 and 8 students from Brussels Public School The Brussels Curling Club met at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre on Monday with nearly 40 Grade 7/8 students from Brussels Public School. They are receiving instructions from Club members on learning how to curl. This is the second year for the Grade 8 students and the Grade 7 students are new to the game. Helping out for the Brussels Curling Club were Jo-Ann McDonald, Mary Bernard, Karen Uhler, Dianne Flood, Donna Topp, Don Chesher, Orval Bauer and Tom Warwick. The ladies looked after demonstrating the proper throwing technique and the gentlemen looked after advising the decision making of the young skips. The group will return twice more for this physical learning activity on Feb. 27 and March 5.