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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2011-03-24, Page 8PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, MARCH 24, 2011.Sports Brussels Atom Bulls lose final series 3-1 After a courageous run through the OMHA playoffs, the Brussels Atom Bulls are hanging up their skates for the season. Saturday saw the Sturgeon Lake Thunder roll in to town for game three of the best-of-five series. The game began with the teams lining up on each other’s blue line and the Bulls greeting Sturgeon Lake with a welcome bag. After a moment of silence for the fallen heroes of the North Perth Fire Department and “O’ Canada” being sung by Lainey Smith, it was time to drop the puck. A full house greeted the Atoms as many fans came to enjoy a great afternoon of hockey as the Bantams would take the ice following the Atoms. The first period saw plenty of action but it was the Bulls that struck first when Jack Pipe scored assisted by Noah Terpstra and Nicholas McArter. The Bulls managed to take that lead to the second period. A minute and a half into the second period, Sturgeon Lake tied the game at one and then over the next six minutes scored two more unanswered goals to make the score 3-1 in favour of Sturgeon Lake. At the 10:53 mark of the third period the Bulls got to within one when Pipe scored his second of the game, assisted by Terpstra and Nolan Johnston. With lots of defensive help by the Bulls’ blue line and the last line of defence in net, Jarron Thompson was able to keep the Bulls in the game. With many opportunities and not very many bounces, the coaching staff decided to pull the goalie for an extra attacker but with only 1.2 seconds left in the game Sturgeon Lake was able to get the insurance they needed and the final score was 4-2 and allowed the Thunder to take a 2-1 series lead. Game four started at 1 pm. last Sunday with another near-capacity crowd on hand to cheer on the teams. The Brussels fans far outnumbered the visitors but Sturgeon Lake would silence the crowd when they struck first this time and took a 1-0 lead to the second period. Sturgeon Lake would extend their lead to 2-0 before Terpstra scored assisted by Pipe and Avery McArter on the powerplay would cut the deficit in half. With 1:20 to go in the second, the Thunder would regain the two-goal bulge when they scored on the powerplay and then with 32 seconds to play, they would make the score 4-1 after two periods of play. The third period was full of bounces not going the Bulls’ way and just missed opportunities but at 2:53 remaining Avery McArter netted one assisted by Pipe and Brett Stevenson on a powerplay, however that is as close as Brussels would come and the final score was 4-2 in favour of Sturgeon Lake. Sturgeon Lake was then crowned OMHA Atom E champs. The Brussels Atom Bulls had a great year as they competed hard and came in second a couple of times. In the WOAA group playoffs they finished with a record of eight wins and two losss, good enough for second in the group just missing a chance to go to the Gregg Division final and then with a record of seven wins and three losses in OMHA playoffs, including two series sweeps over Zurich and Bothwell and then, of course, finished second to Sturgeon Lake in the OMHA final. The coaching staff was very proud of the boys’ accomplishments this year and commended them on their sportsmanship and their perseverance. This was the last year for just a Brussels Atom team and what a way to end it – to be in the top two of all Ontario is very special. Members look forward to amalgamation with Blyth because with the two minor hockey organizations joining together we as a group are only going to get stronger. The members of this year’s OMHA Atom “E” finalists are: Brent Alexander, Chris Hruska, Ted Jacklin, Ronan Jared, Nolan Johnston, Avery McArter, Nicholas McArter, Jack Pipe, Jacob Roth, Hudson Smith, Brett Stevenson, Noah Terpstra and Jarron Thompson. The coaching staff included Coach Gary Pipe, Assistant Coach Darryl Houston, Trainer Bob Hruska and Manager Doug McArter. The Wall Despite a great defensive effort, the Brussels Atom Bulls just couldn’t catch a break over the weekend, ending their best-of-five game series and season against the Sturgeon Lake Thunder. The Bulls lost 4-2 for both of their games, one on Saturday, March 19 and one on Sunday, March 20. (Denny Scott photo) This past weekend the Wingham Golf and Curling Club held the second annual Funspiel. The 64 curlers, most new to the game, shared many laughs and each other’s company. Bonspiel organizers Scott and Joan Bridge did a fantastic job getting this group of curlers together. The bonspiel, made up of “wacky rules”, was a great day for the club and everyone participating were truly the winners. In regular league action Monday, March 14 the daytime curlers picking up wins were Wendell Stamper, Bruce Robertson, Wayne Forster, John Mann, Mac Inglis and Irving Elliott. Monday night Matt Cottrill and Roy Aitchison skipped their teams to victory. The Tuesday night ladies saw Keslie Eadie, Emily Elston and Sandra Morrison help curl their teams to wins. The Wednesday mixed league winners were Wayne Horton, Scott Bridge and Karen Burke. The Thursday daytime enjoyed some great curling and close games with Nelson Frank, Ron McMichael, Bruce Robertson, Wayne Forster, Barry Simpson and Irving Elliott coming out on top. The Thursday night Belgrave mixed action had Larry Robinson, Murray McNichol, John Nixon and Fred Meier skip their teams to wins. Friday night Wayne Waechter, Barry Simpson and Murray Fear closed out the week victorious. With league curling winding down, the Thursday night family league and Friday night mixed held a one-game playoff last week for the Casemore Cup. The Friday night group of Bill McDonald, Cole McDonald, Debbie Gammie and Dan Kitts came away with the win to claim the cup. This Saturday, March 26, the Masonic Lodge Bonspiel is being held at the club. OUT OF THE HACK NEWS The Wingham Golf and Curling Club is having a fundraising dinner at the Clinton Casino on Tuesday, April 5. Please contact the pro shop for tickets. Golfers don’t forget to take advantage of the early-bird golf special. March 26th, 2011 10 am - 4 pm Seaforth Agriplex ONTARIO Mons ter Whi tetai l Magazine ...has moved. WIN an Excalibur Exocet 200! www.ontariobigbuckcontests.com Ontario's Premier Buckshow Check the website for full details! 116 Chalk St. N. Seaforth, ON (Huron-Perth & Surrounding Counties) 1. Butt out. 2. Work out. Just two things you can do to reduce your risk of cancer. Learn more about healthy lifestyle choices. Call the Canadian Cancer Society Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333 or visit www.cancer.ca. Skips and Stones – By Bruce Skinn Big winners The Wingham Golf and Curling Club held its annual Casemore Cup last weekend and the winners were from the Friday night mixed league. From left: Bill McDonald, Cole McDonald and Debbie Gammie. Absent was Dan Kitts. (Photo submitted)