Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Exeter Times-Advocate, 1977-04-28, Page 17Times-Advocate, April 28, 1977 Sports Spotlight By Ross Haugh Page 17 Three cheers Two Ontario Junior "D" hockey championships in the past six years. That's the accomplishment by the Exeter Minor Hockey Association as the result of the four straight victories by the Exeter Hawks over Stayner in this year's final, The Hawks had as much trouble with the Mitchell Hawks in their own division final as they did with any of the other' two clubs along the playoff trail. After a tough series with Mitchell, the local Hawks seemed to pick up momentum and had little trouble in dis- posing of Stayner in four straight games in the final round. A lot of people deserve a lot of credit in making the Hawks a team of championship calibre in a year in which the club faced more than their share of adversities. • Right off the bat the Hawks were forced to play the en- tire season actually away from home although for a few of the team members the Zurich arena was actually closer than Exeter. In dishing out plaudits for the success of the team it could be something like which comes first the chicken or the egg? The success of the Hawks is the result of an excellent organization, the Exeter Minor Hockey Association; strong management, great coaching; great players and the best supporters in the world. The EMHA represented by president Ron Bogart, secretary Bill Batten, treasurer Wayne Pearce and all the other willing workers have supported the Hawks solidly throughout the year. , Fred Mommersteeg has to be the hardest working manager of any hockey team in the province. The jovial Zurich area farmer spent countless hours for the hockey team. Many of these hours were over a cup of coffee at local eateries but they have to be rewarding to Fred, The excellent conditioning of the Hawks appeared to be a big difference against several of the other teams in the playoffs. The fellow responsible for the team's conditioning is coach Ron Bogart who took over the team shortly after Christmas in addition to his duties as EMHA president. Any of Bogart's teams over the years whether it has been football at South Huron District High School or a number of minor hockey clubs conditioning has always been his strong point. The dedication and enthusiasm of the team players themselves was exemplified by centre Rick Ingram who was injured and missed the last couple of games. Ingram was on hand for every contest as the team's foremost cheerleader and his enthusiasm surely rubbed off on.the rest of the players. The last cog in the championship. machine and this is farthest from the least was the tremendous fan support received by the Hawks. It was estimated close to 400 local fans made the trip to Stayner Friday for the championship winning game. This alone would give the Hawks the feeling they were playing at home and an added incentive to wrap things up. Congratulations again to Fred, Ron, trainer Bob Drum- mond and the entire Hawks gang. Fishing derby Saturday • A reminder to all the youngsters in the area of Satur- day's fishing derby at the Morrison Dam. Thanks to the sponsoring body, the Exeter claybird gun club all youngsters 14 years of age and under will be able to compete for a number of prizes with the longest and heaviest fishes. According to reports we have received a very few of the many trout stocked at the dam have been showing any in- terest in worm nibbling so far this year. With improved weather promised for the weekend maybe the trout will be in the right mood to provide the con- testants with lots of exciting entertainment. Registration takes place between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m, for a very nominal fee of 25 cents. The claybird gun club is to be congratulated on backing this event in giving areai boys and girls a chance to at least give their worms swimming lessons. Slow pitch for Dashwood Athletes, and this word can be taken very loosely will have plenty of chance this summer to participate in extra activities inDashwood this summer, Paul Watson gave us a call over the weekend to report that he hoped slow pitch leagues for men and women could be organized for residents of Dashwood and vicinity. A meeting has been scheduled for the club house at the Dashwood athletic field for Thursday, May 5 to organize the two proposed leagues. Anyone wishing information before the meeting may contact Paul Watson, George Tieman, Jack Ford or Ken Rader. According to tentative plans a ladies league would be set up for Wednesday nights with the men performing each Thursday night. • Here's a chance for everybody in the Dashwood area to get a little exercise and enjoyment. These types of league are becoming very popular throughout the country with the emphasis on participation rather than winning. While speaking of sports in Dashwood we also have learned that Joe Fulop will be taking over the managerial duties of the Dashwood Tigers this summer in the Huron- Perth intermediate baseball league. Fulop, a popular teacher at South Huron District High School has handled Dashwood and Crediton juvenile and junior clubs over the past several years and has shown he has the credentials to do the job in a higher category. Best of luck, Joe. Soccer registration Any boys or girls wishing to participate in the Eketer 111 minor soccer program this summer have a last chance to register tonight, Thursday. Registration for youngsters between the ages of 6 and 16 are asked to come to Room 116 at SHDHS between.? and 9 pan. • The Exeter Hawks captured the Ontario Junior "D" cham- pionship, Friday bringing the trophy home after a four-year absence. They accomplished that feat in rather remarkable style, ousting the defending champion Stayner Siskins in four straight games. While Siskins fans and management expected that after each game their chargers would come to life for the next, the Hawks had just too much desire and ability and actually won the final two games by lopsided scores of 7-1 and 9-2. In the series, they out-scored Stayner by a margin of 31-9 and disposed of them in what was probably their easiest playoff round, considering the fact that two of their stars, Rick Ingram and Steve Jennison were sidelined by injuries. While some local fans had suggested (tongue-in-cheek) that the Hawks should lose Friday's game so they could win the title back in Zurich, there was never any doubt about what the Hawks had in mind when the stepped on the ice in Stayner. They jumped to the attack right from the opening whistle and never let up until the game was over as they completely dominated the contest, Giving them some added drive for that contest was the fact that two of their players, Brian Taylor and Gerald Weido, had given up studytime for exams they had the next day at the University of Western Ontario and their team mates weren't about to let them make that sacrifice in vain. It was indicative of the team spirit that prevailed throughout the playoff series. When the final buzzer sounded, the Hawks flew onto the ice in a wild emotional display, burying goalie Randy Lovie under a pile of arms and legs. After the OHA trophy was presented to captain Steve Jennison, the team skated to their dressing room for a champagne soaked victory celebration. Little of the bubbly was taken internally, except for the traditional sip from the silver- ware, as the players gaily sprayed team mates, fans, coach Ron Bogart and manager Fred Mommersteeg. Anyone who dared entered was sciaked. "You're the greatest bunch of guys I've ever been associated with," Bogart yelled over the roar of the dressing room antics. It was Bogart who helped turn the team around when some problems arose in midseason. He was named coach and from that point on the team went on to win the league championship and then ousted Mt. Brydges, Mit- chell and Wellington on their Way to the championship series against Stayner. The Hawks lost only five games along the playoff trail, They HAWKS HAVE...THE CUPS — The Exeter Junior Hawks and team officials pose for an .official picture following their winning of the OHA Junior "D" championship. Back row, from the left: secretary Bill Batten, second vice-president George Pratt, vice-president Ray Brooks, Kim McKinnon, Tom Hayter, Brian Taylor, treasurer Wayne Pearce, Trainer Bob Drummond. Middle row: manager Fred Mommersteeg, Randy Fisher, Paul Pooley, Jim Ferguson, Matt Muller, Dave Kinsman, Rick Ingram, Don McKellar, Gerald Weido, Perry , Pooley, Ron Bilcke and coach and president Ron Bogart. Front: Laurie Skinner, Fred Mommersteeg Jr., Ken Pinder, John VanGerwen, Steve Jennison, Phil Knight, Noel Skinner, Paul Brooks and Randy Lovie. Staff photo Post lopsided wins in final two games of series HNSALL HWY. 84 • One Mile West and One Mile South of Hensall a penalty and broke in alone for a clear shot. McKellar then notched his second of the game to give Exeter a commanding 8-1 lead, and the teams traded goals in the final minutes with Noel Skinner finishing off his career with the last goal for the Ontario cham- pions. John VanGerwen was the top playmaker for the Hawks with three assists, while Phil Knight helped on two. Drawing one" assist each were Paul Pooley, Don McKellar, Dave Kinsman, Matt Muller, Fred Mom- mersteeg, Ken Pinder and Gerald Weido, The Hawks picked up 15 of the 28 penalties called by referee Doug Robb. Bombard Stay ner The Hawks posted a 7-1 verdict in Thursday's third game of the series on their home ice before 650 fans and they dominated play throughout most of the contest. Stayner coach Paul Carruthers said it was the worst game his team had played all year. The Exeter crew led by 2-0 after the first and then increased it to 4-1 after two periods and walked away with the game in their usual strong showing in the final period. Paul Pooley, taking a regular shift at centre ice as a replace- ment for two injured Hawks Flick Ingram and Steve Jen- nison) put the locals on the scoreboard at the 12:22 mark of the initial frame on a power play goal and they were never headed after that. Gerald Weido and Noel Skinner picked up the assists. Weido came back near the end of the period when he grabbed an errant Stayner pass to get a clear shot at Brian DeGeer and he made no mistake on what turned out to be the winner. Phil Knight gave Exeter a 3-0 lead midway through the second when he blasted a hard shot from the point on a play set up by Weido and Brian Taylor. Stayner finally hit the scoreboard on a power play at the 16:16 mark. The Hawks had been two men short and one of the penalized players had just stepped back on the ice when the Siskins scored. However, Don McKellar got that one back quickly when he deflected a shot into the net near the end of the second period with Taylor and Kim McKinnon pick- ing up the assists. Ken Pinder set linemate John Van Gerwen up with a perfect pass at the 4:22 mark of the third and then Brian Taylor came back in less than a minute to make it 6-1 as he was left alone and slammed in a rebound. Pooley and Weido picked up the assists. The final tally came with less than four minutes remaining and Stayner offering little resistance. Kim McKinnon slid a pass towards the net and both McKellar and Matt Muller swept at the puck with Muller being YAMAHA SALES & SERVICE SPECIAL a Yamaha's own Yamalube injector oil. Recommended for use in all two cycle engines. Warranty approved. $4.95 per gallon in your container. Limit: 2 gallons per customer SALES: NEW & USED CHOOSE FROM 15 MODELS SPECIAL: DT100D ENDURO $691 All 77 Models DT250D $1211 RD200D STREET $1061 Cash Sales — PARTS • OIMMIIMINIMM• • Any one of our snowmobile customers will be happy to tell you about our well-stocked Parts Department. We stock the parts you need, —SERVICE• • Let us solve your problems. Our shop has the most modern equipment. Open Every Day For Your Convenience ELDER ENTERPRISES RR 2 Hensall PHONE 262-6142 HOME: 262-5596 LSMFT LARRY SNIDER MEANS FINE TRADES 75 TORINO SEDAN automatic, power steering and brakes, radio. Mileage 42200. Licence JYY645. Was $3495 74 LTD 4 door hardtop, automatic air, radio. Mileage 47163. Licence DFZ951. Was $3295 $2795 73 CUTLASS SUPREME 2 door, buckets, 350 V8, automatic, power brakes, power steering, radials. Mileage 48304, Licence DFV187, Was $3495 73 GALAXIE "5" SEDAN automatic, radio, radials. Mileage 44669, Licence DHH472. Was $2495 73 OLDS ROYALE, 4 door, automatic, AM/FM, 1 owner. Mileage 44507. Licence DFV1 18. Was $3695 73 MARQUIS 2 door, automatic air, radio. Mileage 43530. Licence DFU475. Was $2495. 71 MAVERICK SEDAN 302 V8, automatic, radio, Mileage 85352. Licence CWP306. Was $1395 1974 ASTRA WAGON, 4 cylinder, has a transmission (of some kind), Licence 1-101131 72 MAVERICK SEDAN, 6 cylinder, automatic, radio, Mileage 34738, Licence DFX563 74 BUICK CENTURY 2 door, Luxus, V8, flight bench, radials, Ziebart. Licence DFZ738 74 DART 2 door, 6 cylinder, automatic, radio. Mileage 60948. Licence HNL295 NEW PAINT 73 LTD 4 door, automatic, AM/FM, split bench. Licence DFZ456 1975 NOVA SEDAN, 6 cylinder, automatic. Licence JYY422 1974 TRIUMPH TR6, stick shift. A beauty. licence HNK749 1974 PINTO WAGON, stick shift, Only 32,000 miles. Licence HMR422 1969 GALAXIE XL 2 door, V8, automatic, power steering and brakes, buckets, Licence DFW796 AS IS SPECIALS '2400 '2995 $2995 $3295 '2500 9395 72 CENTURION 2 door, As is. Mileage 14708. Licence DJM556 70 MARQUIS, 2 door, As is. Mileage 30857, Licence FKD399 1969 CHRYSLER 4 door, V8, automatic, power steering and brakes, (Before inspection). Licence DFV329 1972 FORD BROUGHAM SEDAN, V-8, automatic, Licence DFM517 TRUCKS 7.5 F100 PICKUP 6 cylinder, insulated topper, stick. Mileage 32859. Licence D16094. Was $3695. $3250 74 FORD F100 RANGER, 302 V8, radio, rear bumper. Mileage 66602, Licence D16086. Was $2995 '2795 76 COURIER PICKUP, (Demonstrator) 1300 cc engine, J speed over- drive, rear step bumper, tape stripes, 6 ply whitewall tires. Mileage 5034. licence D15641. Was $4348. 1975 DODGE PICKUP with some kind of motor and transmission. Licence D19509 1974 FORD EXPLORER, V-8, automatic, driven as a ear, Licence LT38948,, $3095 Remember ... It's Sense To See Snider's Huron County's Larr-,it Ford Dealer Larry Snider Motors LIMITED EXETER 235.1640 LONDON 227-4191 Open Weekdays Until 4,:00 Saturdays Until 6:00 '2550 $2895 $1650 '2895 $2100 '1050 '1495 '1795 '3895 $550 $495 '595 '595 $3725 '3095 HAWKS WIN OHA TITLE credited with the tally, Randy Lovie continued his steady netminding, and while his defensive corps gave Stayner only a few good shots, the agile goalie was equal to those oc- casions. The Hawks picked up 10 of the 19 minor penalties called in a game that was slowed by the soft ice conditions. In the clinching game in Stayner, the Hawks left little doubt in the fans' minds as to their determination to finish the series. They jumped to the attack right off the opening whistle and only some stellar netminding by Steve Baker kept the Siskins in the game in the first period. Exeter bombarded him with 18 shots, but it wasn't until the 18:33 mark that Ken Pinder finished of a neat passing play with John VanGerwen to give the locals a 1- 0 lead on a power play. They stormed to the attack again in the second period and goals by Brian Taylor, Don McKellar and Matt Muller in the first five minutes gave the Hawks all the cushion they needed. Stayner made an attempt to get back in the game at the 13:11 mark as they whittled the lead to 4-1, but Paul Pooley got that one back in less than a minute and left the Hawks with a 5-1 margin at the end of two periods. Brian Taylor scored two in the first five minutes of the final stanza to give him the hat trick. His second tally came when he stole the puck while killing Huron Park awards event The 1976-77 hockey season at Huron Park officially clos,ed Saturday afternoon with an awards presentation and election of new officers. A large number of parents were in attendance to see the most improved and the most valuable players on each team receive special awards. The highest award a week's enrollment at the Huron Hockey School this summer was won by David "Meeker" Smith as the overall most valuable player in the entire minor hockey program at Huron Park. In the pee wee-bantam house league Todd Case was named the most improved performer and Mark Christie was the most im- proved and Terry Hodgins the most valuable on the pee wee team. Tom Dinney is the most im- proved on the bantam team and Rich Lather the most valuable while midget honours went to Shayne Peacock as the most im- proved and Paul Theander the most valuable. On the girls team, the Huron Parkettes, Barb Swartz was the most improved and Jill Tuckey the most valuable. In house league competition, Robbie Finkbeiner and Todd Lewis took the most improved and most valuable awards, respectively. Jack O'Neil was named presi- dent for the 1977-78 hockey season with Bob Lawrence and Barry Lewis to serve as vice- presidents. Other members of the executive are Tony Jones, Andy McIntyre and Bill McGraw. spotted Mt. J3rydges two games before they got untracked to take that series in six games and then they had their stiffest test against the Hawks from Mitchell. They won that series With a thrilling overtime win in Mitchell in the sixth game and then went on to defeat Wellington with four straight wins after dropping the first tilt in the eastern cora- munity. Plenty of fans. Throughout the playoffs, the Hawks were buoyed by superb fan support. In most games, even those in Wellington and Stayner, they had more fans than the home teams. Over 1,300 cheered them on in the important fourth game against Wellington, which was played in Zurich, Friday night was indicative of the fan support. Over 400 drove to Stayner to join in the cham- pionship celebration. They continually drowned out any cheering the Stayner fans at- tempted to muster for their Siskins, In their "three cheers" ceremony in the dressing room, the Hawks included the fans high on the list of priorities. "They're just the greatest in the world," one half-naked champ shouted, receiving a wild chorus of sup- port for his comments. After finally getting dressed in the soggy dressing room, the Hawks made their way to the team bus, where they were again showeredwith cheers and back- slapping by a big group of fans who had made the trip by bus. On their arrival home, the players were met by two of the local fire trucks for the traditional parade through town at 2:15 a.m. It was a dream come true for 22 young men. MILLER'S AUTO WRECKERS wishes to announce that Albert (experienc- ed welder) specializing in custom welding has joined the staff.