HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1992-11-04, Page 10S ports
PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 1992.Brussels Hockey team will
crusade no more due to debt
Bodycheck
A Brussels Bulls player gets bodychecked in the corner by
an opposing Mount Forest Patriot player Sunday afternoon
at the Brussels, Morris and Grey Community Centre.
However, the Bulls won the game 6-4. Minor hockey
players were able to view the action for free in celebration
of Minor Hockey Day.
Steve Fritz leads Bulls
attack on Patriots
The Brussels Bulls improved
their record to six wins, no losses
with a 6-4 victory over the Mt.
Forest Patriots Sunday afternoon in
Brussels.
The win sets the stage for
“Showdown ’92” when the
Hanover Barons arrive in town for
a 7:30 start Saturday night. The
game, featuring the league's only
two undefeated teams, will be
followed by a ‘Meet the Player’
Dance.
Steve Fritz led the attack with a
two-goal - two-assist performance
8,793
mazda - making you feel just right!
B2200 Standard Cab Short Box
* Plus Freight, Pre-Service, Licence & Taxes
while linemates Jeff McKee, Nate
Bender, Josh Alexander, and Jeff
Coulter each added singles.
Brussels led 3-2 after 20 minutes
and 5-3 heading into the final
period despite being outshot 29-27
by the Patriots.
LEAGUE STANDINGS
Hanover 7-0-1 15 points
Brussels 6-0-0 12
Wingham 4-3-2 10
Mt. Forest 2-2-3 7
Walkerton 2-4-0 4
Goderich 2-6-0 .4
Grand Valley 0-8-0 0
By Bonnie Gropp
Wracked by debt and disinterest
the Brussels Intermediate Senior
Hockey team will crusade no more.
After six years, the Crusaders
have called it quits. The successful
team, which achieved four divi
sional championships and two top
place wins in 1987/88 and 1989/90,
was forced this past September to
make a decision regarding its
future.
Manager Pete Exel said by last
season's end the team was left with
a sizable deficit. "We knew we
were going to have to consider this
year whether we could keep the
team going. We didn't want it to
Blyth Bantams still
have scoring touch
by Rusty Blades
Once again the hockey season
has begun and all Blyth teams are
getting prepared for another winter
of puck chasing.
The Blyth Bantams went directly
into their regular season after two
weeks of the Blyth Minor Hockey
School. They showed they hadn't
lost their scoring touch over the
summer as they opened the season
with two road wins.
Blyth travelled to Stephen
Township on Oct. 23 where they
secured a 6-2 win with a solid two-
way game.
Brian Marks opened the season
scoring for Blyth five minutes into
the game on a power play after a
nifty set up from Brian McNichoI.
Chris Stewart upped the count to
2-0 two minutes later as he jumped
on a rebound, with assists to Peter
Craig and Ryan Chamney. Stewart
then set up Brian McNichoI, who
scored on a fine solo rush to
increase Blyth's lead to 3-0 as the
first period ended.
McNichoI increased the lead to
4-0 with the only second period
goal, with assists going to
defencemen Henry Bos and
Jonathan Collins.
The teams traded two goals each
in the third. Ryan Chamney put one
goal through the goalie's legs early,
with help from Jason Rutledge, and
then Henry Bos closed out the
scoring late in the game on a
powerplay. Brian McNichoI set up
Bos's slapper from the point which
found the twine. Blyth played well
end, but we also didn't want to dig
a deeper hole."
Dwindling interest was another
factor, said Mr. Exel. "Hockey just
isn't the priority is used to be.”
Coach Gary Dauphin, who has
been with the team since its incep
tion, said while interest has waned
among both fans and players he
doesn't think it was a big factor in
the decision. "I don't think we
woiild have folded if it weren't for
financial reasons."
Mr. Dauphin said he had enough
interested players to make a team.
"It might not have been super com
petitive, but it would have been
enough," he explained.
defensively throughout the game
and puck stopper Chris Lee had a
solid first outing for this 6-2 win.
Blyth travelled to Brussels on
Oct. 28 where their potent offence
was more than a match for
Brussels' defence as Blyth crushed
a gutsy Brussels squad 15-1.
Eight of Blyth's 10 skaters scored
at least one goal while every Blyth
skater notched at least one point in
the game.
Brian McNichoI, Chris Stewart
and Ryan Chamney led the attack
as each recorded the hat-trick with
McNichoI picking up four assists,
Stewart recording three assists and
Chamney counting two helpers.
Brian Marks lit the red light
twice and single goals were scored
by Jason Rutledge, Christopher
Howson, Peter Craig and Jonathan
Collins. Marks and Rutledge
assisted on three goals each, Greg
Toll chipped in with two helpers
and single assists went to
Christopher Howson, Peter Craig
and Henry Bos. -
The competition should increase
this week as Blyth hosts Milverton
before participating in the Zurich
Bantam Tournament this weekend.
Concerning fan support, Mr.
Dauphin noted it is tough compet
ing with the popular Junior "C"
team. The people have always
been supportive, but there is only
so much time can be spent at an
arena watching hockey.
Dividing the support of local
business has hurt the team as well,
said Mr. Dauphin. "Our business
support has always been good, but
everyone is struggling through a
recession. With two teams asking
for money there were going to be
cuts somewhere."
This past September the organi
zation held a co-ed ball tournament
in the hopes of shaving off some of
the debt. Mr. Exel said the $2500
raised managed to lessen the bur
den somewhat. However, Mr.
Dauphin explained, had the club
ended in a break-even situation last
year they would still, in all likeli
hood, have been unable to reform
as it takes a good deal of money
just to begin a season. "Now we
hope to be in the clear by the end of
the year. Our debt is nowmanage-
able."
The downside, Mr. Dauphin said,
is what it means for the people who
wanted to play. "The sad part is
there are about 10 high calibre local
players now playing recreation
hockey." Others, he added, have
gone to play in Milverton.
They say nothing is forever, so
there is always the possibility the
team can start again in the future.
However, Mr. Dauphin doesn't
hold much hope. "I would like to
see it start again," he said, "but the
odds are against it. I don't really
have a lot of faith that it will hap
pen. As everyone knows it's easier
to keep these things going than
start them again."
Walden Photography
p Weddings &
Portraits
Call
■ Gary Walden
482-7675
1992 Mazda B22OO
Canada's Best Selling...
Canada's Best Equipped...
Canada's Lowest Priced
1993 Import Tracks
Trailing along
Figure skaters (left to right) April Van Amersfoort, Leanne Haggitt, Ashley Howson and Elisha
Courtney made a train while skating for the Blyth Figure Skating and Blyth Minor Hockey
fundraiser Saturday in the Blyth Community Centre. Skaters and hockey players collect
pledges and skate from 9:00 a.m to 2:00 p.m. to raise funds in support of ice time and
equipment
M-W MOTORS LTD
Sales • Service • Parts • Leasing
Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8 - 6 Sat. 9 - 4
1-800-267-7567 or 524-2113
300 Suncoast Drive East Goderich