The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutThe Citizen, 1994-01-12, Page 8PAGE 8. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12,1994. Intermediate Bulls of past challenge Crusaders By Bonnie Gropp After being off the ice for one season the newly formed 1994 Brussels Crusaders are enjoying a very successful season with a line up that includes many former mem bers of the Junior C Brussels Bulls. This weekend that talent is going to lock horns with some other Bulls, the line-up from the 1979-80 Intermediate team which came within a breath of claiming the Championship title that year. According to then coach Bob Rowe, some 15 players have voiced their commitment to reform for this special Crusader fundraiser, which will add good sports with good sport to make for an entertaining evening. While the physiques may have changed over the last decade, the names will be familiar to many. The 1979-80 season was the highlight for the young Intermedi ate Bulls, which had formed just a few years earlier. Towards the end of the season they came up against Palmerston, a team that planned to join the OHA league the following year. Mr. Rowe said the opponents were confident. "They thought they had a good hockey club. We were behind in the series 2-1 then beat them on the Friday night in Palmer ston to tie it. They came to Brussels on the Sunday and (goalie) Steve Coulter stood on his head to help us to a 4-0 victory." The Bulls advanced to the grand championship, but were defeated by Lion's Head. Mr. Rowe remembers many highlights from that year. Midgets Ken Higgins and Mike Watson were moved up to play due to the loss of injured players Bob (Hank) Bridge, Bob MacDonald and Gary Ritchie. There was, he says, a lot of help from the "Wroxeter connection" which included the Hastie boys (brothers Don (Ducker) and Kevin (Shleppy)), Randy Clark and Kevin Townsend. The veterans of the club were "guys" like Bob Thomas, Bob Mac Donald, John McDonald and Glenn Warwick who were all members of the 1974/75 Brussels Lumber Kings Intermediate C hockey club. Mr. Rowe recalls some of the special playing techniques of these local athletes. "If we could get Scotty Wheeler skating in a straight line instead of doing all his circling he was a riffle centre man." "Gerry Wheeler is the only player I knew who could stick handle on his knees and score goals on his belly." "Blaine McCutcheon was a superb hockey player, who anchored our defence. He was unquestionably the best defence man in the entire league." "Blyth's Kevin Carter could shoot a puck so hard that I'm sure oppos ing goaltenders wanted to turn the net around and hide in it." "Randy White always had a smile After a challenge from the Brussels Crusaders members from this 1979-80 Intermediate Bulls team have been practising for a match between the two hockey clubs this Sunday. The lineup then, back row, from left: coach Bob Rowe, Mike Watson, John McDonald, Kevin Hastie, Blaine McCutcheon, Glenn Warwick, Kevin Carter, Randy White, Gerry Wheeler, Bruce Black, Randy Clarke, Bob McDonald, Gord Jacklin, Bob Bridge, Gord Workman, Gary Ritchie. Front row: Kevin Townsend, Murray Nichol, Bob Thomas, Scott Wheeler, Dale Edgar, Steve Coulter, Don Hastie, Ken Higgins . on his face until he put on that Bull uniform, then look out." "Bruce Blake skated up and down the right wing like he drove cars — wide open." "Murray Nichol always looked like a mac truck in reverse when playing defense." "Steve Coulter at the young age of 19 played goal and could stop just about any shot inside the blue- line, but couldn't stop a beach ball from centre ice. It wasn't until after the series that he went and had his eyes tested and found out he need ed glasses." Mr. Rowe adds, "I've coached a lot of hockey clubs but I've never coached a team that was as tight as this hockey club. They played hockey like they partied — shoul der to shoulder. They were a good bunch of guys." Unfortunately just a few short years after the landmark season membership and enthusiasm had waned and the Intermediate Bulls ceased to be, said Crusader spokesperson Gary Pipe. Some of the players had begun playing a role in the formation of a Junior D team in the village which adopted the popular name. Thus later that same decade when interest again picked up in Intermediate hockey action the team took the name Cru saders. The Crusaders and the Junior D Bulls, which later moved to Junior C, were for some time both very active. Last year, however, the Cru saders found themselves in a simi lar position as earlier and were forced on a one year hiatus. Now back bigger and better then ever, they're ready to take on that earlier winning team. Back to give the 79 Bulls trouble however, is their nemesis the refer eeing team of Demaray, Black and Hopper. "I can only assume they have had their eyes tested, because they sure couldn't see well back in 1979," says Mr. Rowe. From those early games he remembers how the trio could rattle Club President Gord Workman. "He always kept the referees honest shaking his finger between cough ing spells that made him turn red," says Mr. Rowe. "Timekeeper Gord Jacklin's favourite saying was 'I know what I'm doing Demaray; you just watch the game.'" The first reunion for the 1979-80 Bulls was last Sunday as they met for their first practise in preparation for Saturday's game which takes place at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $3 for adults, $2 for secondary school students and free admission for public school. The event is all in good fun, Mr. Pipe says with a few alterations to the rules of play such as no slap shots. "It should be a good time with lots of local players, some of whom haven't made an appearance on the ice in some years. It's going to be fun to watch," Mr. Pipe says. Crusaders pull past Shelbourne 5-4 The Brussels Crusaders scored three unanswered third period goals for a 5-4 win over the Shelburne Muskies Sunday afternoon in Brussels. The win moves Brussels into a first place tie with Durham and Tavistock while Shelburne remains winless in 13 Brussels jumped quickly into a 2- 0 lead on goals by Ron Strome and Steve Fritz but Shelburne fought back scoring twice in 17 seconds late in the first period, then added two more in the second period. Steve Fritz completed the hat trick while Brad Carter scored once Fritz had a first period assist while Carter set up two for a three point game. Excellent penalty killing during the last two minutes of play gave Trevor Fortune his sixth win of the year. Brussels travels to Lakeshore night, then returns home to meet the 1980 Intermediate Bulls Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. Saturday night in Wiarton Corey McKee and Brad Carter each scored once while Tim Fritz set up three in leading the south to a 6-2 win over the north in the Annual WOAA Senior All Star Game. J CongratuCations Purchasing a vehicle is a big decision! - Let us help you make the right one! GARRY WOODCOCK Quality Cars & Trucks We Can Save You Money ve A Little - Save A Lot SjOgoNTGOMeRVi LUCKNOW 528-2813 Brian Drennan of R.R. #7 Lucknow Waiting and watching The Blyth Merchants would like to congratulate Brian Drennan of R.R. #7 Lucknow, the lucky winner of the Christmas promotion - a trip for two to Las Vegas. To everyone who participated in the draw and supported the merchants by shopping in Blyth, k member of the Brussels Crusaders gets ready to make his move as this Shelbourne Musky chases the puck in Sunday's game in Brussels. The Crusaders skated away with the win handing the Muskies their 13th straight loss. The home team is now tied for first place in WOAA senior hockey play. Thank You!