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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1995-03-15, Page 10PAGE 10. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 15, 1995. Bulldogs split series Follow the bouncing puck Blyth Midgets' goalie contends with a bouncing puck during the second game in a series of five, against Thedford. The Blyth team took the game 4-3. Midgets host reunion ports * * * * * * * Hockey Memorabilia Auction and Sale Friday, March 17 8:30 p.m.. Blyth District Community Centre 1971 - 72 OMHA ALL- ONTARIO CHAMPION BLYTH PEE WEES vs 1992 - 93 OMHA ALL- ONTARIO CHAMPION BLYTH BANTAMS -- AUCTION ITEMS —* * * * * * * *************************************************** *************************************************** * * * * * * * * Blyth Midget Bulldogs Presents "Relive the Dream" Reunion Hockey Game & AUTOGRAPHED WAYNE GRETZKY STICK (donated by Easton Sports Canada) AUTOGRAPHED DOUG GILMORE STICK (donated by Toronto Maple Leafs), Donations from Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, London Knights, Guelph Storm, The Hockey News, Gretzky's Restaurant Boston Bruins, Montreal Canadiens. By Rusty Blades The Blyth Midget Bulldogs opened their OMHA semi-final series last week as they split a pair of games. The home team was victorious in both games as Thedford opened with a 3-2 win on March 10 before the Bulldogs evened the series with a 4-3 victory on Sunday afternoon at the pound. The Bulldogs travelled to Thedford last Friday to open their OMHA semi-final series. Blyth played an uninspired contest early on as Thedford scored a goal in each period to shade the Bulldogs 3-2. Blyth just couldn't seem to get untracked as Thedford scored three goals, including two power play markers, to take a 3-0 lead with just over 10 minutes left in the game. The Bulldogs finally picked their game up a notch to make for an interesting finish. By R. Elliott If for no other reason the 1994/95 Blyth Bantam team will be remem- bered for its dramatic style of winning. The boys seem to love the challenge of a comeback and have rarely won a game or tournament by leading from start to finish. • Such was the case at a Bantam tournament in Wingham this past weekend. After being solidly trounced 7-3 by the host team and put on the B side of the ladder, the boys seemed to get serious about winning. The Brussels team was the first to get in the way of the boys' charge to the finals, being sent home with an 8-5 thrashing. The next team between Blyth and the tournament trophy was the Teeswatcr gang. As usual Blyth allowed Tecswater to take a 3-1 lead which they held until midway through the 'third when two unanswered goals from Blyth tied the game. The last few minutes of the third period was some of the best hockey of the tournament. Blyth poured on the steam making things pretty hot for the Tecswater goaltender, who held his ground and kept the game to a three-all tie. At the end of five minutes of sudden death overtime the score remained 3-3. I think the word was starting to spread through the town of Wingham that a battle was raging at the arena for the number of people watching the Blyth/ Tecswater game was increasing. The first round of a shootout pitted three of Blyth's best against three of Teeswater's best. At the Chris Stewart gave Blyth a spark with five and a half minutes left in regulation time as he took a Greg Toll feed and ripped home a slapshot from just inside the Thedford blueline. Blyth was enjoying a power play advantage, as well as having their goalie pulled for an extra attacker, in the final minutes as they crept to within a goal with 32 seconds to go. It was a wild scramble in the Thedford zone as Peter Craig and Mike Salverda assisted on Ryan Chamney's clutch goal. Blyth continued their offensive thrust until the final buzzer but Thedford hung on for a 3-2 series opening victory. A huge crowd was on hand to greet the Bulldogs as Blyth hosted game two on Sunday afternoon. The Bulldogs went without their morning feeding so they were hungry when they hit the ice. end of the first round the score was still tied and the spectators kept coming. Round two with three more players a side and still no victor was decided. The arena was starting to sound like a Toronto/Montreal game for the Stanley Cup. Round three of the shootout and the original three players on each side took their best shots against the now weary goaltenders. Arena management was quietly discussing crowd control as once again the teams ended the round tied. Round number four and voices were getting noticeably hoarse and hands red from yelling and pounding. As each player approached the puck and continued down the ice to make their move on the goaltender, a hush fell over the crowd only to be broken when the referee made his official sign of a goal or save. It was the most exciting finish this reporter has witnessed. In the end it was Blyth that got the extra point and won the trophy but it was good hockey by both sides and cer- tainly entertaining. Congratulations to both teams. The Blyth Bantams, after winning two series, have advanced to the Western Ontario Minor Hockey Association finals. They will play Zurich in a best three out of five for the gold. The first game of the first series against Milverton was riddled with controversial calls and non-calls by the referees. At the end of the first, the score was 6-1 for Milverton. Blyth fought back to tie the game 7-7 late in the third. Milverton was falling apart and took a cheap win 4-3 The hunger could be seen on the ice as the Bulldogs scored two goals midway through the first for a 2-0 lead after one. Jason Rutledge and Christopher Howson assisted on the opening goal which was scored on Peter Craig's long, low drive. One and a half minutes later Brad Anderson assisted on Rutledge's power play goal as Rutledge bulled his way into the Thedford zone and put the goalie at his mercy with a shifty deke. Thedford found some life and tied the game with two goals one minute apart late in the second period. The Bulldogs never wilted and it only took 29 seconds to regain the lead. A wild scramble ensued as both Chamney and Mark Wilson took a whack at the puck before Howson slid the puck into the open side of the net. The Bulldogs increased their lead to 4-2 1:32 into the third frame. Toll and Rutledge did the spade work for Chamney who fired a bullet through traffic in front. Thedford inched to within 4-3 as they notched a powerplay goal with 10 minutes left in the game to set up yet another heart-stopping finish. The Bulldogs were equal to the task they thwarted every Thedford rush the rest of the way. An illegal stick infraction was called against the Bulldogs, who played the last one minute and 55 seconds short handed. The penalty killing was superb and the goaltending of Michael deJong was flawless as the Bulldogs evened the series at one win apiece with this 4-3 win. The intensity continues this week as Thedford hosts game three tonight, Wednesday, March 15 at 8 p.m. The Bulldogs host game four this Saturday, March 18 at 8 p.m. If necessary, game five is scheduled for Thedford on Sunday, March 19 at 6:15 p.m. Come one and hear the Bulldogs growl as they try to claw their way to a series victory. penalty with 30 seconds left in the third. To try and counter this penalty they called for a stick check against Blyth but ended up with another two minutes for delay of game. They were able to fend off Blyth's offence for the remaining seconds of the third and Blyth looked forward to the 10 minutes of overtime that follows a playoff game. Milverton, however argued that overtime is not in the rules. So the referees were asked to make a decision. They elected to side with Milverton and refused the 10 minute overtime. The players for Blyth then started to make their way to the dressing room. A call was made to the league president who confirmed to the referees and Milverton management that Blyth was right and that 10 minutes of overtime must be played. It was decided that this 10 minutes would be played back in Blyth before the start of the second game. In Blyth the players prepared for the overtime period. This 10 minutes was very critical and would probably set the pace for the regulation game that would follow. Milverton came out strong and scored the first goal but Blyth followed with two of their own thus settling the first game 9 - 8. Game number two was played to a 6-3 advantage for Blyth thus ending the series two straight. In the second series against IVIonkton;Blyth again did the job in two straight with wins of 5 - 3, and 8 - 2. The WOMHA finals begin in Blyth March 13. Irish eyes will definitely be smiling this Friday, March 17 in Blyth as the Midget Bulldogs host their 'Relive The Dream' Reunion hockey game. This will be the major fundraiser for the Bulldogs who are currently raising funds to help offset the players' trip costs for the Lake Placid Cup Tournament in which they are entered. The tournament takes place in the village of Lake Placid, New York on April 13 - 16. The 'Relive The Dream' Reunion hockey game will feature the only two Blyth OMHA Championship teams - the 71-72 PeeWees against the 92-93 Bantams. This promises to be a night of fun and fellowship as the players and fans reunite to share fond memories of years past. The game is set for 8:30 p.m. at the Blyth and District Community Centre, which has graciously donated the ice time. Jack Lee, a long-time Blyth referee whose antics in the striped shirt were enjoyed by both teams at some point in their minor hockey careers, will drop the ceremonial puck to start the contest. Former referee Dave Cook recently passed an eye examination and will be making a one game comeback to officiate the spectacle. The fundraising highlight could very well be the stick auction during the second period intermission. Auctioneer Burt Lobb has offered to auction the two sticks that the Bulldogs have acquired. Easton Sports Canada has donated an Easton aluminum stick autographed _by Wayne Gretzky while the Toronto Maple Leafs have donated a Doug Gilmour autographed stick. The rink should be abuzz with excitement. The Bulldogs have also accumu- lated well over $1,000 worth of hockey merchandise that they will be selling tickets on throughout the weekend. The draw will take place on Saturday, March 18 at 4 p.m. during the Blyth Lions Novice Tournament. Prizes are still arriving daily and will include donations from Gretzky's Restaurant, the Stars, Flyers, Oilers, Bruins, Canadiens, Knights, Storm, The Hockey News, OHL, NHL Enterprises, CAHA, InGlasCo, Hockey Hall of Fame, Gordie Howe, Dave Shaw, ECHL and Pinnacle Brands hockey cards to name a few. These donations include crested Did you know that one in eight Canadian seniors has a visual impairment? T-shirts, sweatshirts, autographed pucks, autographed photos, jerseys, lithographs, autographed sticks, hats, The Hockey News subscrip- tion, street hockey equipment, hockey cards, posters and tickets to the Hockey Hall of Fame. Come to the rink on Friday and Saturday to view the merchandise and buy tickets on this impressive display of hockey memorabilia. Door prizes to be won at the 'Relive The Dream' Reunion game will be a team autographed London Knights game stick, a one year subscription to The Hockey News as well as 10 hockey posters donated by the Norman James Corporation. Some of the other Bulldog fundraising efforts to date have included an NHL Winning Goal Draw and 50/50 Cash Draws at all Bulldog home games. For a $1 donation the team is distributing team ribbons which purchasers can wear with pride to show their support. Cash donations have also been received from the Blyth Legion Ladies Auxiliary, the Bluewater Shrine Club and the Blyth Legion. Organizers hope that community spirit will help fill the arena to not only help the Midget Bulldogs realize one of their season goals but to also honour Blyth's only two OMHA Championship teams — the 71-72 Pee Wees and the 92-93 Bantams. You need not be a hockey fan to enjoy the evening's entertainment. The Bulldogs appreciate the community's support throughout the season and look forward to an exciting 'Relive The Dream' Reunion hockey game and Hockey Memorabilia Sale. TOWNSHIP OF HULLETT MINOR BALL REGISTRATION WHERE: Londesboro Community Hall, Londesboro Auburn Library, Auburn WHEN: Saturday, April 1, 1995 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Registration Forms can be picked up at Hullett Central Public School or at Radford's Farm Equipment in Londesboro. Blyth Bantams play in finals