HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1999-01-06, Page 7S portsV
THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 6,1999. PAGE 7.
Bantam Bulldogs win 3, lose 1
Erom the sidelines
An inevitable part of hockey
By Hugh
Nichol
The Brussels
Bulls are en
route to the
worst finish in
their 16-year
history and once
again the ques
tion will arise on the feasibility of
Ontario’s Prettiest Village to support
junior hockey.
Whether by bad management, bad
luck, or simply the law of average
repaying the Bulls for past success,
the fall into the lower echelon of
Western Jr "C" hockey did not
happen overnight.
Since the Bulls last trip to the
league final in 1995 they have won
less than 20 games total, but
remained playoff pretenders because
of their ability to finish ahead of the
equally inept Wiarton Wolves.
Unfortunately this year's record
(to date the Bulls have a single
victory) will not be surpassed and
the result could signal the end of
OHA hockey at the BMG arena.
Hopefully before making any
decision management will look
closely at how neighbouring
opponents have survived the same
situation facing the present day
Bulls.
For example, when Kincardine
made a return to junior hockey in
1995 they finished with a 3-26-1
won-loss-tie record. Since then they
have two Western Jr "C" League
Championship banners and an All
Ontario Final appearance.
The Seaforth Centennaires opened
the 1980s with a 3-25-6 record and
closed it with a two-year total of 5-
62-5. In between they won the 1986
All-Ontario Jr ”D" championship,
while the Mitchell Hawks suffered
through a 1-32-1 season before
eventually winning back-to-back
championships in 1993 and 1994.
In 1980-81 the Mt Brydges
Bulldogs lost all 32 games played.
Three years later they hoisted the Jr
PeeWees beat Hensail, Bayfield
In Rep WOAA play in late
December, the Blyth PeeWees took
victories from Hensall and Bay
field.
The team welcomed Hensall to
town, Dec. 23, but quickly found
themselves down a goal.
They captured the lead a few
minutes later and never relin
quished it. Andy Toll, off a pass
from Micah Loder scored at 9:56
and T.J. Marks, with assistance
from Kirk Slewart, added a second
at 5:32.
Hensall lied the score at two
early in the second period before
Blyth surged ahead.
Ncttcrs from Marks, Mike Bean
and Neil Salverda put the homc-
towners up 5- 2. Assists went to
Cole Stewart, Toll and Trover
Koehler.
Hensall recaptured one al 12:49
of the third, but a solo effort by
Loder al 9:02 of the third lopped
off the 6-3 score.
The PeeWees look on Bayfield
Dec. 28, doubling their opponents.
Blyth got the jump on the scoring
when T.J. Marks slapped one past
the goalie at 13:39 of the first
"D" Championship trophy while the
London Knights were last year's
OHL West Division Champions
only two years after posting a
Canadian Major "A" futility record
of 3-60-3.
The Listowei Cyclones have
struggled throughout their Jr ”B"‘
history, hitting rock bottom with
four wins in 1985 and two in 1986.
Yet the Cyclones continue to
survive because of the existence of
teams such as the Oshweken Golden
Eagles who last season recorded a
single point in 48 games. Their
ability to convince players, fans, and
financial supporters that simply
making the playoffs is a successful
season, differs from the Stratford
Cullitons who consider anything
less than a league championship a
disappointment.
The lowest winning percentage in
NHL history belongs to the
Washington Capitals. Their 1975
totals for fewest wins (eight), fewest
points (21) and longest consecutive
losing streak (17 games including
11 on home ice) are NHE records
that even our beloved Toronto
Maple Leafs cannot match. It may
surprise you that despite years of
inefficient management practices
the Leafs have only finished in the
basement twice during the last 50
years, although they are the one
remaining Original Six team to
have never reached the Stanley Cup
finals since the 1967 expansion.
Will the Bulls survive? If the
team's attitude is healthy and the
future shows promise of an early
return to respectability a few years
of mediocrity should not be the
reason to concede defeat. While the
community has always voiced their
support for the Bulls, however, it is
possible that the absence of a major
sponsor, a minor hockey system that
is struggling in numbers and one of
the smallest population bases of any
junior club may eventually take the
decision out of the hands of the
people.
though Bayfield tied it up before
the end of the frame.
Down 2-1 in the second, Blyth
retaliated with two, one each from
C. Slewart and Ryan McClinchey.
Assists were earned by
McClinchey and Loder.
Blyth widened the lead through
the early going of the third with
Loder scoring two and Toll adding
one before the 10-minute mark.
Bayfield capped off the scoring
with their third at 2:30.
The final tally was 6-3.
Curling
results
Winners of the Brussels Curling
Club Christmas jitney were: first,
Tom Warwick, Bob Alexander,
Ann Uhler, Mark Gillis; second,
Merv Bauer, Fran Bremner, Wayne
Alexander, Donna Bauer; third,
Orville Bauer, Nora Stephenson,
Steve Bowles, Kendall Jutzi;
fourth, Mike Alexander, Doris
Fischer, Susan Carter.
Over the past couple of weeks
the Blyth Bantam Bulldogs added
one loss, to Elma Logan, and three
wins to their regular roster, over
Hensall (twice) and Mitchell.
The holiday season found the
Bulldogs embroiled in the
Kincardine Silver Stick Tourna
ment. Their first game against a
familiar foe, Milverton, ended in a
3-3 tie, giving each team a point.
Both teams had their share of
"time outs" in the penalty box with
no scoring from either side during
the first period.
Opening the scoring in the
second period for Blyth was Scott
Austin assisted by Jeremy Austin
and Jeff Carter. The third saw
Blyth's Captain Craig Marks clunk
in a couple of goals, one assisted by
Derek Cook, the other unassisted,
but with Milverton adding their
Beginners play opener
The Blyth Beginner Bulldogs had
their first two games over the
holidays. The Bulldogs travelled to
Lucknow on Dec. 19.
The hard-working Lucknow team
was no match for the fast skating
Bulldogs. For being the young pups
first game this year, it was a
pleasant surprise to see how they
controlled the play and came out of
the game with a shutout.
The next game was at home on
Saturday, Jan. 2 against a highly-
regarded Mildmay team, who have
been playing games since mid
November. The Mildmay team
started the scoring second shift into
the game, but this was just a wake
up call to the Dogs.
The next shift out Tyler
Stevenson won the draw cleanly
and danced around the defence,
went in and scored with a nice
wrist shot.
Things were starting to happen
fast and furious, so fast in fact no
one knows who or how the
Bulldogs scored their second goal.
The young "pups" were starting
to show their good skating and
puck-handling skills now. Matt
Chalmers used his wheels to out-
skate the visitor to the puck and
with a nifty pass to Adam Cronin,
the puck went into the net for one
of Adam's three goals.
Trevor Raynard then broke up a
potential three-on-one by diving in
front of the puck. Scott Sippel
picked up the loose puck, skated in
and potted one of his two of the
day.
Mildmay was not about to give
up. Halfway through the game they
scored their second goal, which
Novices
trounced
17-3
It was a rough outing lor the
Blyth Novice Reps when they look
to the ice in Zurich, Dec. 23.
With three goals in the first, four
in the second and 10 in the third,
Blyth was trounced 17-3.
Scoring for Blyth was Kendall
Whitfield, Richard Gregg and Tony
Bean. Trevor McArtcr, Blake Hes-
sclwood and Devin Jenkins earned
assists.
The squad played a clean game
with no penalties.
own three goals to end the game in
a tie.
Game number two against Ripley
also ended in a 4-4 tie. Blyth goals
were scored by Jeremy Anderson,
Matt Bromley, Shaun Henry and at
the final buzzer from the hash mark
by Matt Anderson. Assisting the
goal scorers were S. Austin, C.
Marks, Anderson and Andrew Toll.
On Dec. 28 in game number
three, the Bulldogs were pitted
against a plucky Normanby team
and knew they would have to chalk
up a win to advance to the quarter
finals. The final score was in
Blyth's favour 5-2.
Twine bulgers for this game were
Cook (three) and Anderson (two)
assisted by Devon Shannon, Toll,
Marks, Anderson and Cook.
The quarter final game held the
next day was against Arthur. Blyth
had their paws full against this
seemed to give them life. But then
the hard back-checking of Kirby
Cook, Matthew and Aaron Popp
and a stellar two-pad save by
Connor Prescott seemed to settle
the visitors back down.
Then the hard skating of Tyler
Black, Tyler Middegaal and Lukas
Witherspoon helped set up Collin
Whitfield's goal.
Mildmay came out and scored
late in the game for their third and
final goal. Stevenson went and
scored the final goal of the game
and his fourth of the day. The final
score was 11-3 for the Bulldogs
who now have a record of two for
two on the year.
The Beginner Bulldogs head to
Wingham on Jan. 19 to take on
another fast-skating team.
LHEALTH on the hillj
A Review of activities at
SEAFORTH COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
GREETING TO ALL as 1998 winds down, the Management and Staff
of Seaforth Community Hospital wish to extend their Best Wishes for
Health and Happiness in the New Year. May you experience the
peace and goodwill of this Holiday Season.
WELCOME to Bonnie Adamson, President and CEO, Huron Perth
Hospitals Partnership and her new Executive Assistant, Joanne
Gallagher.
"MORNING OUT" whether it’s your first baby or third, etc. New
Parent support Service is there to meet your parenting needs. Karen
Searle, Facilitator welcomes you each Fff/DAY morning 10:00-11:30
a.m. at the Seaforth Hospital OBS Dept. Childcare is available by pre
registering (527-3001) older siblings no later than Wednesday noon
of each week. Why not come out and socialize, problem solve and
share your role as parents in a comfortable, relaxed atmosphere?
Nest Session: Friday, January 8, 1999.
CANCER SUPPORT GROUP a self-help program, offered at no cost,
provides support and practical information by trained facilitators to
patients, families and friends through informal discussion groups.
You are invited to join us to talk or just listen. No registration is
needed and you are welcome to come as often as you wish. For
information contact Joan Chesney 527-1650 or Shirley Dinsmore at
527-0655.
BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT GROUP sponsored by Huron Hospice
Volunteer Service will meet Wed., JANUARY 6, 1999 (bi-monthly
meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday of every month)
at 8:00 p.m. @ Maplewood Manor, Church Street, Seaforth (enter
through rear door off parking lot). Anyone interested is most
welcome to attend. For further information, contact Joan Stewart
522-0897 or Shirley Dinsmore; Office: 527-0655 Res. 527-1005.
aggressive, well-disciplined team.
The final score of 4-2 was to
Arthur's benefit.
Marks notched both Blyth goals
assisted by Anderson, S. Austin
and Cook. Arthur advanced to the
finals.
The Bulldogs Manager Doug
Walker spoke for the coaching staff
to voice their pride of the actions of
the team both on and off the ice.
"They're a great bunch of boys with
a lot of heart and they cefrtainly left
the dressing room pleased with
their efforts."
SHARP DEALS
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USED CARS
Great Savings on These
Used Cars & Trucks.
Some One
Owner Low Mileage.
1995 Taurus Station Wagon - air
conditioning
1995 Chev Silverado Pickup -
loaded
1993 Olds Delta 88 LS, loaded
1992 Dodge Spirit ■ 4 dr., loaded
1992 Dodge Grand Caravan LE -
loaded
1988 Chev Caprice Brougham -
4 door, loaded
1988 Dodge Aries Wagon -
4 door, low mileage
1988 Ford Tempo - 4 dr.,
automatic, air
HAMM’S
BLYTH
PHONE 523-4342