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The Citizen, 2000-03-22, Page 8PAGE 8, THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22, 2000. Novices capture B championship Erom the sidelines Beware the Ides of March By Hugh Nichol Beware the Ides of March, a famous quota­ tion from a Shakespearean play, may influence the fate of intermediate hockey in midwestern Ontario for just as Julius Caesar ruled the ancient Roman empire so too has Durham ruled the WOAA Senior Hockey League. However, for only the second time in their 12-year history the Thundercats will not be participating in the senior hockey playoff championship round, upset in a semi-final series by an emotionally-charged powder-keg of talent known as the Palmerston 81s. The Thundercats, the league’s oldest continually active franchise, were founded in and originally named the 72s in honour of Durham’s centennial year. Hoping to capitalize on the popularity of a children’s television show the name was changed in 1988 and the local arena unofficially renamed the Thunderdome. What followed was an almost complete domination of intermediate hockey in our area. In the last 12 years the Cats have lost only 82 of 428 total games played, finished in first place seven times, and won the Poulton Insurance Brokers trophy emblematic WOAA senior hockey supremacy eight times. There are three reasons in my mind that make Durham the icon of the senior hockey program. Number one is familiarity and stability behind the bench, for the Cats steadfastly believe in promoting from within. Dennis Graham, the main architect of the Thundercats spent nine seasons as head coach before naming Randy Reay his successor. Bulldogs take on Keady The Blyth Atom Bulldogs met Keady March 15 for the second game in their best-of-five series. Darcey Cook got things started, sneaking a backhander past the Keady goalie. Blake Hesselwood and John Bokhout assisted. Bokhout scored just over two min­ utes later on a one-timer set up by Cook and Hesselwood. Devin Jenk­ ins lifted a backhander by the goalie before the first buzzer on a solo effort. Tied at three with five minutes left in the second, Cook took a pass from Hesselwood and skated in alone on the Keady goaltender, sur­ prising him with a top comer shot. Kody Reid closed out the scoring for the Bulldogs when he picked up a Cook pass in front of the net and blasted a shot at the goal. Hessel­ wood got an assist. Joel Salverda kept the Atoms in the game, frustrating the Keady players with several outstanding saves. Up two games to none, Blyth welcomed Keady to town, March 18. Cook scored on a feed from Bokhout, beating the Keady back- Reay had played 12 seasons in a Durham uniform then assisted for three more while Carl Schaefer was the defense co-ordinator for 12 seasons before his promotion. Today’s bench boss Todd Stoddart although lacking in coaching experience is a veteran of 14 winters and is Durham’s all-time leading scorer. The second reason is senior hockey’s best player development program. While many junior teams have been accused of ruining a centre’s minor hockey system Durham views both the Hanover and Mount Forest Jr C teams as simply extensions of their organization. This practice has allowed the Thundercats to forgo the temptation of signing imports and concentrate on the locals. The players in turn acknowledge the loyalty shown by giving a total commitment and while individuality is allowed it must fall within the team concept. This explains why since 1984 only two Durham players have won the scoring title. The third reason is unbelievable financial and fan support. The fact that a town of less than 2,500 people supported two intermediate teams for 20 years and even today can supply enough revenue for both a senior and the Provincial Jr A Huskies is a tribute to the municipalities hockey and community spirit. As for the Ides of March both Caesar and Durham ruled by the sword and while Caesar died by his the reports of a Thundercat death may be greatly exaggerated. They are however no longer defending champions or even finalists and the question is can the league handle the consequences of this failure? A Thundercat has nine lives and just as the memory of Caesar haunted Brutus until his death so too may the possibility of a Durham revenge prove ominous for the WOAA Senior Hockey League. stop at 1:10 of the first. Hesselwood scored just 10 sec­ onds into the second period on a pass from Bokhout. Albrechtas completed the Blyth attack at 2:47 of the middle frame with a high wrist-shot past a bewildered goalie. Elliott made many outstanding glove and pad saves to lead the Continued on page 9 Soccer <& Baseball Registration WEDNESDAY, MARCH 22 7:30 - 9:00 p.m. SATURDAY, MARCH 25 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon at the Blyth Public School Soccer for boys and girls ages 6-17 Team for 18+ For more information on soccer call Herb Van Amersfoort at 523-4202 & on ball call Karen McClinchey at 526-7158 The Brussels Novices were kept sharp last week, playing four play­ off games as well as participating in the Bayfield tournament. The third game in their best-of- five series against Drayton for the B championship in the Lobster Cup went March 12. Drayton had won the first two contests. Brussels took a 2-0 lead through two periods due to goals from Tyler Deitner and Tom Cronin. Assists went to Wade Stephenson, Evan Ducharme and Deitner. The visitors could not hold their lead as Drayton scored twice in mid-frame. The teams took a tie after a 10- minute overtime period, keeping Brussels’ hopes alive. Drayton came in March 14, hop­ ing to end the series. However, Brussels was ready. A Stephenson goal at 9:23 of the first opened the scoring. Assists went to Cody Sub­ ject and Cronin. Drayton tied the game at one before the end of the second peri­ od. Deitner took a pass from Andrew Baker and Stephenson and put the puck across the line with just 4:23 remaining. The squad held on for the win. The following day, Brussels repeated the achievement, taking Drayton 2-1. The home team got on the board first, but Stephenson evened the tally with 20 seconds left in the middle frame. Zachery Hoegy got the assist. The game-winner and series­ tying goal was scored by Stephen­ son at 3:54 of the third. Assists went to Subject and Deitner. Atoms tie Wednesday night the Brussels Atom Rep met Chesley for the first time this season. With a reduced lineup due to March break, the team played with only three defensemen as one of them moved up to play on the forward line. Chesley started the scoring in the first period with only 17 seconds left. At the 2:13 mark in the second period, Matt White finally put one over the shoulder of the Chesley goalie to score the first Brussels goal. Assists went to Andrew McDonald and Mitch Blake. However, the opposing team managed to get their second goal 11 seconds later. With just over three minutes left in the third period, Chase Chapman let a slap shot go from the blue line and scored to even it up. Assists on that goal came from White and Cory Chapman. The score remained tied at two. The final game of this round robin play will be in Lucknow on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. The Brussels win forced a sixth game in Brussels, March 18. Though Brussels battled hard, with super effort by all the players, they came up just a little short. With goals by Baker and Stephen­ son, Brussels took a 2-2 tie into the final minute of the game. Drayton got one by the netminder with 58 seconds on the clock. Deitner, Stephenson and Baker earned assists. The squad also played three games in the Bayfield tournament, March 17, taking home the B championship. The Bulls were shutout by Bay- field in the opener, downed 5-0, Moving to the B-side, they slid by Mitchell 3-2. BRUSSELS SENIOR SOCCER REGISTRATION TO SIGN UP CONTACT 1. Maxine Houston 887-6816 2. Rolf Frichknecht 357-1064 3. Mike Cronin 887-9158 SOCCER FEE $55.00 ETHEL MINOR BALL REGISTRATION Saturday, April 1 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Tuesday, April 4 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Saturday, April 8 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Ethel Fire Hall or call Brenda at 887-6153 or Dianne at 887-9442 Thurs., March 23 ~ 6 to 8 Sat., March 25 -10 to 1 At Hullett Central Public School, Londesboro Phone Karen Dolmage at 523-4726 for more information Here's Our Pitch... Brussels Minor Ball is looking for volunteers to ^organize and run A the upcoming sb- season. Help rejuvenate the sport with new ideas. Give our youth the opportunity to play ball in their own hometown. Without your help there will be NO BALL SEASON To volunteer...call John Harrison at 887-9865 After a see-saw battle through the first two periods, Cronin’s goal at 3:22 of the third sealed the win. Cronin also tallied the first netter and Stephenson added one. Baker earned an assist. Brussels met Tiverton in the B final, seeing them take the early lead. Brussels got into the game in the second when Cronin scored on a solo effort and Stephenson notched one at 8:28 of the third. A Tiverton goal half a minute later pushed the game into over­ time. A pass from Ducharme and Stephenson put Baker in position to score the winner with 5:17 remain­ ing. BELGRAVE MINOR SOFTBALL REGISTRATION at the Belgrave Community Centre Thurs., March 30 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. Sat., April 1 10:00 to 12:00 Noon For more information contact Cam Procter 887-6443 Hullett Minor Ball Registration