The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutTimes-Advocate, 1996-04-10, Page 18Page 18 Times -Advocate, April 10, 1996 Stepheff A toms and 'ee wees make hockey history Great hockey action in Stephen Stephen Township Atoms demonstrate their happiness after their all -Ontario 'E'. championship on Sunday at the Stephen Township arena. Above, Kenny Tilley, Jesse Schroeder, Colin Sauder and . Scott Davies accept the championship plaque from DMHA representative. Dick Bennett. At right, the Atom team celebrate after their final win. Below, Stephen Peewee players Rob Sandwith, Cal deLange, Adam Glavin and Brian Sfuckless fight for the puck in front of their goalie Chris Glavin. We need to work as a team and obviously you did too! STEPHEN TWP. FIREFIGHTERS ASSOC. 7eamworkeertainfy helped you accomplish yourgoals E__ MAS.] FARM EQUIPMENT • EXETER, ONTARIO Sales, Service it Rentals since 1832 (619) FAX on) 235-2121 235-2791 CASE lit HURON PARK - The aim in,Huron Park was the site of a dual All -Ontario Championship series over the Baster weekend featuring the Stephen Township Atom aiid Peewee rep teams. Both Stephen teams were heading for their second consecutive provincial titles playing in the OMHA "1' finals in a twin series with the last games scheduled to be played in Stephen: Last year, Stephen Township Minor Hockey enjoyed a remarkable season when the Atoms and Peewees each brought home Otrio Championships after sweeping their opponents in three games. The two teams were poised to repeat their performance this year winning back-to-back championships for the first time in Stephen Minor Hockey history. • The Peewees Last year the Stephen Peewees beat Cayugain the semi-finals and went on to defeat Port Carling for the All - Ontario Championship. Their quest for the provincial title in 1996 led them down a similar road. After beating Wallace in three straight games they then defeated Blyth in a four game series and captured the WOAA finals (OMHA quarter finals) downing Tiverton in a three game sweep. That set the stage for a semi- final match -up between them and Cayuga whom they defeated easily in three games pitting the Peewees against Port Carling in the finals for the second time in as many years. However, the outcome this time around was different. After splitting their two games on the road with a tie and a win, Stephen lost the next three games at home and had to settle for a silver medal after losing the fifth and final game on Sunday. Despite the loss, the series was a lot closer than it looked. Three of the five games went into overtime with each teatn claiming, one.for the , , s while the .,,bended in a -tie, and ilone'of Step :,.2were ',Complete blow outs. Even in th s Mine when ;was shut out, they played hard right Until the last buzzer sounded and took the loss with dignity and honor. "You have to give the guys credit, they had them up against the ropes leading the series three points to one," said assistant coach Dick Lord who said the 5-4 Toss in game four was the turning point in the series. "If that game would have ended in a tie the outcome would have been different." Overall, Lord said the coaching staff was happy with the team's performance throughout the year which carried them into the playoffs. "We made it to the provincial fmals and we were three points away from winning it. You have to take into consideration the hard work and dedication it taken to set these," said Lord. "You can't hang your head .: for coming 1n second in the All -Ontario The Atoms �! Winning the All-Onta io Championships caret easy for the Atoms last year. Theybeat Ops . Tbwnship twice in Stephen before taking the thi and final game on the road to clinch the provincial "E" title in a clean sweep. After finishing their regular season this year with, an incredible 57-9-2 win/loss/tit record it seemed as if the Atoms were destined to do well in the playoffs and that's exactly what they did. They received a bye in the first round and defeated Bayfield in two games straight during the t second round. The Atoms ran Into a tough team from Zurich who went the full distance with Stephen stretching their series to a full five games with the fifth and final game being decided in overtime. The close victory over Zurich launched Stephen into the WOAA finals (OMHA Quarterfinals) where they defeated Keady in a three game sweep.' The Atoms then went on to meet Cayuga in the semi-finals beating them in four games and prepared to face-off against Woodville for the All - Ontario finals. The first two games against Woodville were played bn the road with each team claiming a victory. With the next three games scheduled in Stephen, the Atoms were prepared to win the series on their home ice and started by beating them convincingly in game three on Friday. However, the game was overturned when Woodville • protested the game complaining about an illegal official on the Stephen bench. OMHA representatives awarded Woodville with the win forcing a fifth game in the series.• Undaunted by the decision, the Stephen Atoms replied in fine fashion winning the next two games settling any argument over who was the better team. The fact that the Atoms had to beat Woodville four times in a five game series didn't bother the '. players or the coaches. "We proved our point on the scoreboard and on t the ice...and we did it with class," said coach Bev Thompson during the post -game celebration. 4gEN OR H 0 Great year Stephen Twp.! ALBATROSS 7 A7\. TAVERN INDUSTRIAL PARK HURON PARK .... 228-6733 Congratulations Stephen Tup. ! You deserve the recognition! OVERHOLT Consulting & Software Business Systems & ikftware Consulting O Mainframe or PC O Systerns Anotytis & Design tenonce DAN O'VERHOL� Development � X730 Mole) St. S. • (519) 2351463 Exeter, Ont. NAM ISI Stephen Township has proven they kavegreat hockey players Pat O'Rourke coLQWCU. BANKCR 12 COLWELL RANKER AU. -POINTS REALTY SERVICES 147 MAIN ST. EXETER, oNT. P5-1 449 .al�ttU� son credits their prov ►fel hampions ; 3 cation shiAlby all ' -of the pointed out that all 'players ;V( it out for 66 • out of a 68 game season with three players boasting perfect attendance records. �. "That goes for the parents too. They are the ones who support them and drive them to their practices and games," added Thompson. This was the first time the Atoms won two consecutive provincial titles and it's the closest two teams from the Stephen Minor Hockey Association came to winning back-to-back championships. With the strength of their system growing every year and the talent on these two teams progressing through the levels, minor hockey executives guarantee it won't be the last. there is certainly somegreat hockey talent in Stephen Twp. EXETER PRODUCE & STORAGE CO. LTD. HWY. #83 • 235-0141 We are proud of alfour Stephen, 7ownsFiip Hockey Players! HURON 'PARK FOOD TOWN 22790 frmgoan, Steve anrfSta Great hockey weekeniffor everyone involved' VERT TRUCKING INC. 245 McConnell St. Exeter 235-0149