Times-Advocate, 1996-04-10, Page 17STEPHEN TOWNSHIP ATOM "NIGHTMARES" 1995.96 ON?A1O "E° CHAYPIONS
The Stephen Twp. Atom `Nightmares' were the All -Ontario Atom "E" champions in Stephen on Sunday with a hard-fought 42 win over
Woodville. Shown after their win, back left to right: trainer Tony Michielsen, . Jason Stuckless, Jesse McCann, coach Bev Thompson, Jesse
Schroeder,. asst. coach Jamie Wilson, Kenny Tilley and manager Ron Johnson. Front, Colin Sauder, Wes Johnson, Roman Wilson, Scott
Davies, Shawn Thompson, Ryan Knee and Dane Michlelsen.
Stephen Atomswin all -Ontario championship
By Chris Skalkos
T -A Reporter
STEPHEN TWP. - There are 11 young hockey players in Stephen Township
holding their heads high this week with good reason.
They're All -Ontario Champions.
The Stephen Township Atoms clinched the Ontario Minor Hockey Association
division "E" finals on Sunday after sweeping Woodville in the championship series.
Stephen hosted the last half of series after splitting two games in Woodville Iast
weekend with a win and a loss.
With the five game series tied at one, both teams battled feverishly for the go
ahead game•on Fridditwith manyshots on both ends of the rink, but Stephen's goal
scbrers were the onlyones finding the bull's eye beating Woodville 6-1. Kenny
Tilley, Jesse Schroeder and Ryan Knee scored for Stephen. They were led by
Roman Wilson who notched the hat trick.
Scott Davies recorded three assists, Colin Sauder had two and Wes Johnson,
Shawn Thompson and Schroeder each had one.
Goalie Dane Michielsen was robbed of a well-deserved shut out making save
after save but Woodville managed to squeak one in before the game was out.
At that point Stephen led the series four points to two and were poised to take
the. title with a win the next day, but Stephen coaches'were greeted with disturbing
news on Saturday. Woodville protested Friday's game complaining Stephen had an
illegal official on the bench. As a result OMHA officials stripped Stephen of the
win and awarded Woodville the victory tieing the series at four points each forcing
th game on Sunday.
aturday's game was played amidst a whirlwind of controversy, however, that
didn't affect the Stephen players as they beat their opponents 6-4 in what would
have been the championship match.
After a slow start Stephen found themselves trailing Woodville 4-1, however, the
Atoms rallied to come back led by Schroeder who pumped in two goals and '
followed by Davies, Knee and Wilson who tallied for one each.
Wilson also recorded two assists as did, Jason Stuckless. Davies, Tilley and
Schroeder also added an assist.
Due to the Woodville protest, the game started in controversy and ended in the
same vein. Unhappy with a call made by the referee late in the game, Woodville
fans hurled debris at him and some were hanging over the glass shouting obscene
threats.
The unruly mob that was forming on the Woodville. side of the arena prompted
OMHA representative Jack Twolan to step on the ice and cancel the game.
'There was going to be trouble if 1 didn't," said Twolan.
The stage was set for Sunday's showdown and the victor would walk away with
the provincial title. •
Undaunted by the controversy and hooliganism by Woodville, Stephen leaped
into the game with an unprecedented hunger and determination. They came out
flying and jumped to an early lead in the first period after Jesse McCann scored on
a three way passing play. Wilson pumped one through the five -hole on a wrist shot
moments later to move his team into a two -goal lead.
Woodville was obviously frustrated by Stephen goalie Dane Michielsen who
stood tall between the pipes turning away shot after shot. His quick reflexes and
confidence prevailed through the many scrambles that took place in front of his net.
However, Woodville managed to score after a shot struck him,on his face mask
and bounced in the net late in the game. They scored again a short time later and
seemed like they were ready to mount a comeback after wrapping two shots off the
post and one off the crossbar; However, Sauder picked up a pass at centre ice and
broke in alone beating the Woodville goalie on a fancy side-to-side deke. Schroeder
also scored on a breakaway lifting the puck past the goalie with a quick wrist shot
in front of the net. Schroeder and Saucerw picked up assists as did Davies
and McCann. rra..i .t �1c 1 iu v rh �'[> tri ;I ::leu.)
The -team effort resulted in a resounding 4-42"w1n for Stephen whoaccce
gold medals after the game and paraded the championship plaque around the ice in
front of their friends and family who stood in the stands cheering.
"I'm ecstatic!" said coach Bev Thompson after the
final game. "I'm really happy for the kids. They
showed a lot of character to win this."
Jamie Wilson, assistant coach shared T'hompson's
feelings.
"I'm really proud of them for coming back [during
Saturday's game). I was in tears after the game and I
haven't cried, in 25 years," he added.
Manager, Ron Johnson said the Atoms stuck to their
game plan and it paid off in flying colors. Woodville
had relied on three players for most of their points and
the coaching staff knew shutting them down would be
the key to winning.
"They all knew what they had to do and they did it.
They stopped their three biggest goal scorers but they
couldn't do the same for us ...we have six forwards
who could skate and they couldn't key in on all of
them," said Johnson.
This is the second consecutive provincial title for
the Stephen Atoms. They beat Ops Township last year
after sweeping them in the final series winning two at
home and the last game away.
Winning it this year Stephen Township was special
for the team and for the parents and fans who have
supported them throughout the season. The four
players, Davies, Schroeder, Tilley and Sauder who
played on last year's championship squad all
agree...it's a lot more fun winning the All -Ontario
Championship at home than on the road.
ASST COACH JAMIE'AILSO'ti
THE BUSINESSES HERE ARE PROUD TO CONGRATULATE STEPHEN TWP. ON :A SUCCESSFUL YEAR
Sportsrnansfiip eh'7eamwork
- Winning Combination!
DASHWOOD
237-3789
Stephen Twp. is certain&
one of Ontario's best!
DOUGLAS LIGHTFOOT
R.R. #1
Crediton, Ontario
234-6287
•
Congratulations to
the Stepfien Twp.winners
PERRY'S DRYWALL
Prince Alfred Centralia 228-6837
.1..IM.,N
Congratulations to the prayers: and
coaching staff for
a championship year.
rIhanks for an wiring time had 6y ail
Looking forward to seeing the Hair Cuts.
L Straight Line Collision
157 Elgin St. Centralia 228-6114
•
.•
Times -Advocate, April 10, 1996 Pak' I/
10,,. .4 i
COACH BEV THOMPSON
RYAN KNEE
SHAWN THOMPSON
COLIN SALJDER
JASON STUCKLESS
J
DANE MICHIELSEN
TNR TONY MICHIELSEN
We are all very proud' of you
on agreat victory
McCANN REDI. MIX INC.
R.R.3 Dashwood
237-3647
We anew you could do it!
CORBETT FEEDS
R.R.#8 Parkhill, Ontario
294-0230
You are .the Champions
GLANVILLE TOWING
• & REPiRS
Huron r.m, Ontario 2284708
•