The Highlander and Ed Smolen Family Dentistry Storm Midgets move onto the second round of playoffs by winning Game five against the Shelburne Wolves Sunday Jan. 27. It was a tough start for the Midgets losing the first two games against the Wolves. However when it was time to raise the bar the Midgets did exactly what was needed to win the next three games straight. The Storm Midgets came out strong to a filled Haliburton arena Saturday Jan. 26 down 2-1 in the series. It was their game from the puck drop and they demolished the Shelburne Wolves 6-0.
They stayed consistent with two goals each period and shut out the Wolves from their zone. Smith got things going in the first with a hard drive to the net and a quick top corner goal. Assisted by Vasey and Walker. Next team captain Walker started the rush he skillfully manoeuvred through the defence and fired in the second goal. Another couple of goals in second period by Haedicke and Clements then it was MacNaull and Clements again in the third period. The Wolves were baffled by the Storm and Sisson nabbed a well-earned shutout win.
Game five was a do or die game for both teams and they came out flying in the scoreless first period. Late in the second period Clements rushed to the net and blasted a shot Morissette was right behind to pick up the rebound for the Storm’s first goal. That goal boosted the Storm into action. Minutes later MacNaull drove hard to the net for a shot Davies picked up that rebound for the second goal. The third period was full of aggressive end to end action. The Storm team did well keeping the Wolves out. Late in the game Robinson stole the puck got a breakaway and capitalized with a goal. With just a few minutes left in the game the Storm team sealed the series with another goal. While dominating the play in the Wolves zone Walker ripped a shot and Gilbert is there to put it away. The Wolves got lucky with a minute on the clock and made it a 4-1 final. A well deserved 3-2 series win for the Storm Midgets. They now move onto the second round of playoffs against the Stayner Cyclones.
By Suzanne Haedicke
The Pepper Mill Steak and Pasta House Highland Storm Bantam team were granted a bye through the first round of playoffs. They started in the quarter-finals this past weekend taking on the Shelburne Wolves. They travelled to Shelburne on Saturday Jan. 26 for their first game. Goals were scored this weekend by Mathias Lee and Gage Hutchinson with assists going to Evan Armstrong Kolby McGovern Kyan Hall and Jackson Wilson. Unfortunately the Storm were unable to defeat the Wolves with the final score of 7-2. The Bantams will be back at it next weekend for Game two of the series on Feb. 2 at 5 p.m. in Haliburton be sure to come and cheer them on!
By Monica Keefer
Peewee A Storm host Crusaders for deciding game five
On Jan. 26 JoAnne Sharpley’s Source for Sports/Haliburton Family Medical Centre Highland Storm Peewee A travelled to Oshawa to play game three of the MPS playoffs against the Durham Crusaders. The Highland Storm Peewee A played hard but the game ended in 2-1 loss. The goal was scored by Austin Boylan.
On Sunday Jan. 27 Highland Storm Peewee A hosted the Durham Crusaders for game four of the MPS playoffs.
The first period started with a beautiful goal by Mak Prentice. It was a 1-0 hockey game going into the second. To start the second Cheyenne Degeer came off the bench and got the puck and took her shot right in the net! Then Addison St Cyr got the puck brought it down he shoots he scores. Next there was a scramble and Austin Boylan tossed the puck in the net. It was 4-0 going into the third. To start the third there was a scramble at the net the puck got out and Prentice took advantage he shot the puck and scored his second goal of the game.
The game’s final score was a 5-0 win and a playoff shutout for Ethan Dobson!
JoAnne Sharpley’s Source for Sports/Haliburton Family Medical Centre Highland Storm Peewee A play their fifth MPS playoff game at on Saturday Feb. 2 at 11 a.m. at the A.J. LaRue Arena.
By Amber Card
Another cold January weekend was full of exciting playoff hockey for the Ridgewood Ford and Cottage Country Building Supplies Atom Rep team as they played two more games versus the ever challenging Durham Crusaders. With the series tied at a game apiece they drove south to Oshawa for game three. The Storm looked to gain a series lead on the Crusaders and would do so in style with a consistently defensive mindset seen throughout the game. Shy of a few rushes that made their way into their end the Storm managed to choke up the neutral zone and eliminate countless threats from their opponent.
The Storm opened the scoring in the first period with a Jace Mills solo effort which was an important goal to set the tone. The second period started off with another Mills goal supported by Owen Sisson who was happy to get the assist. Managing to keep the Crusaders off the board was at times no simple task however Storm net minder and young veteran to this game Chase Winder put on a virtual clinic earning the praise of the opposing team as well. On a rare breakaway shot he kicked out his left pad and sent the puck into the corner as the crowd went wild. To add to the excitement Austin Latanville popped in another helper after following up one of Parker Simm’s many rushes that resulted in an easy rebound in front. The Storm headed home with a 3-0 win and a series lead in hand.
Sunday afternoon couldn’t come soon enough as they hit the ice for a 2 p.m. start. Proving to be a worthy opponent the Crusaders came to play with purpose and a determination to avoid defeat. The first period remained scoreless despite multiple chances at both ends of the ice. The Storm refused to quit on pucks around the Durham net and with both McLean Rowden and Josh Scheffee causing chaos in front young Deegan Davison managed to chip the puck over the Minder’s pad to open the scoring. Looking for some insurance Austin Latanville buried one assisted by Scheffee to get the score up 2-0. The Crusaders merely managed one goal in an effort to forge their way back into the series however it was too little too late as our fiery goalie once again looked sharp and worthy of a highlight reel. The Storm Atoms thank you for all of the support as they head into their second round of play against an opponent who is yet to be determined.
By Pasi Posti
In game three of the first round of playoffs the Haliburton TimberMart/Haliburton Hockey Haven Sports Camp Highland Storm Novice Rep Team travelled to Wasaga Beach to battle the Stars. The Storm came out strong in the first period with Henry Neilson putting in two goals. The Stars reciprocated with a point before the end of the period. There was intense action in the second period but no goals were scored. Evan Perrott took another point for the Storm before the end of the game resulting in a 3-1 victory for the Storm. Isaac Trotter did a commendable job puck handling and penalty killing.
On Sunday Wasaga Beach met the Novices at the A.J. LaRue Arena for game four. The Stars put in two goals in the first period then Isaac Trotter snuck one in during the second period after some scrambling in front of the net. Evan Perrott tied the score early in the third period but the Stars retaliated with two more goals taking a two goal lead. The Storm wasn’t done fighting and Luke Gruppe fired in the third goal for the Storm. With 30 seconds left in the third the team pulled the goalie and Evan Perrott put in a goal to tie the game. The crowd went wild with excitement. The game went into a 10-minute sudden-death overtime. Halfway through the fourth Max Rupnow launched one in for the Storm winning the game 5-4 and the first round of the playoffs. Goalie Carter Braun made wicked saves throughout the weekend. Great hockey Novices!
Good luck to the Novices in their second round of the playoffs against the Shelburne Wolves.
By Sara Gruppe
The Atom Local League TD Canada Trust season is almost coming to an end with only two games left. The Atoms took on the South Muskoka team in Bracebridge this past weekend.
During the first period South Muskoka were proving they will never give up which resulted in two goals but with another day of persistent power skating Logan Reid was able to battle the puck off the boards and take a nice wrist shot from the hash marks and score top shelf.
During the second period South Muskoka were able to find the back of the net twice.
For the third period South Muskoka was able to sink another but with the TD’s never giving up Logan Burke’s new rounded skills and persistent digging was able to take the puck away from three forwards and send a beautiful pass up to Ethan Rowe and he was able to show South Muskoka his stick handling skills and speed and deked out their goalie to score his second of the season. With multiple misfortunes with bad bounces of the puck South Muskoka found the win. The next game is hosted in Haliburton against Huntsville.
By Chris McMartin
Peewee LL seek vengence
On Jan. 26 the LL Peewee Home Hardware team travelled to Gravenhurst to play against Parry Sound. Parry Sound came out strong scoring three goals against Storm in the first period. Storm shut them down in the second period only allowing Parry Sound to get one goal in the final minute. Parry Sound started the third with a couple quick goals but Storm was about to go out without a fight and at four-minute mark No. 9 Alex Hendry put Storm’s on the board assisted by Daniel Stephen. Parry Sound scored another before the Storm's Emery Bagshaw scored an exciting goal assisted by Hendry with one minute left in the game! Final score 7-2 Parry Sound. The Storm’s Home Hardware Peewee team will travel to Gravenhurst for a rematch at 1 p.m.
By Marita Bagshaw
Embattled Midget LL end weekend on high note
The Highland Storm Pharmasave LL Midgets participated in a one day tournament Saturday. Game one was against the Mariposa Lightning. The game was very close throughout with good action at both ends. Storm goalie Nate Miscio pulled off some excellent saves and defenceman Danaya MacDuff made solid plays to keep the Storm in the running. The Lightning won 3-2 on a late third period goal. Storm goals were by Tim Turner and Brenden Newhook. Game two was against the Kawartha Coyotes. The Coyotes charged right from the opening faceoff and were in a commanding 4-0 lead before the game even reached the halfway mark of the period. The Coyotes continued to press throughout the second period taking a 7-2 lead into the final frame. Both Storm goals were by Sam Hoenow. Kawartha went on to win 8-2. Next were the Coldwater Wildcats. The Wildcats scored first putting the puck between the pads of Miscio. Miscio made a great save early in the second on a hard Wildcats shot and on the subsequent rebound. The Wildcats went up by a couple after pinning the Storm in their own end for an extended time. The Storm had a very impressive power play at the end of the period but were unable to find the back of the net and were going to have to dig deep in the third period. The Wildcats held their ground however on their way to a 2-0 win over the Highland Storm.
On Sunday the team headed north for a game against the Almaguin Ice Devils. The first period was evenly matched with entertaining hockey by both teams. The Storm took the opening lead on a Paul Turner breakaway goal. In the second period Turner laid up a beautiful saucer pass to Brenden Newhook to send him in one on one against the Devil goalie. Newhook made no mistake putting the puck into the top corner and giving the Storm a 2-0 lead. Brother Tim Turner wanted part of the action as well scoring on a low slapshot to put the locals up by three. Almaguin broke Miscio’s shutout bid late in the third but a couple of late Storm goals by Sam Hoenow had the Storm cruise to a convincing 5-2 victory.
By Gord Hoenow
Atom LL
On Saturday the GJ Burtch LL Atom1 team hosted Huntsville’s Lake of Bays Plumbing the league’s top team. The Storm accepted this tough task put on their work boots and got to work. The Storm’s hard work paid off when Taylor Mulock buried the puck in the second period tying the game at one assisted by Eric Mueller and Isaac Borgdorff. The Storm would take the lead to start the third period on a great individual effort by Jacob Mantle. Minutes later Huntsville would score tying the game back up 2-2. It was a nail biter to the finish but the Storm’s goaltender Jacob Lloyd-Gottinger stood his ground making numerous spectacular saves earning himself the hard hat and his team a hard fought tie. 2-2 final.
On Sunday the Storm was right back at it hosting Parry Sound’s Marshall Black Carpentry back at the S.G Nesbitt arena in Minden. It took only 18 seconds for the Storm’s Taylor Mulock (one goal two assists) to find the back of the net. It was clear that on this day the Storm had come to play together as a team. Sadie Evans-Fockler (one assist) blocking’s shots with her feet Jacob Davis (two assists) diving to chip the puck out of our zone. Every member of the Storm would register at least one point. Brody Hartwig (two goals and one assist) Jacob Mantle (two assists) Zach Prentice (one assist) Isaac Borgdorff (two goals and one assist) Olivia Gruppe (three assists). Eric Mueller (two goals and one assist). Layne Robinson earned himself the hard hat getting his first goal of the season as well as two assists on the day. Final 8-4 win.
Next up the GJ Burtch LL Atoms travel to Huntsville Feb. 2 to face McDonald’s LL Atoms.
By Jamie Lloyd
The LevequeBros/Rock Breakers peewee girls Jets travelled to Lakefield to takeon the Ennismore Eagles. First period started off tight with plentyof chances for both teams steady goaltending by Kaylee Jessup heldthe Jets in with a 0-0 score to end the first. With first place onthe line and a bye to semi finals the Jets came out flying in thesecond. First goal was scored by Lily Manning on a nice short handedbreak away. Second goal was scored Maryn McMann and assisted by LaraGallant and Autumn Winder. Third goal was scored by Hope Trotterassisted by Sydney Fergusson and Maya Woods ending the second periodwith the Jets up 3-0. The girls added some insurance in the thirdwith a goal by Fergusson assisted by Trotter. With 1:21 left in thethird Trotter added a fifth goal assisted by Riley Brownleebringing the final score to a 5-0 win for the Jets clinching theirspot in first place!
The peewee girlsJets took on the Napanee Crunch on home ice. Napanee opened thescoring with 2 goals early in the first but the Jets battled backwith a goal from Woods assisted by Jordyn Coe and Gallant ending thefirst with the Jets trailing 2-1. 1:36 into the second Trotter tiedthe game assisted by Avila Townsend and Coe. Gallant added a nicehat trick in the third with two assists from McMann and assists fromCoe and Winder bringing the final score to 5-2 for the Jets!!
The LevequeBros/Rock Breakers peewee girls Jets took on the Ennismore Eagles inHaliburton on Saturday which resulted in another win for the girls!It was a close game with no score going into the third period butagain Jessup was strong. First goal for the Jets was scored by Woodsassisted by Winder. Just a few minutes later Woods scored againassisted by Mable McCue-Dixon and Rane Osborne. With 2:33 left in thethird the final goal was scored by McMann and assisted by Winderending the game with a 3-0 win! The girls end regular season with 16wins three losses and three ties! Way to go girls! Good luck in thechampionship round!
ByJenn Jessup
The Brightwoods Landscaping andConsulting Novice local league attended their first tournament of theseason in Apsley this past Saturday Jan. 26.
Game one was against Newcastle Starsand the Storm dominated the play throughout the majority of the gamecoming up with a 3-2 win. Brody Hartwig was presented with MVP of thegame for his swift stick skills and landing three goals with assistsfrom Jacob Sutton Matthew Fairey and Benton Lloyd.
The second game versus ClaringtonVikings was a hard action packed evenly matched game with back andforth playing from both sides. Every Storm player fought hard withdetermination pulling out a 5-2 win. Zachary Prentice started off thescoring with the first goal and Hartwig continued to rack up hispoints with the next four goals.
Carter Knapton made many great saves tokeep us in the game and Hunter Hamilton was honoured MVP of the gamefor his hard work in skating strong and controlling the play.
The third and final game was vsBancroft Jets. Action was back and forth and Hartwig again showcasedhis unique abilities in obtaining the puck and skating around hisopponents to secure another hat trick ending in a final score of 3-1.Hawksley Dobbins was named MVP of the game for his go get me’attitude and proving size is no barrier! The crowd was loud andemotions were strong as the team celebrated their first tournament victory win! Teamwork is key!!! Every single player has their ownunique set of skills they bring to this team and when the coachingstaff can hone in on those specific abilities and use to the teamsadvantage it shows on the scoreboard.
Overall our defensive team of PrenticeHawksley Dobbins Gideon Borgdorff and Duncan Evans-Focklermaintained their presence at the blue line keeping play in theopponents end throughout the tournament. They were also a strongforce in our zone clearing the puck continuously to allow forforwards Hartwig Hamilton Fairey Lloyd Sutton Tyler HughesCruize Neave and Oakley Craftchick to move quickly into theopponent's end and create many scoring chances. Goalie Knapton madesave after save throughout the tournament keeping Storm ahead on thescoreboard in all three games.
Way to go Storm!
By Cheryl Smith
