On Wednesday Feb. 17 the Tom Prentice and Sons/RM Carpentry Highland Storm Tyke team travelled to Apsley for the first time this season. It was a fast game with many scoring opportunities for both teams. The Storm were challenged but responded with great skating passing and puck battles. Even though the Storm lost this one 7-5 they should be commended on how hard they worked. They never let up and gave the fans plenty to cheer about. Goals were scored by Connor Byrne Brechin Johnston and Jace Mills. Excellent goaltending by Chase Winder kept the Storm within reach. Keep up the good work Storm.
The Tom Prentice and Sons/RM Carpentry Highland Storm Tyke team were back in action on Sunday Feb. 21 in Minden hosting the South Muskoka Bears. The Storm were hungry for a win and it became evident from the opening puckdrop that they were on a mission. All Storm players contributed to a fantastic game with excellent passing and skating. The Storm came out on top 5-1 over the Bears. Goals were scored by Connor Byrne Liam Harrison Brechin Johnston Evan Jones and Jace Mills. Strong defensive play and goal tending helped foster the win. Way to go Storm.
Submitted by Janice Scheffee
It was a tough weekend for the Timber Mart Novice Highland Storm. They lost the last game of the playoffs versus the Huntsville Otters.
The Timber Mart Novice Highland Storm fought a very good battle against the Huntsville Otters but fell short their first game of the series with a 6-3 loss. Goals were scored by Cheyenne Degeer Mak Prentice and Isaac Lee.
Congratulations Timber Mart Novice Highland Storm on an excellent season.
Submitted by Amber Card
The JoAnne Sharpley’s Source for Sports Highland Storm Peewee A team concluded their season losing three games to one versus the Penetang Flames in round two of the OMHA playoffs. The Peewee A boys’ season was highlighted by numerous achievements along the way with multiple tournament wins a MPS championship and were semi-finalists at the Silver Stick Internationals.
In the glorious chance of hardware it is easy to forget that not all achievements are tangible and easy to recognize with a medal or trophy. Some of the best achievements are only felt inside and shared with a friend a loved-one or a teammate. The feeling of going through both good and bad times together gaining valuable experience learning growing. This above all is the crowning jewel of all achievements the experience and the lessons you shared along the way. You should be proud of yourselves with all that you accomplished this season. Congratulations.
Submitted by Trevor Maddock
The Bancroft I.D.A/Canadian Tire Midget B Girls Jets continued their OWHA Provincial playdowns in Bancroft on Saturday Feb. 20 against the Peterborough Ice Kats. In the home-and-home match-up in game two of their playdown schedule the teams battled to a scoreless tie in the first period. The Jets took a second period 1-0 lead midway through the period with Kelsey Maracle putting home a Ella Hedley rebound after Sydney Feir moved the puck up from a nice D-to-D in the neutral zone. The Ice Kats tied the game late in the second period with some Bancroft bad luck when they capitalized on a crossbar shot that just crossed the goal line after it fell behind Katie Hoover who butterflied the puck into the net. Both clubs continued to battle as they looked for the go-ahead goal in the third period. Peterborough’s aggressive pressure forced a turnover in the Jets’ end and with two quick passes and a high glove wrister the Ice Kats secured a 2-1 lead midway through the third period. Bancroft tried to even the score at 2-2 late in the third period but could not capitalize on a power play with just minutes left in the game.
Looking for a bounce-back effort on Sunday Feb. 21 in Peterborough the Jets came out flying looking to even the playdown series with the Ice Kats. Thirty seconds into the game Danielle Sunstrum forced a turnover at the Ice Kats’ blueline that Katie Funk picked up and netted an early 1-0 lead with a five-hole wrister that handcuffed the Peterborough tender. Bancroft took at 2-0 lead on the powerplay when Danielle Sunstrum walked out from behind the net and snuck a weak angle tally into the net with 17 seconds left in the first. The Ice Kats jumped on a Bancroft turnover off the period-ending centre ice draw and capitalized on a loose rebound to finish the period on a late rebound goal with just seconds left in the period. The Jets ran into penalty trouble in the second period allowing Peterborough to tie the game at 2-2 while defending a five-on-three penalty kill. A wicked blueline wrister went top blocker to even the score. Bancroft continued their up-tempo play and with just 16 seconds left in the second period Kenndal Marsden forced a turnover in the Ice Kat end stepping out from the corner and beating the Peterborough tender going five-hole for a 3-2 lead. The lead gave the Jets a spark as they started the third period. Kenndal Marsden capitalized again with a pressure attack on the Ice Kat defence causing a turnover in their defensive end. A shot from behind the goal line fooled the Ice Kat tender and somehow found its way into the net. The barnburner of a game continued and on the very next shift Peterborough drew close at 4-3 with a rebound goal capitalizing on a loose puck of their own. The energy-charged game continued until the end of the third period but the score remained 4-3 in favour of the Jets. Great bounce back effort Bancroft! The goal of reaching the OWHA Provincial Championship weekend remains a possibility.
The Jets host their second round opponents the Cold Creek Comets Monday Feb. 22 at 7 p.m. in Bancroft in the start of their 4 point LLFHL playoff series. Game 2 is in Brighton on Thursday Feb. 25 at 7 p.m. If needed game 3 will be back in Bancroft on Monday Feb. 29 at 7 p.m. Keep the focus Jets and recharge your engines as you prepare for the play-off grind of aggressive and physical play. Remember when you control the puck – you control the game … move your feet and move the puck to make things happen.
Submitted by Dan Marsden