Rollercoaster Ride
Tales from the Timebox: November 7th, 2017
This coming Saturday, November 11th is one of the most important days of the year as far as I’m concerned. I hope even though a lot of you will be busy doing hockey stuff, that you take at least a few moments to remember those who kept our great country safe and free and continue to do so even to this day, so we can go watch our kids and grand kids play hockey etc.
It’s much better to give than receive! I’m not talking about giving gifts (although it’s true), today I’m talking about lop-sided hockey games, of which we’ve had quite a few. Some of them we were the upside and win by huge scores, and some of them we were on the receiving end of the hockey stick! For the next two weeks this will be the case until the teams are re-tiered at the end on November and start with a clean slate. No one really benefits from these games and quite often they end up in a gong show before they are over. All of the goals and assists during the first month, although they mean something to the player and parent, don’t get counted into league play and once one team gets a huge lead it gets ugly. After November everyone will start fresh.
The Bantam Avalanche have been fortunate enough to have been on the winning side in all three of their games this year, two of them happened this past weekend and both of them were blow-outs . Friday night they defeated Onion Lake 14 to 3. Six goals by Jaden ‘Jet Stream’ Van Maarion. Hat tricks for Dallas ‘Cowboy’ Bristow and ‘Lightning Liam’ Ludlage. One goal each for defenseman ‘King Cole’ Bendixen and Jace the ‘Stafford Streak’.
On Sunday afternoon it was more of the same when the Saddle Lake Warriors came calling the Avalanche winning this one 12 to 2. Four goals for ‘ King Cole’ . ‘Jet Stream’ with a hat trick, Odin ‘the Wall’ Smith, ‘the Stafford Streak’ , Charlie ‘Chuckles’ Rogal and Evan ‘Batman’ Ockerman with one goal each. Matthew Quinney in on the score sheet with an assist. Goalie ‘Sexy Slater’ Hardcastle didn’t had a whole lot of action so far this year and believe it or not sometimes that’s even worse that getting lots of action, because you’re cold and not focused when someone does manage to get a shot on you. With a short bench, only ten skaters on the bantam team this year, they were down to only nine horses on Sunday when the big power forward ‘Danny Boy’ Cardinal was out of action. He was injured the day before at the football game playing for the St. Paul Bengals. In case you hadn’t heard they won over Bonnyville and will be going to provincials this coming weekend in Grande Prairie. ‘Chuckles’ and ‘the Wall’ also play for the Benagals . The bantam boys are coached by Marty Bendixen, Greg Van Maarion and Tyson Stafford. There’s not a shadow of a doubt in my mind that they have a very talented team and need to move up one tier; or the rest of the teams they have played so far need to move down a tier. Either way it’s going to be a great year for these boys, providing they can stay healthy. And let’s not forget to mention the bantam team manager who is celebrating her birthday tomorrow. A big happy birthday going out to Melissa Rogal.
Our Midget Avalanche have been doing the same thing, walking over all the teams they have played so far this year. Sunday night they defeated Saddle Lake easily 16 to 0 . This is the third game of the year for them and all of them have been completely one sided. This coming weekend may be a bit more challenging when they meet up with Mallaig, Wainwright and Lloydminister.
But here’s some good news; its looking more and more like our two peewee teams are right where they belong in their perspective leagues. The tier three peewee team played at home on Saturday winning 6 to 3 over Kitscoty ‘Top Gunner’ Crawford with 2 goals and an assist was awarded the ‘ Inspirational Player of the Game by the coaching staff. Kaleb ‘Formula One’ Flammand with a goal and an assist, Bo ‘Diddley’ Fontaine with a goal and two assists, slippery Seth Morton, and rugged Dean ‘the Machine’ Ockerman with a goal each. D- Men Brendon ‘ Blue Line’ Haesch-Baker and Gavin ‘Giver’ Kadutski with assists. On Sunday, on the road in Wainwright, with the help of outstanding goaltending again this weekend by the ‘Kid’ Kade Fontaine, who faced 56 shots. They lost a very close one 2 to 1. ‘Top Gunner’ scoring the only goal for the Avalanche. Brenden ‘Blue Line’ Haesch- Baker awarded the “Inspirational Player of the Game” by the coaching staff.
The tier one team didn’t pick up any points this past weekend, but they have been playing really well and looks like they certainly do belong in the tier one. This past weekend was their toughest test against the two top teams in the league. On Saturday at home against Lloydminister they held their own for two periods, leading the game 4 to 3 after 40 minutes, they powered out in the third period losing a close one 6 to 4. ‘Mick Jager’ Fontaine with two goals and an assist, ‘King Kong Konnor’ Poitras with a goal and an assist, Vaughn ‘the Vulture’ Ockerman with a goal, Landon ‘the Magnificent ‘ Malchowski with an assist. On Sunday against Cold Lake it wasn’t very pretty at all, losing this one 13 to 1. Cold Lake has been waxing all the teams in the league, but other that them the peewee Avalanche seem to be able to compete just fine. Goalie Vanden ‘Super Mario’ Moroziuk who kept them in the game on Saturday, when they were out shot badly was bombarded again with 57 shots on goal, we replied with only 10, shots, most of the game was played in our end of the rink, although ‘ Mick Jager’ did manage to slip away and bury a long slap shot by them.
Our Atom Avalanche have not been so lucky, being one of the teams that taking it on the chin a few times so far this year. They were on the road this past weekend losing 7 to 1 in Plamondon on Saturday, which isn’t too bad really when compared to some of the scores they have had. Braylee Lesyk the only goal scorer. Brother ‘Good Time Charlie’ the goalie keeping it close as long as he could. On Sunday in Glendon they just couldn’t hold one and lost 14 to zip. Not much fun, but this team is young, they are developing, working hard, and most likely will move down a notch and be able to compete. That’s what tiering is supposed to be all about. Placing teams where you can compete , have close games and have fun!
The Novice Avalanche don’t have the tiering system in the Hwy 28 league and so far have competed really well this year. On Saturday in Mallaig with ‘Notorious Nolan’ Ballas between the pipes in net they tied six all . A hat trick for ‘Wyatt Earp’ Fontaine, ‘Boe Dog’ Johnson, Kale ‘the Hawk’ Ockerman and Brendan ‘ Buzz Saw’ Kadutski with one each. Miles ‘the Millionare’ Koren, Ryley ‘ Coyote’ Bourne, Jaxon ‘ Smitty’ Smith and ‘Without a Trace’ Morgan with assists.
And…..here’s some real exciting action over in Vermilion on this past weekend when our Elk Point girls, the ‘ Storm Troopers’ were reconnected. Laramie ‘Louis’ Parr, Sydnee ‘the Kid ‘ Crawford and Jenna’ Precious’ Poitras were back together on a line, and with Jadey ‘the Lady’ Capjack on the defensive point they cashed in big time! Winning the B side of the 8 team tournament that they hosted. After losing their first game to Cold Lake, they played in a must win second game with the help of the Storm Connection.
Syd ‘the Kid’ Crawford scored a goal and also won the player of the game against Sherwood Park. The next morning the Tigers played in the B final against Red Deer. No score after the first period. Second period, perseverance finally paid off for Jenna ‘Precious’ Poitras. ‘Precious’ would battle in front around the goal crease for the puck, not giving up until the loose rubber final crossed the line. A bit of a greasy goal but it counts! The Tigers holding the one goal lead until very late in the third period when Red Deer scored, the game ending in a tie. After 5 minutes of 4 on 4 sudden death overtime stilled tied. Then the shoot- out, the tension grows ! Sydnee ‘ Kid ‘ Crawford the first shooter scored for the Tigers and when Red Deer missed on two attempts; the Tigers win!!!!!
And now for the K. A. Campbell quote of the week. ” Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.” – Chilli Davies
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