First place Aeros down Jr. B Lions

 

MORRISBURG–The Morrisburg Junior B Lions continued to give their opponents a run for their money in two games on the weekend, but once again, despite early leads, they were unable to cash in. 

Saturday night at the Char-Lan Rec Centre, they were handed a 6-3 loss by the St. Lawrence Division’s second place Rebels after holding a 3-2 lead heading into the third period.

Then on home ice Sunday afternoon, after going up 2-0 in the first two periods against Akwesasne, they gave up three in a row, in a 3-2 Wolves victory.

Saturday night in Williamstown, the Lions kept pace with the Rebels holding the first period to a one goal draw.

Michael Paquette, on the power play, put the Lions on board less than a minute into the game, but at 5:54 Kevin Veilleux beat Lions goaltender Brandon Chilton to even it.

Then at 3:56 of the second period, Zach Belaire counted for the Lions, again on their power play, for a 2-1 lead. They held on until 14:00 when Isaac Lavallee counted for the Rebels to make it a 2-2 game.

Just over one minute later Paquette counted his second to put the Lions ahead 3-2.

That lasted until 2:10 of the third period when Scott Hope counted to tie the game. At 6:01 he struck again for what would turn out to be the winner.

Alexandre Gendron made it 5-3 at 13:15 of the frame and Blain MacKay counted the final Rebels goal into the empty Lions net for the 6-3 win.

The game saw a total of 156 minutes in penalties handed out. This included eight five minute fighting majors and eight corresponding game misconducts.

Lions goaltender Brandon Chilton gave up five goals on 28 shots on net, while Alex  Boileau was beat three times on 15 Lions shots on net.

Sunday afternoon in Morrisburg, the Lions started strong with a Drew Veenstra goal assisted by Christian Leger and Chris Pearson at 6:20 of the first period.

Eric Evans made it 2-0 for the Lions less than one minute into the second period with Michael Paquette and Kieran Devine providing the assists.

But that was it.

The Wolves came charging back with their first goal from the stick of Dom Coyle at 9:51 of the second period. Then at 18:03 the Wolves power play went to work to even the game 2-2 with a Hayden Mancini counter.

The tie held until the last minutes of the third period, when Coyle connected for his second goal against Lions goaltender John Gilmer to give the Wolves a 3-2 win.

Just four minor penalties were assessed in the game, three of them to the Lions.

Cory Garrow was in net for the Wolves who out shot the Lions 32-23.

The Wolves are holding the St. Lawrence Division’s fourth spot, two points up on the Alexandria Glens. The Casselman Vikings are looking solid in first place with 50 points, while the Char-Lan Rebels and Winchester Hawks are battling for second place, the Rebels now holding 33 points to the Hawks 32.

Coming up this week, Thursday, December 19, the Lions are on the road to Casselman for a 7:30 p.m. match. This Saturday night, December 21st, they are at home to the Gananoque Islanders. Game time is 7:30 p.m.

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The Seaway District High School junior girls basketball team visited local rivals Rothwell-Osnabruck on September 28th, defeating the Lancers 51-17.   The Spartans led the Lancers at the end of the first quarter 14-4 including […]

 

“I always felt if  my son Anthony was involved in something, I should volunteer my time to help,” says Barb Levere of her interest and ongoing love of hockey.

That was 25 years ago, and while her son is long finished playing minor hockey, Barb is still volunteering. 

On Thursday night, November 6,at a Sens hockey game, Barb was recognized for her commitment to minor hockey when she was presented a Hockey Canada Volunteer of the Year Award  by Ottawa Senators president Cyril Leeder and Denis Dumais, president of the executive council of the Ottawa District Minor Hockey Association (ODMHA).

“It was quite a privilege,” said Levere during a recent interview in her home in Morrisburg. “I think the proudest person that night was Anthony who always understood, whether he liked it or not, when I was busy with paperwork or heading off to a hockey meeting.”

Barb is also extremely proud that, by example, she has instilled the value of volunteering to Anthony who is now a big brother.

For the last 14 years, Levere has been District 1 Chair for the Upper Canada Minor Hockey League which provides hockey for nine minor hockey associations (178 teams). It is a position that keeps her busy, seven days a week.

Looking back on her 25 year involvement in Minor Hockey, Levere says it was former Morrisburg and District (now South Dundas) Minor Hockey president Billy Donaldson who got her started as registrar in the local association.

While on the Morrisburg Minor executive under the late John Lortie, who was then president, Barb gained experience at the District Level. “It was John who let me go to the District meetings. I learned a lot from John. He was a good teacher, and I respected him and his hockey knowledge.”

At the District level, Barb first served as secretary and then moved to first vice president. She was mentored by Harry Jones of Brockville, “who taught me how to be a good District chair. And [the late] Clara Thompson, she was registrar when I became involved and she was a great help to me.”

In addition to handling the duties of District 1 Chair, Levere is currently the president of the Upper Canada Cyclones AAA  Association and president of Zone 1 which is one of five AAA Zones.

“I spend at least 60 hours a week on hockey, some at home and some for travel. I usually take in at least two games per week and sometimes three meetings per week…sometimes more.”

Levere peruses about 75 game sheets daily. In total she receives about 4,200 game sheets every season.  “I think I’m up to three file cabinets now as game sheets have to be kept for at least one year. There is a lot of organization.”

The District 1 chair handles and assists with problems that may come up, and sets down disciplinary action as required. Although this is something she doesn’t like doing, she says it is something that has to be done, and she prides herself in that she treats everyone equally and fairly. 

“I don’t like to hand out the suspensions, but I am consistent. If someone gets suspended for something then the next guy that does the same thing, gets the same suspension.”

“Since AAA came in we don’t stop. We have meetings all summer. It never stops, and I love it. I’m there for the kids and that is what my main focus is.”

Levere says she has a very strong District 1 Executive, which includes, a registrar, secretary, treasurer and coach mentor and the presidents of each of the  nine minor hockey associations, South Dundas among them.

“In District 1, in my opinion, we have a core group of really great referees and our associations are also well run.”

Over the years, Levere has received a number of awards including the prestigious Earl Steinburg Memorial Award for contributions to the community and minor sport, District 1 Volunteer Awards, the Clare Thompson Memorial Award, the ODMHA Volunteer of the Year Award, the HEO (formerly the ODHA) Appreciation Award and the recent Hockey Canada Award.

For the Hockey Canada Award, Barb and her family and friends were guests of the Ottawa Senators at a Sens game. In addition to the award, she was presented a Sens sweater with Levere embroidered on the back.

She says it was an honour to be recognized for her volunteering…to be recognized for something that she loves do…and it’s all for the kids.

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