Seaway Int. dominates cross-country qualifier

The Morrisburg Junior B Lions put their first stroke in the win column here Sunday afternoon when they rallied for a three-goal, third period to defeat the visiting Char-Lan Rebels, 4-2.

It was a very close, entertaining game that saw the Lions on the scoreboard first with a first period goal at 8:52 from Jacob Kendrick assisted by Cole Blanchard and Michael Paquette.

The Lions l-0 lead lasted until the last minutes of the second period when the Rebels Jeremy McFarlane counted against goaltender John Gilmer to even it at 1-1 heading into the third period.

Well past the halfway mark of the third period, Jeremy McFarlane, on the power play, put the Rebels ahead for the first time in the game. But they were unable to hang on.

The Lions got an unassisted power play goal at 14:17 from Eric Evans and that got them rolling for a second counter just 42 seconds later from Paquette (assisted by Justin Rutley).

The Lions then went to work to hold on to their 3-2 advantage and, with Gilmer unbeatable in net, they were successful.

The Lions fourth and final goal was scored by Justin Lefebvre (from Dallas Blacksmith) with 55 seconds left on the clock.

“The boys never gave up and it was a really good effort,” said coach Mark Evans of Sunday’s win.

Evans says that keeping the games close in the early going is going to be key for the Lions who have a very young squad this year. “They will learn by experience,” he said.

While the game was extremely tight in the first two periods, Evans says, “Our defence played well, but we’ve seen them play better. John Gilmer had a good game in net. He controlled the rebounds really well and made some key saves.”

While Evans says the win indeed felt good for everyone, he and assistant coach Shawn Blanchard are concentrating on getting everyone on the same system.

“That is what we are trying to stress at this point. They have been told some very different things already from what they have learned in minor hockey.”

“We are just focussing on one period at a time.”

Sunday’s game saw just 16 minor penalties, and they were evenly split between the two.

Kevin Dumouchel was in net for the Rebels loss. He gave up the four goals on 38 Lions shots, while Gilmer gave up the two Rebels goals on 29 shots.

Coming up the Lions have a very busy weekend ahead.

This Friday night they are on the road to Winchester to take on the Hawks. Game time is 8:15. The Lions have met the Hawks once this year and lost 7-4, so they will be looking to even it out.

Then on Saturday night, October 4 and Sunday, October 5 they have a pair of home games. Alexandria is in town for a 7:30 p.m. start Saturday night and Sunday it’s Akwesasne at 2:30 p.m.

[…]

The Seaway Kickers Under-15 Mixed team claimed a 3-1 win against the visiting Nepean City Storm M2 team on July 21, at the Merkley Soccer Fields in Iroquois. 

Seaway opened the scoring at the 27th minute of the first half, with a one-timer high in the right corner of Nepean City’s goal by forward Travis McInnis, his league leading 16th goal of the season. 

Five minutes later, he scored his second of the night,  his17th of the season, to give the Kickers a 2-0 lead at half-time.

Seaway forward David Swerdfeger opened the scoring in the second half with a shot low in the right corner, besting Nepean City’s goalkeeper at the 49th minute.

The Storm rallied in the second half, scoring at the 58th minute on Seaway goalkeeper Shawn Dowson to cut the Kickers advantage to 3-1. 

Seaway’s defense shut down any further drives at the net, to hold on for the 3-1 win.

Goalkeepers David Swerdfeger and Shawn Dowson shared the win. 

The Kickers continue to lead the Under-15 Mixed division in the South Side League with nine wins and two losses. 

The U15-Mixed team next visits the Ottawa Internationals team at Bruff Park in Ottawa South, July 28. Kick-off is at 6:30 p.m.

[…]

Although they knew they had a good pony on their hands, they didn’t know how good she really is.

They found out on the weekend of September 8-11.

That’s when four Sarabeau Stable riders and their ponies competed at the Trillium Provincial Equestrian Championship at Caledon Equestrian Park at Palgrave, Ontario, and while “everybody did amazing, and everyone had good rounds,” it was Sweet Cherry Wine who stole the show.

Owned and ridden by Rayanna Marcellus in the Medium Pony Division, Sweet Cherry Wine was judged overall champion thanks to some really good rides.

On her first day, Sweet Cherry placed eighth and 10th, over fences. Day two saw her finish first and second over fences and third on flat. The combined points gave her the overall ‘medium pony’ championship.

“It’s a tough competition,” said Sarabeau Stable trainer Cheryl Levere. “There are a lot of horses there that compete at top level shows. We are just doing a little local circuit.”

“Sweet Cherry’s two rounds were absolutely amazing. I was able to watch 10 others go and none of them compared to Sweet Cherry’s rounds.”

While the competition is judged on the horses, Levere credits Marcellus for her part in the win. “It’s purely judged on the horse. However, it’s an overall picture, and you have to have a good rider.”

Also riding at the Trillium were Courtney Casselman on Piccolini, Julie Julien on Palakari and Josee Marleau Vallieres on Sentimental Journey. In addition, Marcellus rode Short Notice in Small Pony and Picco in B Equitation.

“It was a great learning experience for all of them,” said Levere. “They all had amazing rounds and you have to remember that none of them had ever done anything like this before. They all stepped up. It was a great first year for Sarabeau. Every year is going to get better. They all know what to expect now.”

Sarabeau Stable owner Sandy Marcellus (Rayanna’s mom) was extremely proud of the riders and the horses, particularly Sweet Cherry Wine.

“We knew she was a good pony, but for us to have a champion pony is fantastic. We were up against a lot of big barns and there was a lot of competition there. Every division had between 35 and 50 riders. It’s great.”

[…]