Sports

 

Team members of the Atom C Lions pose for a picture after their 4-2 win over North Dundas at the Morrisburg Arena on Sunday, October 30. In the spirit of Halloween, parents and team officials handed out treats to the players after the game. The Lions are having a good season, showing determination and good sportsmanship. Their record is 3 wins, 3 losses and one tie.  Team members are (in no particular order) Michaela Mustard, Caleb Douma, Trystyn Hummel, Morgan Hummel, Matt MacKay, Jaeden Shaver, Kendrew Byers, Rachel Nicolaassen, Chloe Hart, Devon Swindells, Owen Orendi, Mackenzie McKee Markell and Shelby Martineau.  Team officials are David Byers, Shawn Hummel, Karon Hart and Lori and Steve Martineau.  The Lions encourage spectators to their games.  Come see how the “Lions Rock, Lions Roar and Lions Score, Score, Score!”

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After playing “a pretty good game” in Casselman on Thursday, one night later in Morrisburg, it was a whole different story when the Winchester Hawks came to town.

The Morrisburg Junior Lions kicked off the week in Casselman with a 4-1 loss to the Vikings.

“We played a pretty good game Thursday in Casselman, and should have won the game,” says coach Thom Racine. “We can’t score a goal to save our lives right now, and that has hurt us.”

While the Lions may be having trouble scoring, it is certainly not a problem that is plaguing the St. Lawrence Division’s second place Winchester Hawks.

The Hawks flew into town Friday night, where they demolished the Lions in front of the hometown crowd 11-2.

“The quick turn around into Friday night against, arguably, the best team in the league (Winchester) was too much for us to handle,” says Racine. “We had nothing for them and they played with us.”

“Losing at home, 11-2, is embarrassing, and we felt that all night. We just could not get out from under the pressure Winchester put on us.”

Thursday night in Casselman, the Vikings went up  2-0 in the first period on goals by Marc-Andrew Quann and Joel Adam on the Vikings power play in the last minute of the frame.

They added another two counters in the final five minutes of the second period from Curtis Chennette and Marcel Groulx.

With help from Ryan Ward and Michael Keenan, Marc Antoine Kamel spoiled Kyle Lamothe’s shutout with just 23 seconds left on the clock.

The Lions were unsuccessful in their 14 power-play opportunities in a game that saw an abundance of penalties. The Vikings counted once in 11 chances. A total of 63 minutes in penalties were collected by the Lions while the Vikings earned 75 minutes worth.

A good portion of the penalty minutes were awarded in a rough and tumble second period.

Friday night in Morrisburg the Hawks went to work for a 4-0 first period lead and at the end of 40 minutes of play they were coasting on a 9-1 advantage.

The lone Morrisburg goal was scored by Marc Antoine Kamel, from Ryan Ward and Ty Hodgson, on the Lions power play.

The Hawks let up in the third period to collect just two goals from Lions’ goaltender Ryan Cooper who replaced starter Mikael Dion late in the second frame.

Scoring for the Lions in the third, with 15 seconds left in the game, was Brayden Girard from Michel Thurler and Alex Steingruber.

Jesse Barbier led the Hawks scoring with three goals. Brock Burge and Dylan Chessel had two goals apiece and singles came from the sticks of Brandon Belding, Mike Evelyn, Evan Walker and Dustin Tinkler.

Coach Racine was not on the Lions bench Friday, as he was serving a suspension handed out the night before in Casselman. He says he was able to make a positive out of a negative and used the opportunity to get “a different look at the game, Friday.” He is hoping that what he saw Friday can be fixed and “we can take a positive out of a beating.”

Coming up this Friday, November 11, the Lions are at the Glengarry Sports Palace for an  8 p.m. game against the Alexandria Glens. 

Then on Sunday, November 13 they are at home to the Rideau Division’s first place Westport Rideaus. Game time  is 2:30 p.m.

Racine says that after Friday night’s loss to the Hawks, “I told the kids to shake it off and get ready for the next beast Friday in Alexandria, and hopefully find a way to work as hard as we did in Casselman. Hopefully, we can force a few goals to pick up our spirts.”

“We host Westport, Sunday, and the month does not get any easier. So hard work needs to show up every night.”

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During a visit to the Morrisburg arena Friday night, the St. Lawrence Division’s second place Casselman Vikings (tied for second with the Hawks) discovered the Morrisburg Lions aren’t pushovers.

Although the Vikings did eventually pick up a 5-4 win, they first had to play 60 minutes of regulation time hockey and five minutes of overtime before they were able to put it away in a shoot out.

It was a big game for the Lions and an exciting game for Lions fans as they watched their Lions hang tough against the powerful Vikings who have lost only three games in 15 starts this season.

“Let’s face it. To get a point against Casselman is an accomplishment, even though I thought we really should have won,” said Lions coach Thom Racine. “I thought we played well. Outshooting the Vikings (40-37) is a rare feat and with some luck around the net it might have been a different story.”

The Vikings were first on the scoreboard with an Adam Wensink goal just 1:24 into the game.

That held until late in the frame when Michael Poapst, assisted by March Antoine, evened it off at 1-1.

The Lions couldn’t hold them off, and the Vikings were able to slip one more past goaltender Mikael Dion, on their power play at 15:14 of the period.

Just 4:39 into the second period the Lions again levelled the playing field this time with a goal from Taylor Wilson assisted by Zach Sequin and Ryan Dunbar.

That held until 18:37 of the second when the Vikings collected another power-play goal to again push ahead as the period ended.

Joel Adam pushed the Viking advantage to 4-2 with an unassisted counter at 8:50 of the third period, but it wasn’t over yet.

The Lions came back and came back strong.

Clark Veenstra (from Taylor Wilson and Ryan Ward) pulled it to within one at 11:05 and then at 15:55 Michael Poapst and Taylor Wilson set up Zach Sequin for the tying marker.

The 4-4 tie held throughout the overtime, although the Lions had their chances thanks to a pair of Casselman penalties that gave them a five on three power play. The Lions were unable to capitalize on the extra man advantage and the 4-4 tie was finally broken in a shootout.

Alex Steingruber, Michael Poapst and Ryan Ward were all unsuccessful against Vikings goaltender Phillippe Quesnel.

Coming up this week the Lions travel to Casselman to taken on the Vikings at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, November 3. 

On Friday night, November 4 they host the Winchester Hawks. 

“If we bring the same intensity to these upcoming weekend games, I like our chances at stealing some more points,” says Racine.

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Members of the Morrisburg Golf Club will have some new blood on their executive for the 2012 season with five officers not returning to the executive for another term, including long-time president Sam Laurin and secretary Alice McNairn.

The two, along with 1st vice-president Garry O’Neill, club captain Lance LePage and greens chairman Bob Youmelle, all chose not to return, which opened the door for some new people. 

The club’s annual fall meeting was held at the clubhouse on Sunday, October 30.

Moving up from the second vice president’s chair, to take over as the club’s president was Jason Broad. Barry Henderson was elected 1st vice president and Mick Mabo got the nod as 2nd vice president.

Longtime treasurer, Sean Boulerice was returned, and Candy Jamieson was elected secretary to replace Alice McNairn who retired her position after 17 years.

Shawn Hummel was elected to replace Youmelle as greens chair.

Elected as club captain was Bob Mann. Lori-Anne Davies was returned as ladies captain by the ladies section of the club earlier this fall as was Lawrence Larocque as the senior’s representative.

Although the club has been battling decreases in the membership for the past two or three years, the membership decided, that with the economic climate as it is, an increase in the membership fees for the 2012 season would not be a good idea.

A reduced fee initiative for new members this past year, was successful in attracting 28 new members and it was suggested that it be run again next year.

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Saturday, October 29, the South Dundas Peewee C House Lions suited up in a brand new set of sweaters thanks to the generosity of Michel Proulx/Canadian Tire Store in Morrisburg. The House Lions and South Dundas Minor Hockey Association were absolutely delighted to receive the donation which includes both home and away sweaters. Keeping the teams looking sharp is a yearly effort for the local minor hockey association which tries to replace at least a couple of sweater sets per year.  They often count on the generosity of the community. Pictured with the team, (kneeling centre row) is Canadian Tire representative, Joanne Minish. Front is goaltender Austin Robinson. Kneeling, l-r, are MacKenzie Nelson, Megan McKay, Anna Cassell, Jackson Weegar, Joanne Minish, Nathan Cameron and Brody Smail. Back, l-r are Matthew Helmer, Sheridan Caines, Brooke Lapier, Grace Brooks, Julenea Barnhartd, Trinity Hanes, Shayna VanBeilen and Emma Barkley. The Peewee C House Lions coaching staff includes, coach Shawn Lapier, Derek VanBeilen, Tim Cassell and Barry Barkley.

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The South Dundas “We Can Contracting” Novice B Lions were in Finch on Saturday, for the NGS Novice B Tournament where they made it to the “A” Final only to lose in overtime to the Kemptville Panthers.

In the tournament’s final game, the Panthers held a 3-1 lead in the third period when Ben Lapier stole the puck at his blue line and went the distance, out skating the defensemen and back checking forwards, to score a five-hole goal on Panther net minder Cole Watt.

Now, with the score 3-2 and time ticking away, the Lions pulled goaltender Brendan Shaver for the extra attacker. 

The puck came back to the Lions blue line where Nolan Henry picked it up and skated down the right wing before passing to centre iceman Ben Lapier who broke into the zone and scored on a wrist shot. The goal sent the Lions and their fans into a frenzy with 25 seconds left in the third and the game tied 3-3 to force overtime.

The emotional high of tying the game, however, didn’t carry over into overtime as Panther forward Evan Davidson was able to pick up a loose puck in front the Lion’s cage and bury a shot into the open net. 

Lion’s goalie Brendan Shaver who was outstanding in the game (and tournament) picked up the Lions player of the game award.

Joshua Broad scored in the first period of the final game, when he banged home a loose puck off the left post. Emytt Fetterly and Cassidy Bilmer kept the puck alive twice at the Panther’s blue line enabling the Lions the scoring chance. The Lions and Panthers exchanged first period goals before the Panthers built up their two goal lead.

Earlier games in the tournament for the Lion’s were a 2-1 loss at the hand of the NGS Braves with the lone goal going to Owen Fetterly and assists to Ben Lapier and Joshua Broad. 

It was a well played defensive battle with Trent Rae and Spencer Barclay keeping the front of the Lion net clear of Braves attackers. On one Braves breakout Barclay caught the attacker from behind, drove, and knocked the puck off his stick taking away the scoring chance.

In their other game the Lions defeated the Clarence Creek Castors 6-2 propelling them into the “A” final with a better goals for and against record then the South Stormont Selects. 

Ben Lapier opened the scoring on some offensive pressure by his line mates Joshua Broad and Owen Fetterly. Lapier scored again in the second period when his centering pass to Broad was shot into the net by a Castor defenseman. 

Later on the two connected when Lapier’s centering pass was right on Broad’s stick in the slot.

The Lions put the game away when Trent Rae and Nolan Henry teamed up to set up Kayne McCadden in the slot.

A few minutes later Kolby Latulippe tipped in a McCadden shot giving the Lion’s a 5-2 lead. 

Lapier finished it off to complete a three-goal performance.

In league play over the last week, the Lion’s dropped two games at the hands of the Brockville Braves losing 5-2 in both games. Offensively the Lions couldn’t match the output of Braves forward Rhys Gibbons as he netted five goals in the two games. Lion’s goal scorers were Joshua Broad, Kayne McCadden, Ben Lapier and Kolby Latulippe. Owen Fetterly picked up a couple of assists and other helpers went to Nolan Henry, Broad, Lapier, Latulippe and McCadden.

Local hockey fans are invited to come out and cheer on the “We Can Contracting” Novice B Lions on Sunday, November 6, at 1 p.m.

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Over the last couple of years, the South Dundas Bantam B Lions and the CharLan Rebels have displayed quite the rivalry. Last Monday night, October 24, they were at it again. 

With the two teams evenly matched, their fans have come to expect exciting games from start to finish, and Monday night was no exception as they played to a 3-3 tie.

Both teams have several returning players from last year, and the Lions haven’t forgotten that  it was the Rebels who ousted them from the 2011 playoffs in a sudden death fourth game.

In the first period of last Monday night’s,  Zach ‘Big Z’ Frawley had a shaky start and gave up two quick goals in the first couple of minutes.  

The Rebels, Eric Lamarche nabbed the first one, and Tyler Akins made it 2-0. 

The frustrated Lions found themselves scrambling in their own end, and giving up the puck to the Rebels who had numerous scoring opportunities.  

Finally, with 5:40 remaining in the period, Riley Barry put the Lions on the scoreboard with help from Aaron Smith. 

The penalty free, first period saw the Rebels out shoot the Lions 9-5.

Early in the second period, the Rebels took a hooking penalty to give the Lions their first power-play opportunity of the game.  

The Lions had six great shots on net, but couldn’t put one past Rebels goaltender Jasper Leroux.

At 2:55 of the frame, Andrew Jarvis tied the game 2-2 after he blocked a Rebels shot, carried the puck through the Rebels defence and beat Leroux through the five hole.

Cameron Chayer (from Smith and Evan Mullin) gave the Lions a 3-2 lead on a shot from the slot, which beat Leroux on the glove side.

The Lions gave a better showing in the second period to out shoot the Rebels, 12-4.

In the third, ‘Big Z’ found his groove and was standing tall between the pipes.  

With Riley Black in the penalty box for slashing and Andrew Jarvis sitting out a four minute ‘hit to head’ penalty, the Rebels took charge with a five on three advantage for three minutes and 40 seconds.  

The Lions were doing everything right as they worked their way through the penalty kill, but they couldn’t hold on. 

With 43 seconds remaining in the penalties, CharLan turned the pressure up a notch to finally tie the match 3-3.

The Lions had a couple of good scoring opportunities as the seconds ticked away, but to no avail. The first was from on a face off in the Rebels end and the second, in the dying seconds, was from a Quinn Bennis partial breakaway. 

The Lions are looking for a speedy recovery for Spencer Heldens whose wrist was broken during the game.

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The season for the Morrisburg Curling Club is underway again, with several new curlers out. Normally we have a swing and sweep to start the season, nine holes of golf and six ends of curling. This year, with the uncertain weather and other factors, the numbers registering were down, and the executive had to cancel the event. Hopefully, we can get one in next fall.

There’s still room for additional curlers in most leagues. Just check with the coordinators. Several leagues have two draws, including Friday night, with 10 teams. Our Thursday morning mixed group has nine teams now, so a change may have to be made in their future, since there’s only room for six teams on the ice for each draw.

We welcome a number of new folks this year, and while some of our members have had health problems over the summer, most are back for another season.

Thanks to a huge number of volunteers in the executive and the Club’s general population over the summer, the clubhouse has been cleaned, painted, and refurbished, and new lights, using only one third of the electricity of the old ones are in place over the ice. Some of the work done is more subtle: dishes, etc., in the kitchen have been washed, glasses and other items in the bar have been readied, and we have some new carpeting at the entry. 

Also, schedules and bonspiel information are now downstairs, and the decorating committee has additional plans: something attractive for the walls, and perhaps some new carpet for the floors. Can’t wait to see what they’ve come up with!

Some of our curlers have been out to bonspiels already. 

The ladies were in Ottawa at the R.A. Centre last week. Alice Thompson, Betty Locke, Cheryl Thompson and Sharon Van Allen defeated a team from City View in their first match, but dropped a squeaker in their second to another City View team. Their total on the day, though, was good enough to get them to the prize table. On Friday they were off again, this time to Kemptville. The ladies played just one game, there, defeating an all-star team made up of curlers from Carleton Heights and Carleton Place. Congratulations to Alice Thompson, Susan McIntosh, Cheryl Thompson and Betty Locke.

On Sunday, Susan McIntosh held the season’s first of her popular two-person bonspiels. She had a full slate of 24 teams, and thanks toes to all who helped organize the day and look after the details, such as ice maintenance and serving lunch. Special thanks, as usual, to Dave McIntosh, who cooked up his famous chili for lunch all who helped and brought in food items and Donna McGillvary, who added her chili to the menu. 

As usual, the profits after prizes were awarded are returned to the club. Susan and her committee plan a bonspiel at the club every month, so watch the bulletin board in the lounge for information.

For those interested in results of the competition, here we are: in the ‘A’ final, Mahlon and Sam Locke defeated Ted Herriman and Gerry Thompson; in the ‘B’ final, Wally and Joanne Baker won out over Keith Robinson and Fred (Boomer) Langlotz; and in the ‘C’ final, Bill and Sonja Laurin triumphed over Gretta McGann and Sue McIntosh. The day featured good competition and fellowship. –A fine start to the competitive season.

That’s it for now. 

Good curling to all!

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Although he doesn’t plan to retire in the near future, nor take up golf for that matter, Stephen ‘Steve’ McCann has taken a big swing towards making golf a part of his retirement plans.

This Saturday, McCann is hosting a grand opening for his new business, Luxury Links, an indoor golf program complete with a Full Swing golf simulator located at 91 Main Street in the Morrisburg Shopping Plaza, east of Thom Travel.

McCann kicked off his golf simulator business venture in mid-August, when he went to work to renovate the building to accommodate the hitting area.

“My idea was to design a comfortable place for people to come in and have a game of golf, and I am really pleased with the way it has turned out,” he said during an open house this past weekend.

In addition to the room that houses the Full Swing golf simulator, golfers will be able to relax in a lounge area, where coffee and vending machine snacks and beverages are available.  (The facility is not licenced.) A washroom area is located at the back of the building.

“This is two months worth of work. I started it on August 17th, and completely gutted it. I lost about 20 pounds,” he says of the construction phase that was done in the evenings and on the weekends.

A self-professed non-golfer, McCann says he first considered the idea back when Caldwell Linen Mill in Iroquois closed and he was out of a job. Although he found work at the St. Lawrence Medical Clinic, “the idea has been brewing for six years.”

Now as the golden years draw closer, he’s 57, he says he wanted to get something in place that would give him something to do.

A market study told him there are, “11 golf courses (in a 35km radius of Morrisburg) with an estimated 6,000 golfers. The closest indoor simulated golf experiences are at South Mountain and Prescott. After that you have to go to Brockville or Ottawa. There is nothing to the east. I have a seven year plan. If this works out, I’d like to open others in the area.”

What sets Luxury Links apart from other simulated golf setups, is that it is a member-only club.

McCann sees competitive/experienced golfers joining to stay at their game during the off-season, and the more casual and non-golfers using it for entertainment.

Hours of operation are from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily, seven days per week and club membership is limited to 60 contracted membership hours. Once 60 hours have been contracted, the membership will be cut off, and that will leave an additional 40 hours available to the members each week for extra play.

There are three membership categories with corresponding fees and a fee schedule for extra play. 

First to drop in to the open house was Morrisburg golfer, Jim ‘Sudsy’ Whelan, who was completely sold on the concept and impressed with the facility even when his first shot, off the first tee at Pebble Beach, went only 220 yards. Shot two, was 140 yards into the rough, followed by a chip that left him with a 15.7 foot, downhill breaking right to left, putt…which he missed.

“It’s a riot,” says McCann. “I had my IT guys in the other night and they had a great time. And none of them play golf.”

The Luxury Links program offers 12, 18 hole golf courses, two par three courses and a driving range. Complimentary left and right hand clubs are available.

“Pebble Beach is what everyone seems to like,” says McCann explaining the simulators were originally built for training tools, but soon were “recognized for their entertainment value.”

The simulator can be set up for sunny or cloudy days, with or without wind. There is even a ‘shot booster’ button for maximum yardage and the option to add spectators who will cheer you on.

Shot accuracy and speed are measured by two 360 degree tracks on the Full Swing simulator, which according to McCann was one of the first developed. “When the ball bounces back, it measures the slice/hook. There’s a three point measurement.”

Luxury Links will not be manned. Members will have their own access cards and bookings can be made online.

The unique membership pricing system has been done to make “it much more affordable.”

“I’m excited,” said McCann. “I think it is going to be good, once people get used to it.”

“A couple can come out and have some exercise and fun, or a foursome can get together. It is meant to be an affordable alternative to having to travel to play.”

“I can see members come in for coffee and sit around and visit…golf buddies who maybe don’t see much of each other in the off season.”

“I travelled to Ottawa last winter,” said Whelan. “I had a Myrtle Beach trip planned, and I wanted to swing some before I left. This is great to have this here.”

“Memberships will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis, up to the 60 contracted hours. I could book more, but that is not my goal. The season will run from October through April and reduced prices for members will be offered during the summer golf season.”

“I’m the best kept secret in town right now and I don’t want that.” 

People can drop in to the grand opening Saturday from 1-5 p.m., check the website at www.luxurylinks.ca or call 613-643-3003 and leave a message.

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At the end of 2010, Luke Whitteker won a scholarship for the Race 101 Program in North Carolina, a scholarship that will culminate in his graduation later this fall. 

During the first few months of 2011, he traveled once a month to Charlotte, North Carolina to attend classes and learn  about the motorsport industry, from on track skills to chassis set up, and all things technical to the off track skills of marketing and communication. 

Throughout the year, the young Iroquois driver participated in online seminars (webinars), as the learning experience continued about the motorsports industry, and all aspects of it.

On the track in 2011, Whitteker posted a season high second place finish at Cornwall Speedway on July 24th, and a season high third at Autodrome Granby on July 22nd. 

He began his first season at Granby driving for the Clement Henri team, but posted his best finishes after switching back to his own Whitteker Motorsports ride. He finished the season ninth overall at Granby, and was the track’s top rookie driver this year. 

At Cornwall, Whitteker finished the year sixth overall in track points With the last three events of the season falling to rain, he lost any chance he had to make up ground and move into the top five.  

He also started the year running the Mr. DIRTcar 358 Modified championship series, but decided to end their season in late September to focus his attention on his first year studies at Carleton University, as well as the end of the Race 101 Program.

Over the course of the year, Whitteker Motorsports proudly supported the CHEO Foundation (Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario) in Ottawa, raising money through t-shirt and merchandise sales.  

They donated nearly $1,000 to the CHEO Foundation and with some t-shirts still on hand, that figure could go even higher.

With the 2011 racing season over locally, Whitteker has plans to return to North Carolina to finish up the Race 101 program and graduate. 

During the first week of November, he will participate in class seminars, and will be provided the opportunity to turn some laps in a Race 101 prepared pavement Late Model at the famed Hickory Motor Speedway in Hickory, North Carolina.

Currently, all Race 101 students are participating in a social networking contest and Luke is seeking help from everyone to go to the Whitteker Motorsports Facebook page and simply “like” the page.  

The more votes Luke gets, the better his chances are of winning the contest.  At last glance, Luke is leading the contest, which ends very soon.  

Go to  HYPERLINK “http://www.facebook.com/whittekermotorsports” www.facebook.com/whittekermotorsports and click on the “like” button at the top.

Whitteker Motorsports had great sponsorship support during the 2011 season from Rust Check, Coldwell Banker, Steve Summers Coburn Realty, Jim’s Performance Plus, Parcoll Products/Napa Auto Parts, Quaker State, Riverside Pontiac, Thompson Tim-Br Mart Iroquois, Toy Storage, Wells and Son Construction, 730 Truck Stop, Lloyd McMillan Equipment Ltd., ERD Engine Research and Development, Cohen and Lord Insurance and Finish Line Web Design.

Luke Whitteker and the Whitteker Motorsports team are currently looking for sponsors for the 2012 racing season.  

For more information, please contact Luke Whitteker at  HYPERLINK “mailto:lukewhitt@ripnet.com” lukewhitt@ripnet.com.

Whitteker also is grateful for the hard work of his pit crew which this year included Dustin Gillard, Travis McMillan, Jeff Whitteker, Kyle Dingwall, Joe Janson, Shawn Nixon, Julie Nixon and Kevin Whitteker.

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