Sports

 

After losing their North Dundas Minor Hockey Association tournament opener to the Osgoode/Rideau Senators, the South Dundas Midget B House Lions got back on the right track here Saturday, December 6, with a 2-1 victory over the Char-Lan Rebels.

The win against the Rebels put the Lions in the B championship final against Ottawa’s WEHL, which ended in a 4-1 Lions victory.

The Lions dominated the play against WEHL in the B championship, going up 1-0 in the first period and leading 4-0 after two.

Goaltender Christian Francis gave up his shut out to E. Dekemp with 3:2- left in the third period.

Ewen Baril scored unassisted less than one minute into the first period to give the Lions the 1-0 advantage.

That was followed by the three, second periods goals scored by Trevor Nicolaassen, (from Ben Byvelds and Francis), Tyler Nelson, unassisted, and Nelson for goal number two, with help from Backes and Francis.).

The Lions opened in the tournament with the 4-1 loss to the Osgoode/Rideau Senators.

The Sens posted two first period goals, and added another two in the third period for a 4-0 lead.

Tyler Nelson scored the lone Lions goal with 2:17 left in the game, with Drew Gillard and Nicolaassen providing the assists.

The loss bounced the Lions to the B side of the tournament where they met and defeated the Char-Lan Rebels in a 2-1, come-from-behind, nail biter.

The Rebels got on the scoreboard against Francis midway into the first period, and their 1-0 advantage held throughout the second period.

Then finally at 1:03 of the third period, Tyler Nelson counted for the Lions to even it, 1-1.

At 5:01, Backes found the back of the Rebels net for the winner with help from Nelson and Baril.

The Lions player of the game awards went to goaltender Christian Francis against the Sens, Matt Backes in game two against the Rebels and Tyler Nelson in the championship final.

[…]

 

“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.

[…]

 

The Spikes Volleyball program wrapped up at Seaway District High School on Sunday, with a two-hour Clinic provided by six members of the Ottawa University Women’s Volleyball team.

“The Ottawa U players ran the girls through some challenging drills in all the elements, and we finished the day playing some three on three,” said Spikes program coordinator Andy Lee. “It was nice for our girls to see these girls play against each other on the court.”

This year’s Spikes program was hugely successful with 38 players attending from South and North Dundas, Maitland, Brockville and Kemptville.

“We had the most girls register ever this year, and we had to increase our coaching staff numbers to accommodate them” says Lee of the dedicated group of eight instructors who were on board for the program. “We had numerous skill-based  nights as well as clinics put on by Lindsay Waddell (Seaway’s Senior Spartan coach), Fraser MacIntosh (one of the RMC Kingston Women’s coaches) and of course our yearly Shanna Dawley workout night.”

“It is easy to see the improvements of the girls year after year with the increased court time.”

Lee also concluded that the decision to include grade 7 players was a good decision, and starting up earlier in October means the girls are ready for the start to the high school season.

“Both Seaway High, the UCDSB and Seaway’s custodial staff have been very accommodating, with the use of the gym and the fitness room.”

“We also had a tremendous group of coaches this year. Many of them played high school volleyball and want to give back.”

“It all combined to ensure the continued success of the Spikes program.”

[…]

 

The Morrisburg Junior B Lions kept pace with the Athens Aeros, here Friday night, and twice recovered from a one goal deficit to tie the game. But a power-play goal at 12:22 of the third period was the deciding factor in the 5-3 Aeros win.

Parker Grant counted what would be the winner for the Aeros on their power play to break open a 3-3 tie, and the Aeros held on to the 4-3 advantage until the final minute of play, when Nathan Foster put the puck in the empty Lions net for the 5-3 Aeros win.

Ty Hannaford opened the Aeros scoring at 9:08 of the first period, and Cole Blanchard evened it on the Lions power play with help from Ryan Griffin at 10:46.

Nathan Foster allowed the Aeros to carry a 2-1 lead into the second period with his goal at 19:03 of the first period.

Zack Renfrew, (from Michael Paquette) tied the game, 2-2, at 2:06, but again the Aeros came charging back, this time with a Nathan Foster power-play goal at 4:56 of the second period.

The Aeros successfully guarded their 3-2 advantage until 11:01 of the third period when the Lions Jacob Kendrick counted from Dallas Blacksmith to even the game at 3-3.

Just over one minute later Parker Grant counted the winner.

John Gilmer was in net for the Lions loss and Greg Carre saw action for the Aeros. They both faced 33 shots on net.

The Aeros sat out 40 minutes of penalties on 16 infractions, and the Lions were assessed 38 minutes on 15 infractions.

The Aeros counted twice on their power play and the Lions once.

The Lions had just the one game on the weekend and that loss combined with a pair of Char-Lan Rebels wins results in the Lions dropping into the St. Lawrence Division’s bottom position with 12 points.

The Rebels have now pulled ahead into fifth place with 15 points and have one game in hand over the Lions.

At the top of the division, the Casselman Vikings lost their first game of the year to the Winchester Hawks, 8-3. They lead the division with 37 points, followed by the Hawks with 24.

The Alexandria Glens with 23 points and the Akwesasne Wolves with 21 are next up. 

Coming up this weekend, the Lions have two home games.

The will host the Prescott Flyers Saturday night, December 6 at 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday afternoon, December 7, the Alexandria Glens will be in town for a 2:30 p.m. start.

[…]

 

Last week our senior men swept to the fore, with the Parnell competition starting up again, and a bonspiel in Winchester.

In the “Battle of the St. Lawrence”, Prescott, Cornwall and Lancaster came to Morrisburg, on Friday, for bragging rights in this first renewal. 

Peter Zeran’s group of Sam Locke, Earl Jeacle and Bud Perry were in tough in their first match against the top Cornwall team in the morning match, while Cornwall #2 defeated the first Prescott foursome. Lancaster’s team defeated the other Prescott quartet before the usual delicious luncheon.

In Morrisburg’s second match, our fellows had a much better result against the other Cornwall team, but their one and one record was not enough for them to win the overall Parnell title. 

Lancaster won both of their matches, but Cornwall’s Viau team claimed the Parnell trophy with a better total score. They will defend their title at the next Parnell match up in Cornwall, in January, where we are allowed two teams. It was exciting curling, with some great shots by the six teams involved. 

The Parnell trophy was donated by Jack Parnell in honour of his father, Jack Parnell Sr., Morrisburg curlers both. After years of winners, there’s no more room on the trophy, and a shield is now in use. 

Pete Zeran’s foursome defeated Jack Barkley’s team last Tuesday for the right to be our sole representative for Friday’s Parnell play. The Barkley team included Don McMillan, Jack Barkley, Doug Jarvis and Dave King. Peter’s team curled well and defeated their opposition handily to earn the right to represent Morrisburg, on Friday.

Back in Winchester, Don McMillan, Jack Barkley, Doug Jarvis and Dave King dropped a match to Metcalfe, but defeated a Russell quartet to finish third in their draw. Our other team, Peter Zeran, Mahlon Locke, Maurice Kolff and Larry Ware also won one game, against Cornwall, but lost against the Maxville competition.

Our teams noted that the ice was slower than when our Gamble foursomes competed there recently. It was a fine day, though, with good companionship, good food, and a chance to measure themselves against other eastern Ontario men.

A Grey Cup party and a friendly bonspiel were held at the club on Sunday. All three sheets were in use, and then our curlers settled in for a meal and an exciting Grey Cup game. 

On Tuesday we enjoyed our annual ladies’ invitational bonspiel, and we’ll have those results next time.

December 10 is the date for our delayed Russell mixed invitational, and December 13 will see our Christmas bonspiel and banquet. 

On December 20 and 21, Morrisburg hosts the senior men’s and women’s zone playdowns. For you young seniors (50 and over), why not put a team in? See Mahlon Locke or President Ruth Kelly for details.

We’re glad to see our little rockers doing so well in bonspiels. They’re having a busy year, and a few will be moving to the bantam ranks next year from our huge little rock numbers. Thanks again to the Wilsons, who work so hard with our young curlers.

That’s it for now. Good curling to all!

[…]

 

The South Dundas Atom B Lions packed a powerful offensive punch here Saturday, November 29 when they connected for a 11-2 win over the hosting NGS Braves.

The Braves struck early, just 59 seconds into the first period with an unassisted goal by Mason Mekker. 

Cam Shaver evened the score at 7:58, when he took a pass from Quade Mullin, head faked a defender then fired a wrist shot past Braves goaltender Jane McManus.  

Just over a minute later, Spencer Barclay set up Sam Connors to give the Lions a 2-1 lead.  

Braden McRae tied the game 2-2, after taking a feed from Matthew Lalonde at 3:24, and it appeared that the period would likely end that way until Dryden Buter, from James Martens, put the Lions in front for good with 1:16 left on the clock.

The Lions didn’t look back from that point on and scored four more times in the second.  

Owen Patterson got it rolling when he finished off a pretty passing play by his linemates Buter and Martens and Monty Dejong got an unassisted marker to make it 5-2.  

Buter made it 6-2, assisted by Patterson and with just 37 seconds left in the period, D-man Nate Paulino got his second of the season, unassisted.

The third period was similar to the second period, with the Lions putting up another four goals.  

Dejong got his second of the game after taking a pass from Shaver to make it 8-2.  

The Lions got more offence from their defence when Stefan Kronstal got his first goal of the year, unassisted, and Patterson made it 10-2 with help from Dejong.  

Buter completed a three goal performance after being setup by his winger Martens to close out the scoring at 2:38 and give the Lions the 11-2 win.

Brayden Lalonde-Thomspon who was called up from the Atom C Lions to play goal, had a good effort in net.

This was the Lions fourth victory in a row.  

Lions next action will see them on the road this Saturday in Perth tournament.  

Sunday, the Lions will host South Grenville, and are hoping for a win to “leapfrog” them in the standings.  The Lions currently sit third in the East, a point behind South Grenville with two games in hand. 

[…]

 

Glenn Cougler’s annual stick bonspiel was held in Morrisburg, on Wednesday November 19, and raised nearly $500 for the club. 

Our Pete Zeran won his games handily and won the overall championship with some deadly shots and skilful strategy.  His team, Karl Duncan and Don and Laurie Lazenby curled well, and were full value for their trophy-winning play.

They defeated McGinnis from Prescott in the morning and the local McGann foursome in the afternoon. 

Four local teams were involved, as well as foursomes from North Grenville, whose skip, Virginia Cunningham, won both games in her draw, and teams from Russell, Winchester, Prescott, Maxville, Lancaster and Cornwall.  

Sid Morrell, Bud Perry, Neil Williams and Andy Patenaude played well, losing their first match, but emerging victorious in the second, while Greta McGann, Kathy Johnston, Kathy Killick and Linda Murphy won their morning game, but lost in the afternoon against Pete Zeran. Greta’s quartet finished third overall.

Our fourth local team was Keith Robinson, Arnold Barkley, Bill Laurin, and Ron Brinston. They played with skill and enthusiasm, but the happy warriors were unable to solve their opposition in their morning and afternoon matches.Glenn arranged a top competition, with two full draws, plenty of volunteers, good food for the competitors, and fine prizes for the players. He’s gradually built this event to be a great annual success, and a boon for those of us who need to use the stick to continue playing the sport we love. Thanks again, Glenn!

      A team of our over 70’s men was in Navan last week for their annual bonspiel. Sid Morrell, Neil Williams, Andy Patenaude and Bud Perry played two Carleton Heights teams, losing the first match by a single point, but winning their afternoon game. They had a great time and enjoyed a delicious lunch. 

Sorry Bud, your secret is out; you look youthful, but you’re almost as old as I am. No prize money for the Morrisburg foursome, but you all played well.

We’re told that four of our little rockers competed recently in a bantam bonspiel, and acquitted themselves well against older and more experienced curlers.

We had ladies’ teams at bonspiels in Brockville and Lancaster last week. 

In the former, Greta McGann, Kathy Norg, Yvonne Mabo and Linda Murphy curled well. They won both games, defeating North Grenville in the morning and Smiths Falls in the afternoon. Royal Kingston finished first and took the trophy, while Greta’s foursome finished second and got their names on the trophy as well.

In the Lancaster bonspiel, Alice Thompson, Betty Locke, Sharon Van Allen and Sandra Beckstead lost their first match against Lancaster on the final rock, but won their afternoon game against Cornwall. Their victory enabled them to get the high one-game score, with suitable prizes. Well done, ladies!

That’s it for now. 

[…]

 

Dennis Casselman has put the rumours to rest with his recent announcement that the 15-year-old back nine portion of the Cedar Glen Golf Course located east of Williamsburg has been sold to neighbouring farmer Robert Byvelds. 

In an interview on Monday afternoon, Casselman said the sale of the back nine land will probably be finalized in late January.

It’s pretty disappointing for us,” said Casselman. “The way things have been going, every year the revenue is dropping and the expenses are going up.”

With two thirds of the 165 acre property occupied by the back nine layout, Casselman says that two thirds of the maintenance budget was going on the very spacious back nine holes which totalled 3,453 yards from the blue tees.

In addition to the longer holes, the back nine Cedar Glen holes featured huge expansive greens, large-sized tees and extensive mowed areas between holes.

With the Byvelds farm expected to put the land back into crop production, Casselman says it is certainly not something he or his family want to see. 

Casselman recalls the building of the back nine holes and its opening in July of 1999, with his sons David and Paul and workers, David Stewart, Bunny Bennet and Randy Burke. “They were a great bunch of guys, and we all put in a lot of hard work.”

Although the back nine is sold, the Casselman family is pleased to be able to keep the land for the driving range intact along with the parking lot and current clubhouse location.

The northern boundary will be along the North tower line, which runs about halfway through the current 10th tee.

“Basically, we had too many holes and not enough golfers,” says Casselman of the current trend of fewer members and decreasing guest play in the golf industry. The current Cedar Glen membership of 350 members is well down from when the game was peaking in this area in the mid to late 90s.

 “All the revenue streams are down,” says Casselman. “It isn’t just the fewer green fees and fewer members, but the members are getting older and not sticking around as much. And there just isn’t the young people coming up. Around here, it is also crazy competitive.”

“Our membership is great. We have a very longtime loyal membership. We have met a lot of nice people and made a lot of friends over the years We are hoping that most of them will stay with us, but we do realize that we are going to lose some for sure who enjoyed the 18 holes. That is why they were here.”

“So far the reaction from the members is that they are sorry to see it [back nine] go, but happy that we were able to hold onto our front nine. We still have our club, it’s intact and our nine hole original course is intact.”

Dennis who is 70 and perhaps looking forward to a little retirement golf himself, says [son] David will be getting more involved. “The 18-hour days are getting hard for me to take.”

For the 2015 golf season, members and the golfing public at the Cedar Glen Golf Course can expect conditions to be every bit as good as they were this past summer, and they were great. Casselman suggests that they will even get better with the focus now on just nine holes.

Work continues on the new tee on the second hole and plans are in the works for some other sodding in needed areas.

“It’s going to be a challenge, but we will make the best of it. We look forward to continuing with all the fun events of the past and to develop new ones. We believe that with the lessened pressure of maintaining the entire 165 acres, we will be able to provide better facilities, better course conditions and an even more enjoyable golf experience.”

Golfers were out and about thanks to the warm spell earlier this week and play will continue until the snow flies…again.

In the spring, it will be golf as usual at Cedar Glen with golfers returning to the 42 year old original nine holes for their action.

[…]

 

There were nearly 50,000 participants in the 2014 New York City Marathon, November 2, but only one of them was from South Dundas, Ontario. Seaway District High School principal, Don Lewis, finished the gruelling race, which takes in five boroughs of the Big Apple, in a time of 3:36.09. 

From start to finish, Lewis found the marathon challenging and exhilarating: he has nothing but praise for the race organizers, the police who lined the route and for the ordinary people of New York City who turned out in their thousands to support the international runners, many of whom had travelled thousands of miles to take part. 

“The crowds were huge; at places like 1st Avenue, five or six people deep,” Lewis said. “I was wearing a red shirt with Canada written across it, and I could often hear people shouting “Go Canada!” when I ran by. It meant a lot.” 

Lewis dedicated his run to raising awareness about PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) which has affected a member of his family.

Lewis has taken part in six previous marathons, including the run in Ottawa (now a gold standard meet) four times. He has been training six days a week since June to prepare for the world class NYC event. 

On Sunday, November 2, all the runners were bussed to the start point of the race, on Staten Island, around 6 a.m., although the event did not begin until after 9 a.m. 

“It was a little chilly waiting,” Lewis said, “although later in the day it was ideal running weather (except for the wind which got gusty at times), around 8-9 degrees Celsius. The organizers are really efficient. There are four different start times, and within each of the start times there are six different corrals.”

“Wheelchair athletes start first, then the elite women, then the elite men. The elite runners are all in serious contention so they can’t get caught up with the masses. Everyone runs at his own pace. I noticed,” he laughed, “that the guy running next to me was actually in his bare feet.”

Lewis said that he felt really good for the first 30 kilometres. “Then, around the Queensboro Bridge, I thought oh boy, my quads are shot. Gusts of 60 kph wind in some places really slowed the race, and cross breezes on the bridges made it tough. My hat blew off. Everyone’s racing bibs were flapping up and down like sails: you can’t lose your bib, so you end up holding on to it as you run. There are also slight upgrades on 5th Avenue, and I remember thinking are these hills ever going to be done?” 

Then he saw the 800 metre sign in Central Park, “and I got that adrenalin rush. I’m going to finish this race.”

Lewis crossed the finish line a little over three and a half hours after he started. There are medical tents at the end of the race because some runners experience cramping and some distress, but Lewis said that he was all right. He was given a poncho to wear until he could back to where he had left his outer clothes at the start of the race. He was also given his precious medal of participation, which he was able to get engraved the next day. 

Principal Lewis is very encouraging to Seaway students who want to get involved in running. 

“I try to suggest that kids try a 2, 5, 10 or half marathon, or a full marathon in Ottawa. We have a lot of kids in our local schools who have been attempting the Kids Marathon, a local event, and there is technology for young runners to track their progress. We’ve got some students now who are seriously working on distance running.”

There was a time when the four minute mile was “the Holy Grail of running. But now it’s the two hour marathon.” There was only seven seconds between the first and second place women marathoners, three seconds between the men. A two hour marathon may one day be reality. 

Would he compete in the New York City Marathon again?

Don Lewis says a resounding yes. “It was my toughest marathon so far. And next time I’ll factor in the hills and wind, and adjust my pace a little slower at the beginning, but yes, I want to go again. This was my fastest marathon since I took up running again last spring.”

[…]

 

 got off to a rough start in Alexandria, on Friday night, when the Glens put together a 7-4 victory, and it didn’t get any better Saturday, November 15 against the Winchester Hawks.

The Saturday night effort in Morrisburg saw the Hawks come out on top by a 10-3 score.

Although it remained relatively close in the first periods of both games, the Lions couldn’t keep it together in the second periods.

Friday night in Alexandria, Bradley Gabbour put the Glens on the board 3:32 into the first period and Zack Renfrew (from Cole Beckstead and Cole Fowler) evened it at 8:57.

That was it until the second period when the Glens struck for three more from the sticks of Adam Cooke, Tristan Sabourin and Ben Poirier. That put the Glens up 4-1 heading into the third period.

In the third, the Lions found their game and managed to tie the period, 3-3, but they couldn’t erase the damage done in the three goal, Glens second period.

Scoring for the Lions in the third period were Michael Paquette (from Zack Renfrew), Renfrew (from Paquette) and Dallas Blacksmith on the Lions power play (from Cole Fowler).

Gabbour answered for the Glens to complete a three goal performance and Poirier counted his second goal.

Keiran Weir was in the Lions’ net for the loss, and Nicholas Maheux got the win for the Glens. Weir faced 33 Glens shots, while Maheux faced 34 from the Lions.

The Lions served 58 minutes on 13 infractions and the Glens sat out 40 minutes on 12 infractions.

Saturday night, the Hawks were in town to pick up a 10-3 victory in front of the Lions home town fans.

Again the first period remained close. Steve Ray Adams opened the Hawks scoring at 4:11 of the frame, and Jacob Guillot answered back, unassisted, on the Lions power play at 7:07. The tie lasted until 10:04 of the first when Franco Gagnon gave the Hawks a 2-1 edge.

The second period belonged to the Hawks as they struck for four in a row to go up 6-1 before the Lions could get them stopped with a Michael Paquette counter, assisted by Zack Renfrew and Justin Rutley.

Josh Stubbings counted two goals against Lions goaltender John Gilmer in the second period, and Tim Conlin and Austin Rothe added singles.

The third period was again a Hawks affair, with the Hawks counting another four goals and the Lions managing only one.

Stevie Ray Adams completed a three goal performance with two counters and Kyle Richardson and Bryden Van Kessel added singles for the 10-3, Hawks victory.

Dallas Blacksmith scored for the Lions with Landon Veenstra and Jacob Kendrick providing the assists.

The game was unusually low in the penalty department. Just three minor penalties were assessed in the first period, two going to the Lions. The second period was played penalty free, and one minor was handed out to each in the third for a game total of 10 minutes served on five minor infractions.

Gilmer handled the entire game for the Lions and Brandon Lowry earned the Winchester win.

Coming up, the Lions host the Char-Lan Rebels, Sunday, November 23 at 2:30 p.m. 

The Rebels are chasing the Lions and this past week picked up two points on them with a 3-1 win over the Akwesasne Wolves.

[…]