Sports

 

Three senior men’s teams travelled to Cornwall last Wednesday for their last friendly bonspiel of the season. 

Unfortunately, our Cornwall hosts were not as friendly as they might have been on the ice. Refreshments before the game were great, (love that syrup for the coffee) and the lunch was superb, but our fellows had trouble getting the points they needed during their matches.

For the record, Martin Schneckenburger, Sam Locke, Bud Perry and Larry Ware, Al Harriman, Ron Beaupre, Keith Robinson and Eric Johnson, as well as Wally McDonald, Rick MacKenzie, Fred “Boomer” Langlotz and Earl Jeacle were able to claim free drinks from their opposite numbers in their games. 

It was a very pleasant day, however, ending with heart-felt good wishes, and the usual humorous anecdotes prior to the drive west. We look forward to more of these friendly matches next season.

There were also three senior mixed teams in Kemptville on Friday. This was a 222 bonspiel, with Mahlon Locke, Kathy Norg, and Sam and Claire Locke being our top team. They lost their first match against North Grenville, had a very good lunch, and then went out in the afternoon to triumph over one of the Navan foursomes.

Wally McDonald, Ruth Kelly, “Boomer” Langlotz and Joanne Baker tied their first match against Lynne Stacey’s Navan team but dropped their afternoon game against Richmond. 

The ice was problematic for all, but a couple of the rocks were “cutters” (I’ve been watching curling on television and heard about TSN’s “secret word”) and this threw off our athletes. I’m told that in one game, nobody on either team got a rock over the hog line in an early end. We really love what our ice technician has done for our curling.

Our final team, Keith Robinson, Alice Thompson, Rick MacKenzie and Sandra Beckstead, dropped tight matches to old friends from Manotick, the Froats team, and also lost to Lynne Stacey from Navan. Lynn finished third on the day behind Alexandria. 

All in all, it was a good day for our teams, with sunshine outside, pleasant hospitality inside, and modest prizes for all.

By the way, the final two-person bonspiel last Sunday featured Wally McDonald in the ‘A’ final rather than Wally Baker. Sorry for the error, fellows.

As to our little rockers, they had their windup night last week, and have come a long way this year, finishing in the middle of the pack in their zone playdowns with Ottawa, Cornwall and Perth. They also did extremely well in their first play down experience. Next season they’ll be a year older, and we look forward to great curling for them.

There are still a few openings for the early draw in our closing bonspiel on April 6, and for those not curling but wanting to come for the closing banquet around 6 p.m., don’t forget to sign up on the sheet in the lounge. 

We’ll have a summary of the year’s events, and a final look at what to expect at our club over the summer. The club championship will be competed for after the closing banquet, and we’ll look forward to events in the fall.

Good curling to all!

[…]

 

As March break comes and goes I’m sure you’ve been dreaming of swimsuits and tropical beaches and really, they’re not so far in the future.  The days may be getting longer and the temperature may be skyrocketing but in the rink winter isn’t over yet.  

With our annual year-end carnival just around the corner MDSC skaters are working as hard as ever to bring you a show you’ll never forget.  With performances from everyone from our little future Olympians to our dedicated star-skaters it’s sure to be a night of enjoyment.  

If interested you can find tickets at the door, Friday March 29, or you can purchase them ahead through any of our skating club members.  The canteen will be open and seating is available in both the heated lobby and stands.

Just because the year is coming to a close doesn’t mean the competitive season is finished.  Competitions include the much anticipated all Ontario championships, which Ali Vanhoof competed in this past weekend of March 24th in Fort Erie. We all had our fingers crossed for great results from Ali. And we’re not finished yet, Morrisburg is proud to say we have many Starskaters travelling to Ottawa for the annual Gloucester Spring Fest.  We wish everybody luck in their events and hope they can end their season with a bang!

 Just as the carnival is a MDSC ritual our annual banquet is a yearly tradition that we aren’t planning to break.  This year the awards ceremony will take place the evening of April 7th at the Morrisburg Legion.  Tickets can be purchased at the skating office and will include a dinner with dessert and an evening of awards and memories.  

A new tradition for our club began last year with the Ice Cream party for our Canskaters. It continued this year at the MacIntosh Inn and was a large success. Each of our skaters was treated to a homemade sundae and a medal of accomplishment.  Way to go Canskaters!  In addition, we would like to remind all of our Canskate parents and skaters that they to can attend the banquet.

Speaking of new traditions, many may remember the Fun Fair from last year.  Families could come and enjoy a day of games, bouncy castles and petting zoos all while supporting our club. It was such a success we are hosting another one this year. Watch for further details this spring.  

As you can see, the skating season may be winding down but this last month will be the busiest of all!  So, remember, skate great, and have fun!

[…]

 

Five three, five three, five three. Those were the winning numbers for the South Dundas Bantam C House Lions who swept their five point Upper Canada Minor Hockey League playoff championship series against the Kemptville Panther C2s with three consecutive 5-3 victories. 

The Lions claimed the 2012-13 UCMHL championship on Kemptville ice, Monday night with their third, 5-3 win. They took game one in Kemptville on Saturday, and won on home ice on Sunday to go up four points to zero.

Kody Arsenault led the Lions to their opening game, 5-3 win, with a hat-trick performance, which was key in a Lions comeback, after they trailed the Panthers 3-2 at the end of the first period.

Matt Backes (from Logan Hummel and Teisha Mullin) opened the Lions first period scoring and Arsenault (from Jonathan Mayhew and Logan Hummel) counted his first of three to keep it close. 

Then late in the second period Arsenault, unassisted, tied the game 3-3. He got the winner early in the third period with help from Logan Hummel.

Jane van Moorsel (from Tyler Nelson and Backes) finished it off for the 5-3 win, and the first two points of the series.

Back home on Morrisburg ice Sunday, the Lions came out strong, scoring two goals in the first two minutes of the game.

Mitchell Woodward got it rolling, unassisted, and Arsenault made it 2-0 with help from Logan Hummel.

The Lions held on to their 2-0 lead until early in the second when Thomas Bares put one past Lions’ goaltender Sam Waytowich to cut the gap to 2-1. In the last minutes of the second period, they evened it with a Matthew Lacelle goal.

Tyler Nelson put the Lions back into the lead with help from Backes early in the third, and then the two went to work to finish it off.

Backes counted the next two Lions goals at 12:04 and 14:41 of the third period, with Nelson assisting on both, for the second consecutive 5-3 Lions win and a four points to zero series lead.

Game three returned to Kemptville, Monday night.

Jean Guy Kronstal started the Lions on the road to the championship with an unassisted first period goal.

Nelson counted twice in the second period, and Logan Hummel (from Arsenault) and Nick Wolley (from Tyler Rae and Ben Byvelds) counted singles in the third for the 5-3 win and the final two points of the championship series.

Win east division in two straight

The Lions advanced to the UCMHL championship against the Panthers after claiming the East Division championship last Wednesday, March 20 in Morrisburg with a 5-2 victory against the NGS Braves.

The Lions opened the four point East Division championship series in Maxville on Sunday, March 17 with a 4-2 win, thanks to a three goal, third period comeback effort.

Scoring for the Lions were Backes, with two goals, and Jane van Moorsel and Kody Arsenault with singles. Nelson, Backes, Tyler Rae and van Moorsel all picked up individual assists.

Tyler Nelson led the Lions to the 5-2 game-two win and the east division championship on Morrisburg ice last Wednesday with two goals. Backing his effort were Arsenault, Rae and Mitchell Woodward.

Picking up assists in the game were Jonathan Mayhew, Logan Hummel, Nick Woolley, Ewen Baril (two), Backes, Tyler Rae, and Ben Byvelds.

[…]

 

With the South Dundas Peewee B House 1s and the Peewee B House Lion 2s heading into the fourth game of the five point Upper Canada Minor Hockey League series last night (Tuesday, March 26) a win by either team was needed to end it…and a tie to extend it to a fifth match.

The two evenly matched Lions teams played to an opening game 1-1 tie, Friday March 22, leaving the Mark Froats family the winner of the night with $1,000 raised through the Pack the Rink night.

Saturday, coach Rob Casselman’s #1 Lions turned it up a notch to claim a 4-2 victory and that was followed by a rebound from David Lapier’s #2 Lions on Sunday afternoon with a 7-3 win.

The community has been out in high numbers to support the two young teams with close to 300 fans, some cheering for both teams, attending each of the three games. And those 300 cheering fans have been entertained with some top notch hockey, offensively and defensively.

Both teams have been receiving solid goaltending and in each of the games, each of the two goaltenders Wes Alexander for the B1s and Sam Waytowich for the B2s have come up with some spectacular and very timely saves.

Friday night neither of the two teams could get an edge.

All even after series opener

After a scoreless first period, Lapier’s B2s went up 1-0 on an unassisted Dean Lapier goal, when he jumped on a turnover just inside the blue line and scored on a wrist shot from the high slot area.

Then midway through the third period, the B1s Kasper Furo set the Bennis brothers up for a two on one, and a beautiful passing play goal from Lucas to the stick of Jonah tied the game 1-1.

And that was it until Saturday afternoon, when the two teams skated onto the ice for game number two.

B1s take series lead

This time out Casselman’s B1s took charge early. Devin Dumoulin got it started with an unassisted first period goal and that held until early in the second when the B1s went up 2-0 on their power play.

This time it started when Jonah Bennis won the face off in the B2s end. He dropped it back to Connor Dumoulin who slid it to an unguarded Lucas Bennis at the corner of the B2s net and just 27 seconds into the second period the B1s were up 2-0.

But Lapier’s B2s came charging right back when Oakley Beavers slammed home a lose puck just over a minute later to tighten the count to 2-1.

The score held until late in the second period when Lucas Bennis counted his second of the game with help from line mate Connor Dumoulin.

Midway into the third period, while the B1s were again on their power play, another winning face off set the stage for a Connor Dumoulin goal when he picked off a rebound from a Brady Smith shot.

Lapier’s B2s got one back, a short-handed goal from the stick of Brody Smail assisted by Austin Robinson.

That left the BS with a 4-2 win and a three points to one lead in the five point series.

B2s Get Back Into It

In game three, Lapier’s B2s hit the ice looking to stay alive in the series, but quickly fell behind 2-0 in the first three minutes of the first  period.

Devin Dumoulin got it rolling for the B1s with a power-play goal, assisted by Jonah Bennis at 2:52 of the frame. Then at 3:04, the B1S went up 2-0, this time with Connor Dumoulin counting, and Jonah Bennis and Noah Keeler providing the setup.

At 7:21 of the first period, Lapier’s B 2s got one back with Trinity Hanes and Austin Robinson providing the setup up for a Julenea Barnhartd counter.

Then early in the second period, Adam Lapier (from Robinson and Smail) evened it 2-2.

The tie lasted less than a minute when, Jonah Bennis made it 3-2 for Casselman’s B2s with help from Kendrew Byers and Brady Smith.

At 7:07 of the second period, Lapier’s B2s again battled back this time with a power-play goal scored by Barnhartd and assisted by Adam Lapier and Brooke Lapier.

From then on it was a back and forth battle as the two Lions teams tried to gain an edge. No headway was made in the second period, and they skated into the third period still tied 3-3.

With 7:34 left in the game, Adam Lapier gave the B2s a 4-3 lead with help from Grant Wells and Colin Minish, and just over four minutes later, Brooke Lapier added the insurance, unassisted.

The Bs got their next goal from Grant Wells assisted by Bryce Bradford and they finished it off for the 7-3 victory with an empty net counter from Minish with 1:04 left in the game. 

Lapier’s B2 win Sunday, evened the series at three points apiece and pushed it to a fourth game played last night, Tuesday, March 26, starting at 6 p.m.

 

[…]

 

The Little Rocks program at the Morrisburg Curling Club officially wrapped up the 2012-13 season Monday, March 18 with few fun ends of curling and a dinner. “This year was awesome with a great bunch of supportive parents and wonderful kids,” said Ian Wilson who co-runs the program with his wife Kathi. “The level of improvement was immense as the kids really enjoyed this sport. A lot of them are planning on coming back next year, and we will see the program develop to where Morrisburg will be a force to be reckoned with in the curling community.” This year’s Little Rocks program provided activity for 17 young curlers, seven of them out for their first season. Of the other 10, one is a fourth year curler, four have been playing for three years and five were curling their second season. Two of the curlers will move up to Bantam curling (13 years) next year. “Our program is growing and will continue to improve immensely as long as the kids stick with it,” said Wilson. Pictured above at their season ending curling party, are Little Rocks curlers, front l-r, Kyra Lewis, Arrieanna Brown, Annaka Gibbons, Markus Szuky, Erin Gibbons, Christian Meuller, James Szuky and Jonathan Charette. In the middle row are Abby Trizisky, Cameron Brown, Tommy Derikz, Hannah Gibbons, and Ewan Wilson. Back, l-r, are Ian Wilson, Mackenzie
Whyte (volunteer helper), Aiden White, Nick Goupil, Kristi Charette, Martina Lewis and Kathi Wilson.

[…]

 

As the 2012-13 hockey season winds down, the family of the late Ronnie Casselman remembered their father with bursary presentations made to two Morrisburg Junior B Lions and a Ron Casselman Memorial Fund presentation to South Dundas Minor Hockey’s Initiation Program.

On hand at the arena last Thursday to make the presentations were Ron’s children Kim, Kevin and Krista.

First up were the little folks of the South Dundas Minor Hockey Initiation program. On hand to accept the Memorial Fund presentation was Initiation Program convenor Matt McCooeye with coaches Steve Morrow and Bob Fetterly.

They were joined on the ice with this year’s Initiation program players.

“We are proud to make a presentation on behalf of the Ron Casselman Memorial Fund to the Initiation program of the South Dundas Minor Hockey Association in the amount of $500,” said Kevin Casselman in a press release. “Dad’s vision and objectives were very similar to those of the program.”

The Initiation hockey program was developed to make children’s first contact with hockey a safe and positive experience. It enables participants to become contributing members of a team effort, develop self-confidence and experience a sense of personal achievement. These goals are achieved in an atmosphere of fun and fair play.

“Dad believe that learning the basic skills at a young age to be so important, because it allows the children to skate more, make more passes, take more shots on net and have the puck on their stick more than in any game, and while having fun!”

“How a player gets that first taste of hockey is crucial,” said Kevin. “If the beginner has fun, developing the basic skills and building confidence, there is a good chance that the players will go on to enjoy hockey for many years, and one day become a Morrisburg Junior Lions (evenfor a short time) before further advancement.”

Ron Casselman, a lifelong resident of the area, passed away last November 13, 2012. Greatly respected in the local community and the hockey community, he exemplified what small town hockey teams are all about. For many years he coached boys and girls in the minor leagues, and in 1980, he purchased the Morrisburg Junior B Lions. During his 32 years with the club, he earned the respect and friendship of all those he met.

At the time of his death, friends and family made donations to the Ron Casselman Memorial Fund and it is these contributions that provided last week’s donations.

In addition to the presentation to the community’s minor hockey program, the Casselman family awarded a pair of $250 bursaries to Morrisburg Junior B Lions players Ryan Cooper and Sam Hodgson.

Goaltender Ryan Cooper has been with the Lions for a number of years.

“Ryan has always been such a positive kid, and now he has grown into this wonderful young man,” said Kevin. “He has always accepted situations that were out of his control and learned to be patient over the years. When he was told he wouldn’t be playing, that it wasn’t his game to play, he sat on the bench encouraging the guys. He has learned over the years to be tolerant, disciplined and confident and to always be dedicated and to respect others.”

“Hockey has never been just a sport for Ryan,” said Kevin. “It’s his passion every time he hits the ice. It’s helped him grow up with good social skills and taught him to interact with his peers. Ryan is definitely a team player and has always supported his teammates no matter what the situation was. Now it is time for him to move to the next chapter in his life with hopes of working with the police force.”

In making the presentation, the Casselman family also applauded the Lions longtime goalie for his volunteer work. This included working with young goaltenders in Valleyfield, Quebec during the summers of 2009-10.

He has also worked with the elderly at the St. Joseph Continuing Care Centre in Cornwall.Currently in a school placement with the RCMP, Ryan will attend St. Lawrence College in the fall in a Police Foundations course.

Joining Cooper to accept a bursary was Jr. B Lion Sam Hodgson, who says Casselman “plays the game with passion. Sam’s contributions and commitment to the hockey club goes deeper than stats. He understands the meaning of ‘sticking up for your teammates’ as an important part of creating the proper team cohesion while wearing the Lions gold and blue.”

“We had some young players who needed to know that people had their backs,” said Kevin. “In order to create a tight-knot group, they needed to know that guys were there to stick up for each other. Sam stepped up and was that teammate.”

A Morrisburg boy, Hodgson combined his hockey this past year with his schoolwork in the Police Foundations program at St. Lawrence College.

“It is with great pleasure that we make these $250 bursary presentations to Ryan and Sam,” said Kevin.

[…]

 

The South Dundas Peewee B House #2 Lions squeaked out a very close, come from behind, 2-1 win over South Grenville here Monday night to claimed the UCMHL West Division Championship and earn the right to advance to the league final against the South Dundas House #1 team.

A Jack Coville goal for South Grenville late in the first period did the talking throughout most of the game.

It came to a dramatic conclusion however, in the final minutes of the game when Grant Wells, with help from Dean Lapier and Colin Minish, finally put the Lions on the scoreboard to tie it 1-1.

Then with the seconds ticking away, and just 23 left, it was Adam Lapier, with help from Minish, who put it away for the Lions.

Game one of the four point series was played way back on March 7, in Morrisburg, with the Lions again squeaking out a close 2-1 victory.

Monday night they were first out of the starting block with an unassisted second period goal from Julenea Barnhartd.

Then early in the third period, Dean Lapier converted a Brooke Lapier and Trinity Hanes set up for a 2-0 Lions advantage.

South Grenville got one back from Robert Purcell late in the third to cut the gap to a single goal,  but that was it. 

After an opening playoff round bye, the House #2 Lions defeated the Kemptville 2s in two straight games in round two.

Game one was played in Morrisburg, on February 28, with the Lions taking a 3-2 win on goals by Oakley Beavers (unassisted), Kolbey Hamilton (assisted by Colin Minish) and Trinity Hanes (assisted by Julenea Barnhartd).

They wrapped up the four point series in Kemptville, on Saturday, March 2, with a 4-1 victory. This time out goaltender Sam Waytowich, gave up the lone Panthers goal early in the first period.

The Lions didn’t get it rolling until the third period when they counted four unanswered markers for the win.

Goals came from the sticks of Oakley Beavers (from Brody Smail), Kolbey Hamilton (from Grant Wells), Brody Smail (from Dean Lapier) and Adam Lapier (unassisted.)

[…]

 

The South Dundas Peewee B House #1 Lions won the UCMHL East Division Championship here Monday night, March 18 with a 3-1 win over Brockville.

The Lions opened the series on Morrisburg ice, Sunday, (March 17), with a 6-1 victory to claim the first two points of the four point series.

Monday night in Brockville, they went up 1-0 in the first period with an unassisted goal by Devon Dumoulin, after he broke up a two on one, skated the length of the ice, and deposited the puck in the five hole.

A scoreless second period featured very tight checking and kept the fans on the edges of their seats.

Then early into the third period, Brockville’s Ryan Duke tied it 1-1 from a scramble in front of the Lions net.

The Lions, however, responded quickly and just over a minute later Lucas Bennis again gave them a 2-1 lead with help from Jonah Bennis and Dumoulin.

Following the goal, the now frustrated Brockville team took a five minute roughing major which put the Lions on their power play. It was an opportunity they made the best of when Jonah Bennis, with a nice move on the Brockville goalie deposited the insurance marker with help from Noah Keeler and Sheridan Caines.

Brockville fought hard, and they pulled their goalie for the last minute of play, but Lions goaltender Wes Alexander stood tall and prevented them from getting back into the game.

The Lions are now preparing for the UCMHL championship final against the House #2 Lions starting this Friday night.

[…]

 

The South Dundas Peewee C Lions ended their 2012/13 season on a winning note here Sunday afternoon, when they defeated the Ottawa East Snipers 1-0, to claim the C Division championship of a day-long tournament.

It was Mackenzie Nelson, with help from Megan Mackay and Tyler De Dekker, who allowed the Lions to end the season with a win thanks to her goal scored in the last minute of the first period.

Michaela Mustard was in the Lions net for the shutout.

The Lions had a tough start in the tournament, and it was back-to-back losses that put them into the C final.

Their first game of the day was against Nepean Attack who claimed a 4-2 win.

Tyler De Dekker counted the two Lions goals, the second unassisted and the first with help from Mackenzie Nelson and Megan Mackay.

In game two, the Lions fell victim to the South Stormont Selects, 4-1.

De Dekker counted the Lions first goal late in the second period with help from Matthew Mackay and Kaitlyn Perry scored goal number two with help from Nathan Cameron and Amber Bailey.

The Selects led 1-0 after the first period and pushed it to 3-0 in the second period before the Lions were able to get on the scoreboard.

Tournament player of the game awards were presented to Tyler DeDekker in game one, Grace Brooks in game two and Katie Perry in game three.

Throughout the year the Pee Wee C Lions were presented Team Hustler/Hard Hat Awards after every game and after the three tournament games, the team awards went to Sarah Backes, Amber Bailey and Grace Brooks.

[…]

 

Our senior ladies were out again at bonspiels last week. Alice and Cheryl Thompson, Betty Locke and Sandra Beckstead were in Alexandria for their annual ladies’ bonspiel, renewing acquaintances with a team from Valleyfield, Quebec, (the overall winners,) and the rest from Eastern Ontario.

Our ladies had a pleasant day, although they dropped their morning match against a team from R.C.M.P. and also their afternoon game against Cornwall. Lunch was good, St. Patrick’s Day was the theme, and the weather was fine, so it was another happy outing for the ladies from the Morrisburg club.

The women were curling again last Thursday, with three teams competing in Winchester’s Grandmothers’ bonspiel. 

Susan McIntosh, Kathy Norg, Betty Locke and Leanne McCooeye won their matches against Prescott in the morning and Carleton Heights in the afternoon and finished first overall in the bonspiel. 

Greta McGann, Claire Locke, Joanne Baker and Linda Murphy won their morning match against Carleton Place, but lost against Buckingham, Quebec. Still, they made it to the prize table along with Susan’s team. 

Alice Thompson, Pat Foley, Sandra Beckstead and Nelda Hickman dropped both of their matches, against Carleton Heights in the morning and an R.A. team in the afternoon. 

This was an all-day event, with a light breakfast, followed by lunch and dinner, with some curling in between times. Ask some of our local ladies about their grandchildren. Perhaps they’ve hidden some grandmother/grandchild stories from us.

On Saturday, Gretta McGann, Cheryl Thompson, Betty Locke and Linda Murphy were in Prescott for the Ladies’ Invitational Bonspiel there. They dropped their morning match by a point against Manotick, had a fine lunch, with a St. Patrick’s Day theme, and then went out to do battle with a Prescott foursome, which they won, finishing in second place on the day.

Our senior men hosted Winchester for a friendly bonspiel last week. These friendlies consist of three games in the morning followed by a lunch, before the guests head back to their home club. 

Representing us were Pete Zeran, Ted Harriman, Maurice Kolff and Paul Dobry, who tied their match, and George Rutley, Arnold Barkley, Paul Gunther, Pete Byvelds, who lost theirs. Our third team of Don O’Brien, Len Bellamy, Glenn Cougler and Robert Martin defeated the visitors. Well done, fellows.

As usual, it was a pleasant day, with good curling, good food, and a chance to visit with friends. We’ve three more teams off to Cornwall for another friendly this week.

Robert Houze, Mahlon Locke, Joe McCooeye, John Toonders and Bev McQueen had their first game in the City of Ottawa Bonspiel last Thursday. They went on to play a total of seven, finally being eliminated on Saturday night. They won one more game than last year, and impressed with their play. Some great curling, fellows!

On Saturday, Susan McIntosh and her committee hosted her last two-person bonspiel of the year at the club, this time with a St. Patrick’s Day theme, including Irish stew! Jim and Wendy Casselman took the “C” division honours over Ron Beaupre and Pete Byvelds, Kathy and Ian Wilson triumphed over Kathy and Anjo Norg in “B”, and Paul St. Pierre and Ginette Gadbois defeated Wally Baker and Al Harriman for the “A” title. Congratulations and thanks to all involved in this money-maker for the club.

     Good curling to all!

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