Sports

Curling Milestones

It was another milestone for two of our senior curlers last week, as a crew from CJOH television dropped in to feature two of our over-ninety curlers, Dwight Gilmer and Eric Orgee. These men have been athletic all of their lives, and it’s an inspiration to the rest of us to see them still active at this age. Keep going, fellows! Remember, Jim Fraser was well over 100 when he retired. The segment should air Friday night during the sportscast on the early news.

Speaking of Jim Fraser, the final senior men’s draw was completed last week, and the trophy named in Jim’s honour was won by – wait for it – Sid Morrell, along with Len Bellamy, Paul Gunther and John Walsh (who had to drop out early in the draw). Some people have beaten Sid, but not often. 

Coming in a close second was another top curler, Don O’Brien, with Raymond Benoit, Gerry Thompson and Charlie Farlinger. Organizer Dave King has set up a fine season for us, and we thank him for this, and for the special events he has also arranged. These include the friendlies, the two-person senior bonspiels and other events.

Our senior men visited Cornwall last week for their final friendly matches of the season. The club can accommodate six teams at once, so three from Winchester joined us against the Cornwall hosts. 

It’s always good to renew acquaintances and make new friends at these events, and with about 50 curlers present, there were a lot of them. During conversation at lunch we learned that next year Cornwall’s new curling facility will be completely paid for, with $200,000 in reserve. Not bad for a 134 year-old club! 

Now to the bad news: our local fellows lost every match. Winchester fared a bit better, winning one game. For the record, the victims were: Martin Schneckenburger, Rick McKenzie, Fred ‘Boomer’ Langlotz and Steve Thompson; George Rutley, Doug Jarvis, Karl Duncan and Dwight Gilmer; Dave King, Ron Brown, Keith Robinson and Ted Harriman. In spite of our lack of success on the ice, we had a very pleasant day, and look forward to more of these events next year.

Last Friday, two teams of senior men drove to Kingston for their final bonspiel of the year. Jack Barkley, Dave King, Doug Jarvis and George Rutley beat a Perth foursome in the morning, and a Brockville team in the afternoon, finishing second on the ‘B’ side.

Sid Morrell, Raymond Benoit, Neil Williams and Al Herriman defeated Carleton Place in their first match, but had a tougher time in the afternoon against a fine Kingston team. Sid had to tap a rock back in the final end to extend the match, but the rock slid one inch too far. As a result, they finished seventh. Still, they each got a small box of steaks for their trouble – not as big a prize as the steaks Jack and his gang brought home, but excellent prizes all the same. 

The fellows had high praise for the Royal Kingston Curling Club. They raved about the beautiful facility, the prizes, and the meal the club put on. It was a fitting end to the season for the men, who, aside from the skins games they’ll play at our club this week, have finished for the season.

Curling in the ladies’ Tuesday afternoon curling and their Wednesday night league have finished, with no winner declared in either case, but a sociable wind-up to their seasons, as usual

The daytime mixed curling on Thursday mornings finishes tomorrow, followed by the usual luncheon and trophy presentation for the ten-team league. Good curling to all!    

[…]

For the second consecutive year, the North Dundas Devils are the holders of the Dundas County High School Hockey Cup following the final leg of action between the two Dundas County high schools, North Dundas and Seaway District, here on Friday, March 23.

In the final action, the North Dundas boys carved out an 8-0 victory over the Seaway Spartans to sweep the two game series. The Devils registered their first win on Morrisburg ice on Friday, February 24 by a 5-1 count.

Friday the Devils went up 1-0 in the first period, and then pushed it to 5-0 in the second period.

While the Seaway boys were unable to get much going against their opponents, the Seaway girls avenged themselves, for their opening game loss, with a 4-2 victory.

The Devils won the opening game in Morrisburg by a 2-0 count.

This time out the two played to a 1-1 first period tie, and Seaway moved ahead 3-2 in the second period as they headed for the 4-2 victory.

Lesley-Ann Tupper led the Seaway effort with two goals and singles came from the sticks of Vicki Van Hoof and Michaela Morrow.

The County Cup is awarded to the winning school based on the overall results from the home and home series. 

Although a similar hockey setup existed between the two school several years back, it was only re-introduced last year.

This also marked just the second year that Seaway has iced teams in the SD&G high school league.

[…]

MORRISBURG–The South Dundas “Collins Barrow” Novice B Lions were crowned tournament champions here last Thursday as the home team swept their three opponents. 

The Lions, who hosted the four team Novice B tournament and skills competition invited Athens, South Grenville and Brockville #2 along with a Brockville IP team to play the South Dundas IP’s to fill out the schedule. The fun-filled day was highlighted with a Dryer shoot out in the parking lot, kids and adults pounded that dryer with pucks for hours as they attempted to hoist the puck into the front door opening.

The Lions opened the tournament against the South Grenville Rangers and offensively exploded for eight goals, but also were extremely strong defensively in only giving up three shots in the shutout. 

Lion’s goaltender Brendan Shaver, who picked up his fourth shutout of the season, wasn’t tested, but did kick in offensively by picking up an assist on the Lion’s fourth goal. 

Shaver pushed the puck towards the corner after a Rangers dump in and defenceman Emytt Fetterly picked the puck up and made a short pass to Nolan Henry who went end to end to score on Rangers goalie, Khonner Jessome. 

Highlighting the game sheet was Kayne McCadden who picked up five goals including one on a penalty shot. 

With the Lions leading 4-0, McCadden got behind the Rangers defense and was heading to the net when he was fouled from behind for the a penalty shot. McCadden made no mistake and buried the puck for his hat trick. 

McCadden continued his scoring later in the third to cap off his five goal game as he celebrated with his line mates Joshua Broad and Owen Fetterly. The line made several big passes in setting up the goals and would combined for 10 points.

In their second game, the Lions took on the Athens Aeros and their skills champion goaltender Gavin McCarthy. 

The Lions built a 4-0 lead on two goals by Ben Lapier and singles by Joshua Broad and Nolan Henry. 

The home team scored an early first period goal and three second period goals before the Aeros broke up the possibility of the Lions going back to back with shutouts. 

Emytt Fetterly and Trent Rae teamed up on a line in the third period and get many opportunities but were turned back by the Aeros goaltender.

In their final game, the Lions faced the Brockville Braves who the Lions had just eliminated from the playoffs the week before. 

The Lions built a 5-1 lead and held on in the final minutes as the Braves netted three third period goals to close the gap to 5-4. 

The Lions scoring was all by the forward line of Ben Lapier, Kolby Latulippe and Nolan Henry. The trio teamed for 12 combined points on two goals by Lapier and Henry and a single by Laptulippe. 

Cassidy Bilmer jumped into the action picking up an assist on the opening goal.

In the skills competition all players participated in one of three events, Team Relay, Shootout and Hardest Shot. 

In the Team Relay, the Braves defeated South Grenville in the finals as the Lions were disqualified for an improper exchange. 

In the Shootout, Joshua Broad won the Bronze medal scoring in two of his four tries. 

The Lions dominated the podium in the Hardest Shot by grabbing the Gold and Silver. Kolby Latulippe out shot everyone with a 38 mph Howitzer and Trent Rae followed up with a 35 mph cannon. 

Other tournament game result: Brockville 5-Athens 1, South Grenville 4-Brockville 3 (OT), and South Grenville 4-Athens 2.

In five tournaments this season, the Novice Bs were “B” Finalists in a Novice A Tournament in Pakenham, “A” Finalists in Finch – when they lost in overtime in the Championship game. They were “B” Champions in Gananoque, and Tournament Champions in North Dundas and South Dundas.

The South Dundas “Collins Barrow” Novice B Lions will face the Brockville #1 Braves in the Upper Canada Minor Hockey League Championship Final. 

The five point series opens tonight, Wednesday March 21st in Morrisburg at 7 p.m. 

Game two is set for Brockville this Friday night, March 23 at 6 p.m. and the series returns to Morrisburg on  Saturday, March 24th  at 4 p.m. 

All games line up with the Bantam B Rep team who are also in the finals, come out and support your Lions!

The Bantams open their series at 8 p.m. tonight (Wednesday, March 21) and game three is Saturday, March 24 beginning at 2:30 p.m. in Morrisburg.

[…]

The South Dundas Midget House Lions finished off their season last Tuesday when they worked their way to the championship final of their March break home tournament.

After defeating Smiths Falls 3-1 and Cumberland 4-2 in preliminary round action, the Lions met Clarence Creek who claimed the tournament championship with a 6-2 win.

The Lions got rolling in the tournament, a non-body contact affair, with the 3-1 win over Smiths Falls.

With Hunter Jones in net, the Lions went up 1-0 on a first period goal by Chase DeDekker, assisted by Joel Johnston and Brody Picotte.

After a scoreless second period Dustin Morrison struck for Smith Falls early in the third period to tie the game 1-1.

Darrin Stinson then took over, scoring for the Lions, unassisted, to restore their one goal lead.

With 5:08 left in the game, he pushed the Lions advantage to 3-1 with help from Graydon Baylis.

In game two against Cumberland, the Lions struck early and struck often to go up 3-0 in the first period.

Baylis kicked it off with help from Sawyer Gillard, and then Gillard made it 2-0 with Parker Hart providing the assist.

Lions goal number three came from the stick of Brandon Bass with Jason Gallinger providing the assist.

While Lions goaltender Josh Martineau continued to hold Cumberland from the scoreboard in the second period, the Lions struck for one more.

This time it was Justin Schwerdtfeger doing the counting with help from Eric Swank.

Cumberland charged back in the third with an Alex Caudle-Dimillo goal, but that was it until the last minute of play when Jonathan Belleville struck for their second. 

The Lions held on for the 4-2 win and the right to advance to the championship against Clarence Creek.

Each of the four teams in the tournament played two games and then were ranked on period scores, and goals for and against.

Clarence Creek earned the first place ranking with 9.5 points with a 7-1 win over Cumberland and a 4-1 win over Smiths Falls.

South Dundas was second with 8.5, and Smiths Falls and Cumberland ended up tied.

Smith Falls defeated Cumberland 3-2 for the B championship.

In the A final, the Lions were unable to contain Maxime Brazeau who counted four of the six Clarence Creek goals. 

Singles were scored by Marc Andre Boucher and Sean Humen.

Scoring for the Lions were Graydon Baylis from Sawyer Gillard and David Plamondon, and Brody Picotte from Plamondon.

Jones and Martineau shared the goaltending duties.

The tournament marked the end of the season for the Lions who finished third in their division in the regular season.

They turned it up a notch in the playoffs to eliminate the Akwesasne Wolves in quarterfinal action and the Smiths Fall Bears in the semi-finals.

They lost to North Dundas in two straight games in their bid for the Upper Canada Minor Hockey League East Division championship.

[…]

The South Dundas Novice C Lions closed out the 2011-12 year on a very high note here on the weekend when they finished in the second annual 16-team Eric Gutknecht Memorial tournament as the A finalists. The Lions went undefeated in their three preliminary round games to earn their spot in the A championship final against the Alexandria Glens. 

Although they couldn’t contain the Glens, they walked away from the game very proudly as the A finalists.

“This year for our Novice C Lions was a year of great achievements, team spirit, great sportsmanship and team effort,” said team manager Lisa Froats. “They worked very hard as a team, and I am quite sure I can speak for all of the coaching staff when I say we have been very pleased to have shared a great season with a wonderful group of kids.” 

The coaching staff included head coach Chris Paulino, assistant coaches Mark Froats, Kelly Buter and George Menges, trainer Michelle Paulino, manager Lisa Froats and assistant manager Johanna Kronstal.

The Lions had a solid year. They ended the regular season in first place in their division with 41 points on 19 wins, two ties and three losses.

They led the division’s goal scoring with 136 goals and gave up just 51 to bring their first-time goaltender Brett Froats to the top of the East division and second overall in the Upper Canada Minor Hockey League Novice C division. 

They met and defeated the Kemptville #2s in round one of the playoffs, but were eliminated in round two by the South Grenville #1s.

The Lions have kept busy since their season ended with exhibition games to come up with a win and a tie against the South Grenville Ranger C1s.

In tournament action they won the A championship of the South Stormont Novice C tournament in January.

[…]

In the five years it’s been up and running at Morrisburg Public School, speed/sport stacking has become extremely popular among the students. As a result when the annual tournament at Nationview Public School rolled around two weeks ago, 54 students helped to pack up the cups and off they went. Leading this year’s results for MPS were Bryce Bradford who scored a third place finish overall at the grade 6 level and Gabriel Baker who scored a third place finish overall at the grade 4 level. Stackers from local schools made for a great and very exciting day at Nationview, with generally 100 plus kids stacking at a time. “It’s crazy loud,” says Nancy Beavers who is the coordinator of the MPS Speed Stacking Club.  “It’s the one sport we take as many students that want to go,” says Nancy Beavers. Stackers at MPS work on their stacking skills at recess during the winter months. “Sometimes there are so many, we don’t have enough cups…and we have 400 cups,” says Beavers. Speed stacking involves the up-stacking and down-stacking of specially designed cups in pre-determined sequences. “It’s great for working the left and right sides of the brain and for hand and eye coordination,” explained Beavers. “It also helps with other activities and sports. It’s for the athlete as well as the non-athlete, and it’s great for kids with disabilities.” The basic patterns are 3-3-3, 3-6-3, and the cycle, all including the up-stacking and down-stacking of the cups. “It’s all on speed,” says Beavers. “If they stumble they have to go back and fix it. It’s all timed, it’s all electronic.” Pictured above, with their ribbons won at the Nationview Speed Stacking tournament, front left to right, are Austin Gonclaves, Sam Connors, Tyler Shields, Manraj Cheema and Oakley Beavers. Back, l-r, are Gabriel Baker, Katie Perry, Sheetal Sahota (front), Kristyn Van Hoof, coach Nancy Beavers, Abby Smith and Bryce Bradford. Cameryn Broad was absent.

[…]

A team of Morrisburg Little Rockers acquitted themselves well at the Zone Playdowns recently at Metcalfe. While they didn’t advance to Regionals, they played well against one of the teams that will be going on, from Navan. Their second game, which was closer, was against a foursome from Winchester. Congratulations to Calvin Scott, Ewen Wilson, Carter Whyte and Nolan Belanger. Keep at it, boys. You were the youngest team there, and next year you’ll be one of the more experienced ones.

Last week our day ladies were in Alexandria. Alice and Cheryl Thompson, Betty Locke and Sharon Van Allen played Vankleek Hill in the morning in a very tight game. They lost by one point in the final end before repairing to the lounge for a delicious lunch.

Afterwards they returned to battle against Valleyfield. Again, they came up short by one in the final end. By the way, Valleyfield reported a membership of over 900 people in their very active club. The ladies came home with prizes, some the product of inventive games the ladies seem to organize at these events for the time away from the ice. Our folks enjoyed the day, and the fast ride home after the curling.

The next day, two teams of ladies were in Winchester for their Grandmothers’ Bonspiel. In the early draw, Alice Thompson, Ann Cook, Eleanor Allison and Nelda Hickman faced the eventual champions from the R.A. in the morning and dropped their afternoon match to an RCMP foursome. Grandmothers are very competitive.

The late draw featured Greta McGann, Cheryl Thompson, Joanne Baker and Claire Locke. They first met an RCMP team and dropped that match. After a very nice lunch they went back to the ice and had better luck against a team from the R.A. A delicious banquet followed, and after the usual games and awarding of prizes, the ladies headed back to Morrisburg to recover, after the events of the day.

Robert Houze entered a team in the City of Ottawa Bonspiel last week. He defeated Roger Lyons of RCMP, then a rink led by David Morton. Following these games, he advanced to the Grand Aggregate competition.  Robert’s team defeated Bill Lobban of Manotick at the Russell club and then they played David Tax, Saturday afternoon on Ottawa Curling Club ice. A loss there eliminated the Houze rink from further competition. 

David Tax lost in the next round, and Ian MacAulay of the Ottawa Club and Steve Cook of the RCMP competed for $6,000 and $3,000 respectively in the final at the Ottawa Hunt Club. While there was prize money for each of the events, this was the big one. We believe this is still the largest bonspiel in the world, with teams entered this year from all over North America. Next year, why not enter a team, or at least attend?

Sid Morrell and Jack Barkley are taking teams to Kingston for a men’s bonspiel next Friday. We wish them well, and we’ll see if we can get information for you next time.

Finally, there are still openings for the closing bonspiel at the club for March 31. Two six-end games are planned, with a pot luck luncheon, and a closing dinner at $15 each. Guests are welcome. There’s a cost of $10 for the bonspiel, and $2 for each of the skills competitions. Prizes will be awarded as well. Dinner is at 5:30 p.m., followed by the annual meeting and some championship curling. 

Proceeds from the day are targeted for an enhanced entrance appearance, replacement of a dehumidifier, rubber mats for the west end of the rink, repairing the deck at the south entrance, installing a new carpet, and repairing a leak in the roof. 

Looks like volunteers will be busy this summer with these and other tasks. Hope to see you for the season wind-up!

Good curling to all!

[…]

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls…come one, come all to the Morrisburg and District Figure Skating Club’s annual carnival night on March 31.   

Starting at 7 p.m. all skaters from canskate through starskate will express their love of skating through various programs, as this year’s theme is the Love of Skating.  We have all been working extremely hard this year, and would love to see the community come and watch what we have accomplished. All proceeds go to supporting our club. Remember to arrive early for good seats!

In order to prepare for this showcasing event, line practices started Monday, March 5th.  Skaters can check the website for the practice schedule.  

Canskaters may be working hard for carnival but are reminded not to forget their Year End Party March 24th at the McIntosh Inn from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are available at the skate office. Skaters are now also marking, April 22nd on their calendars for the clubs annual year-end banquet, where skaters receive their awards for all the tests they completed throughout the year.

Our starskaters are still working hard for a test day on Friday, March 9th in Morrisburg, (high and low) and one on Saturday, March 24th in Cornwall (high only).  

There are two competitions left for the Starskaters, the High School competition in Smith Falls, March 27th and in Gloucester April 13-15th. Good luck to all that compete. 

We had two skaters competing in Winchester on March 10th. Congrats to Jessica Groves and Madisyn Hart. And congratulations to everyone who represented us at the Interclub competition, I hope some of you had a chance to go and see it. 

Skating has been cancelled Wednesday, March 14 and Saturday March 17 due to hockey tournaments.

See you all at Carnival!!

Remember Skate Great & Have Fun

Kaitlyn

[…]

Promoter Ron Morin, along with his management team presented the highlights of the Cornwall Motor Speedway 2012 season in a special Press Conference held Tuesday, March 6th  in Cornwall. 

According to Morin, Cornwall Motor Speedway Race Fans can expect that 2012 will be the best year ever at the dirt oval.

The season will officially start on Sunday, May 20th with first of three events of the Canadian Nationals for the 358-Modifieds. 

As previously announced, Cornwall will host for the first time ever the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series; the best in the business on DIRT will be at the track on Sunday July 29th as this earth trembling event will be sponsored by LKQ Auto Recycling in conjunction with Oshweken Speedway.  

Back by popular demand in June, after a two year hiatus, are the heart stopping World of Outlaws Late Models. 

Along with the opening night, the MrDIRTcar 358-Modified series will also make another appearance at the speedway part of the final race of the Canadian Nationals Series on Sunday, September 2nd part of the Jiffy 200, again a 125-lap race including a mandatory on track pit stop at lap 75.  The second race of the Canadian Nationals is scheduled for Sunday August 5th. The first two editions of this series attracted nearly 40 cars per night!

On Canada Day, the Super DIRTcar Big-Block Series will be in town for their annual visit. 

The Sportsman and Pro-Stock classes will also have a busy summer with a doubleheader MrDIRTcar Series event.  Also returning is the Mohawk Race Parts Pro-Stock Series, a six race series held at five dirt tracks.  

Sprint Car fans will be thrilled in July when the Patriot Sprint Tour comes to town and appearing in August are the Eastern Ontario Vintage Stock Car Club. Finally the ever popular Fireball Enduro will close out the season in September. 

After listening to race fans, the start time will be pushed back to 7 p.m. except on the Labour Day Weekend and 2 p.m. for the Fireball Enduro.  

Fans will also be happy to hear that the general admission for a regular show was cut back to $10, and some new featured pricing has been added to attract young people and families. 

[…]

What the Morrisburg and District Figure Skating club lacked in numbers at the annual Winchester Figure Skate Competition on Saturday, March 10, it more than made up for in quality.

The lone skater to represent the Morrisburg Figure Skate Club, Jessica Groves (pictured left) scored a gold medal skate in the CanSkate elements Routine Stage 4 and then backed it up with a silver medal finish in the Canskate Challenge (a new format introduced for CanSkate this year).

With her regular coach away on vacation, Jessica had Jessica Bass, a senior level skater with the Morrisburg Club, take on the coaching responsibility.

Bass, who is considering becoming a coach in the future, did a great job in a very professional and friendly manner.

It was an impressive day with the two Jessicas working well together for a memorable event for both. 

Although Madisyn Hart had originally registered for the competition she had to withdraw due to illness.

Morrisburg skaters are now getting ready for carnival.

[…]