Optimist Club Novices take on Highland Storm in Thanksgiving weekend double-header
The
Optimist Novice Shamrocks travelled to Haliburton over the Thanksgiving weekend
to face off in a double header against the Highland Storm. This was the first
time these two teams have faced each other this season.
In game one, the Storm found the net first and scored midway through the first period. Lewis Hergaarden answered their call less than a minute later with an unassisted goal for the Shamrocks to tie the game 1-1 going into the second period. The Storm scored two minutes into the second, and a few minutes later with a Shamrock in the penalty box, the Storm capitalized on the opportunity and scored again. With a minute remaining in the 2nd period Lewis Hergaarden scored his second of the game, the Shamrocks now trailing by only one goal. The Storm scored early in the third period, but the Shamrocks continued to play hard getting lots of shots on net and Lewis Hergaarden was able to complete the hat trick. With only a minute left in the game, the Shamrocks took a tripping penalty, thereby giving the Storm the one man advantage, which in turn helped Storm player Brechin Johnston take home a hat trick for his team. Despite a strong effort by the Novices they fell to the Storm 5-3.
After a little lunch and team bonding the Shamrocks met up with the Storm for a re-match in the second game of the double header. This time the Shamrocks had something to prove and came out swinging, outshooting the Storm in an exciting game for fans. The first period remained scoreless with Shamrock goaltender Orion Rolph shutting down the Storm in front of the net. In the second period, the Storm were able to find the back of the net to lead 1-0 going into the third. Early in the third period the Storm scored again but were met with a tough Shamrock bench with several players stepping up and registering some great shots, including a goal by Michael Murphy, his first of the regular season, assisted by Gavin Priaulx and Nathan Heimes. Murphy followed up with another goal, this one unassisted tying the game 2-2. With a minute and a half left on the clock and a tripping penalty called on Parry Sound, Jace Mills of the Highland Storm scored his third goal of the game to lead his team to victory. The final score was 3-2.
This coming weekend, teams from all over Ontario will be in Parry Sound for the Annual Bobby Orr Hall Of Fame Novice Atom Tournament. You can catch the Optimist Club Novices in action on Friday at the BOCC at 5pm as they take on the North Bay Trappers!