The Optimist Club Novices travelled to Ottawa this past
weekend to play in the Ottawa Senators Holiday Classic Novice Tournament in Kanata.
Most of the families arrived Thursday night to be rested for the game at 10:15 am on Friday.
The first game was against the North Dundas Demons Novice B Rep team. Parry Sound was excited to play but the Demons moved the puck very well. With no real standout players the Demons played a very smart, very well structured game and didn't give the Shamrocks much puck possession time. The Shamrocks were held to only 3 shots for the entire game. Shamrock goalie Bram Palmer played a strong game seeing 30 shots from the Demons losing the game 5-0. The player of the game for the Shamrocks was Lewis Hergaarden.
The second game at also on Friday against the Clarington Toros Novice AA team. The Toros came out on the warm up, all very strong skaters but again as with the North Dundas Demons there was no real standout individuals. The Shamrocks played a decent game but not their best only losing 4-1. Goalie Bram Palmer again held the Shamrocks in the game with 28 shots against, the Shamrocks massing 6 shots. Lone goal was scored off a pentaly shot by Avery Rochon. Player of the game was Bram Palmer.
Friday night the Shamrocks all attended the Ottawa Sentator game against the San Jose Sharks. For many this was their first NHL game and there was some very excited kids to watch an exciting game which ended in a 4-1 win by the Senators.
The third game the Shamrocks met up against a very strong Major Novice Rep team, the Stittsville Rams. The Shamrocks did not really have a chance to win however they played a very good defensive game, skating with the Rams with tons of effort and positional play limiting the Rams opportunities. The Shamrocks fell to the Rams 6-0 but it would have been a lot worse with out the strong effort by the Shamrocks and another strong game by goalie Bram Palmer. Player of the game was Avery Rochon.
With a 0-3 record the Shamrocks settled in back at the hotel for the night for a pot luck dinner, playing mini sticks in the hall and lots of time at the pool. A very fun weekend!!
The Optimist Club Novices would like to thank the Parry Sound Branch Scotia Bank for sponsoring the Novices this season and for the goody bags. Thank You!!
The next game the Novices play the Muskoka Rock in Port Carling Tuesday December 22 at 6 pm
