This past weekend the Optimist Club Novices and Rotary Club Atoms
hosted 17 teams from all over Ontario for the Annual Bobby Orr Hall of
Fame Classic Novice/Atom tournament at the Bobby Orr Community Centre
and the Humphrey Community Centre.
The Optimist Club Novices started off the weekend with a big 8-0 win over the North Bay Trappers in their first game of the Novice A Division on Friday night at the BOCC. Points were registered by Lewis Hergaarden (4G), Riley Blower (2G, 1A), Michael Murphy (1G, 1A), Nathan Heimes (1G), Lucas Henry (2A), Rowan Buckland (2A) and TJ Hergaarden (1A). In net was Goaltender Orion Rolph who was credited with the shut out.
This first win helped the team build confidence going into their game on Saturday afternoon against the Niagara On the Lake Wolves who they would go on to defeat 3-2 with points going to Lewis Hergaarden (2G, 1A), Ben Kearns (1G), Mitchell Parrick (1A), Finn Gilbert (1A) and Luke Nelson (1A). This was a close game but the Shamrocks kept the heat on and came out victorious.
On Sunday morning, with two wins under their belt, the Shamrock Novices faced the East Nipissing Vipers in a crossover game with the Novice B division. The Vipers battled hard looking for their first win in the tournament but their efforts were matched by the Shamrocks strong offense who took the game with a 4-3 win. Points were awarded to Lewis Hergaarden (4G), Finn Gilbert (1A), Mitchell Parrick (1A), Rowan Buckland (1A), Ben Kearns (1A), Michael Murphy (1A) and Trent Hodgson (1A).
Later that day the team would face their toughest challenge yet in the semi-final game against the Loyalist Jets. Both teams were going into this game undefeated in the round-robin play and with a quick goal by Lewis Hergaarden thirteen seconds into the first period (assisted by Ben Kearns and Rowan Buckland) things looked positive but the Jets answered with two goals in the first period and another goal in the second period. A rough third period would follow and despite a great effort by the Shamrocks team they would be defeated 3-1. The Loyalist Jets would move on to the finals and ultimately win the tournament, defeating the Listowel Cyclones 6-3.
The Optimist Club Novice team would like to thank all the volunteers and fans who came out to help and cheer them on and make this tournament a success!
This Saturday, the Optimist Novices will travel to Penetang to take on the Flames but will be back at home at the BOCC on Sunday, October 23rd to challenge the Elmvale Coyotes at 1pm. Come and cheer them on!
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