The Jim Wilson’s minor peewee Orillia Terriers took on the host Nickel City Canucks in Game 1 on Friday morning (Dec. 1) to open their tournament. Orillia found themselves up 2-1 by the midpoint in the game; they got goals from Devin Fisher and Connor Varley. Orillia’s offence started to kick in, as they exploded for seven straight goals and added one more in the final period of play. Orillia ended up with a 10-2 victory in the game. Orillia’s offence was led by Cohen Robitaille (three goals, two assists), Varley (two goals, one assist), Fisher (two goals, one assist), Hunter McLaughlin (one goal, one assist), Eric Taher (two assists), Cameron Weishar (two assists), Marcus Petroff (two assists), Tommy Goard (one goal), Lukas Hagman (one goal) and single assists from Max McKay, Ethan Telford and Nathan Healy. Connor Sampson was solid in net for the Terriers.
In Game 2, Orillia battled division rivals the Barrie Colts. Barrie started the game with immense pressure that led to a three-goal lead by the end of the first period. Orillia began to push back when Bennett Mackey scored on a solo effort goal. Then, as the third period was getting close to finishing, Hagman hit a streaking McLaughlin, whose breakaway goal drew the Terriers within a goal. Orillia was unable to find the equalizer and ended up losing the contest 3-2. Ryker Jacobs was in net for the loss.
Orillia played the Copper Cliff Redmen on Saturday morning (Dec. 2). Orillia went on a scoring spree, scoring 13 unanswered goals and winning the contest 13-0. Orillia’s offence was led by Robitaille (one goal, four assists), Goard (two goals, two assists), Varley (three goals), McLaughlin (one goal, two assists), Healy (two goals), Petroff (two assists) and Mackey (two assists), with single markers by Weishar and Fisher, while Jordan Blunt and Hagman added assists. Sampson earned the shutout in the victory.
Orillia then faced off against the other home team, the Nickel City Jets, on Saturday afternoon. The win would secure a spot in the semifinals on Sunday morning. Orillia started scoring early in the game and continued on for 11 straight goals. Orillia’s offence was sparked by Fisher (three goals, two assists), McLaughlin (one goal, three assists), Petroff (three goals), Varley (three assists), Robitaille (one goal, two assists), Telford (one goal, one assist), Healy (one goal, one assist) and McKay (one goal), with single assists from Chase Beiers, Hagman and Goard. Jacobs earned the win and registered the shutout.
Orillia again skated against the Canucks in the semifinal on Sunday morning (Dec. 3) to earn a berth in the finals. Both teams were energized and the Canucks were determined to make the Terriers earn their victory. Orillia got two goals from Goard to take a two-goal lead after the first. The Canucks scored on a power play early in the second period to cut the lead to one. Orillia buckled down and pumped six more goals into the Canucks net, despite their goalie making several big stops. Orillia won the game 8-1. Orillia had points from Goard (three goals, one assist), Robitaille (two goals, one assist), Mackey (two goals), Varley (one goal, one assist), Healy (one goal, one assist), Petroff (two assists), Taher (two assists), Fisher (one assist) and McLaughlin (one assist), while Sampson backstopped the victory.
In the tournament final, Orillia looked to avenge their loss against the Barrie Colts. Orillia got into early penalty trouble that allowed Barrie to score three power-play goals and add a fourth goal before the end of the second period. Despite being down by four goals, the Terriers continued to fight to the end. Goard and Fisher, who was assisted by Goard, put two goals past the Colt goalie, but it wasn’t enough to draw even. Orillia dropped the game 4-2. Jacobs was in net for the loss. Thanks for all the parents support and fan attendance in Sudbury.
Online with Orillia Today on Dec 8, 2017.