Oct 10, 2013 | Tim Timpano | 1239 views
ORILLIA NOVICE A TERRIERS GO UNDEFEATED TO DEFEND TITLE
The Millwood Logistics Novice A Orillia Terriers entered the Markham Waxers Early Bird Tournament last weekend with a title on the line, and followed in the footsteps of last year’s novice squad by walking away with the hardware.
In the tournament opener against East Gwillimbury, Orillia dominated both ends of the ice and was rewarded with a 5-0 win. Carter Oakley earned the shutout with a solid performance between the pipes and the defensive core of Devante Choptiany, Cooper Long, Chase Beiers and Will Timpano showed some impressive early-season chemistry. Aiden MacDonald led the way offensively with a hat-trick, with single tallies going to Ridley Tucker and Carter Balkwill. Choptiany and Timpano chipped in with assists. Although kept off the score sheet, Colsen Maracle and Tyler Colebrook were in mid-season form forechecking and getting back to help out defensively.
Later that day, Orillia took on the tournament hosts, the Markham Waxers, and proved that the first win was no fluke by easily handing Markham by a score of 6-2. Shots on goal were almost equal, but Orillia made the most of the opportunities they were given. MacDonald potted two goals along with a couple helpers, and Maracle had two goals and an assist. Cameron Carruthers showed some great hustle and was rewarded with a goal and an assist, and Balkwill notched the remaining goal for Orillia. Colebrook had another solid game with two assists, and Tucker, Kaden Noble, Jesse Mole and Chase Beiers rounded out some excellent teamwork by adding single helpers.
Day Two was a different story for the Terriers, but it showed they have the character it takes to come from behind. Oakley was the story of the game in Saturday’s first contest, making key saves at critical times to allow Orillia to recover from a 2-1 deficit and win it with two unanswered goals in the third period for a final score of 3-2. MacDonald again led the way for the Terriers with a goal and an assist. Colebrook and Tucker each had a goal, and assists went to Choptiany, Balkwill, Beiers and Maracle.
In the second Saturday tilt the Terriers outshot their opponents by a ratio of 2:1, but required a goal by Maracle on a great feed from Mole and Tucker in the last minute of the game with an extra attacker on the ice to squeeze out a 3-3 tie. The Terriers showed both patience and perseverance throughout the game, fighting back from 2-0 and 3-1 deficits. Aiden Shilling played a key role helping out the defence throughout the third to keep their opponents off the score sheet in the final frame. MacDonald and Colebrook each had a goal in the second period to get the Terries back in the game and they were helped by assists from Tucker and Balkwill.
Orillia earned home ice advantage in the Championship Final vs. East Gwillimbury on Sunday and they saved their best for last. Great team defence and solid goaltending from Carter Oakley allowed only one goal against in the final game, and the Terriers’ offence took over pouring in six for a final score of 6-1 to take the title. Ridley Tucker had an impressive five point game with two goals and three assists. Cameron Carruthers had a goal and two assists, and Carter Balkwill added one of each. Single markers went to Aiden Shilling and Aiden MacDonald, and Tyler Colebrook added an assist. Aiden MacDonald took the honours as the Most Valuable Player in the championship game.
Head Coach Andy Long praised the team for a great start to the year. “We’re really pleased with the boys’ effort this weekend,” said Long. He added, “it’s a long season ahead of us and there’s plenty of room for improvement, but defending this title meant a lot to the team and it sets the stage well for what we hope will be a successful season.”