(by team reporter Albert Ross)
The EJ's Bantam Huskies AEs are proud OMHA Finalists! Despite succumbing to a strong Barrie team in a close, hard fought series the boys played hard and did a fine job representing New Hamburg Hockey both on and off the ice. Although the banner flying in the WRC will not be the one they had hoped, the OMHA Finalist banner will nonetheless be something this team will now always be remembered for.
For the details of the last 2 games of the series read on....
The EJ’s Bantam Husky AEs needed a win in Barrie on March 14 to even up the OMHA final series with their formidable opponent. With the series at 3 points to one, the Dogs hit the ice running with their trademark fore-checking plays. The Colts stymied nice chances by Nic Egli and Danny Farrish matched only by some physical defense by Alex Kyle and especially Zack Robinson between the pipes. It was fast-paced end-to-end action that ended in a pair of goals. The Colts found the mark first but Egli’s bullet from the slot in the dying seconds re-established the deadlock.
The Huskies struggled to gain traction in the second in spite of two power-play efforts. The Colts rebounded upon returning to full strength and regained the lead as they forced the defensive zone. Again the Dogs responded when Owen Ross teed up at the point with Josh Potts perfect redirect insuring the equalizer would count. Jacob Ertel nearly bagged the go-ahead in another charge to the net but it was the hosts who tallied next on a stuff-in as the period wound down.
The Colts came on strong in the third leaving the Huskies to scramble for pucks in their own end while the clock bled away. Dale Jurica’s rush to the net was followed by a time-out as Coach Gerber settled his troops and pulled Robinson for one last throw of the dice. The gamble failed and the Huskies had to accept the 3 – 2 loss and the knowledge that losing would not be an option on home ice on March 17.
Knowing that they needed to win, the Huskies came out strong in the first period with Sammy Miller leading the offensive charge to the visitor’s net. The reeling Colts took two penalties that the Huskies failed to leverage and had to redouble their efforts after a scoreless first frame. The tradeoff in penalties in the second initially favoured the Dogs when Egli sniped an upstairs power-play shot getting help from Jackson Gerber. But the Colts never backed down and answered before the period ended on a deflection. Things did not get better for the hosts in the third. A point shot early in the frame put the guests up by one. The Huskies were clearly struggling in their own end and the Colts made it a two-goal game on a wrap-around. Goalie Carter Schwartzentruber was busy in net stopping repeated Colt efforts until his team rebounded in the final third of the frame. Efforts by Potts and Jurica failed to move the needle and the Dogs were forced to accept the 3 – 1 loss at the buzzer.
It was a valiant effort but the Huskies can rightly be proud of their OMHA Finalist title that far exceeded the most optimistic expectations of this team. The coaching staff of Jeff Gerber, Dave Miller, Dan O’Connell, Laura Latyn and Zack Zehr instilled a positive work ethic and belief in themselves that held firm all season. The Huskies would like to thank their sponsors: EJ’s at Baden, Josslin Insurance, Pfennings Organic Farms, TLC Pet Food and Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show for their support all year. They would especially like to thank their family, friends and fans that have made this moment so special. Your New Hamburg Huskies OMHA Finalists are: Sammy Miller, Daniel O’Connell, Jackson Gerber, Emmet Latyn, Jacob Ertel, Josh Potts, Nic Egli, Mason Wagner, Tyson Wagler, Dale Jurica, Wyatt Rempel, Alex Kyle, Danny Farrish, Owen Ross, Matt Sommerville, Zack Robinson and Carter Schwartzentruber. Congratulations on a season well played!