Feb 12, 2012 | Brian McArter | 1227 views
Peewee AE's Eliminated from OMHA Playdowns
The Peewee AE's battled hard with some close games against Lambton Shores but came up short in the end.
With an opening game loss to the Lambton Shores Predators behind them, the Blyth Brussels Peewee AE's travelled to Thedford for game 2. The first period would remain scoreless and the home team Predators would score twice in the 2nd and take the lead into the 3rd. Halfway through the final period Avery McArter would bang home the loose puck to bring the Bull Dogs within one, assists going to linemates Craig Raynard and Nolan Johnston. With 3:30 left, Mcarter would notch his 2nd on a beauty setup by Raynard and Johnston, to tie the game. With both goalies denying all oncomers, the remainder of regulation and overtime would solve nothing and the series would be then decided by points.
With the AE's losing the flip, game #3 was back in Thedford. The Predators would jump out to an early two goal lead and it would stay that way with Jeremy Wilts standing on his head in net for the Bull Dogs until four minutes into the 3rd, when McArter would score assisted by Johnston to pull within one. Lambton Shores would add one more and shut the AE's down for a 3-1 final. Quickly putting the loss behind them, the majority of the team, coaches, and parents made the short trip in the nasty weather over to Forest to cheer the Bantam Reps onto victory at the International Silverstick. Some of the Bantams were quoted as saying "it was like having home ice advantage with the crowd there" and sure appreciated the AE's support.
Game #4 was back in Brussels with the boys backs against the wall, they had to win to stay alive. It would be a goaltenders duel with Wilts and his opponent making all the right moves in this one. The Predators would manage to sneak one past the home tender and hold onto the 1-0 win to take the series despite the onslaught they received in the 3rd from the hungry Bull Dogs.
The AE's continue to play in the WOAA Group Round Robin for the Neilson Trophy, the boys took to the ice in Blyth to play the Milverton Drives on Jan 25th and skated away with a 7-4 victory in a penalty filled affair. Goal scorers were Raynard (2), McArter (2), Dylan McNeil, Big Benny Newell, and Damon Allen. Assists went to Carson Richmond, Raynard, McArter, and McNeil.
Game #2 of the round robin took place in Brussels on Friday night against the Drayton Defender Peewee reps. A fast pace against a good passing team saw the AE's come up short 4-2 in the end. Goal scorers were Raynard assisted by McArter, and Johnston assisted Josh Gibbons.
Game #3 took place Saturday evening in Listowel against the Cyclones. Carson Richmond would open the scoring in the first assisted by Allen. Captain Ben Newell would notch the teams second on a rush down the ice unassisted for the 2-0 lead going into the 3rd. McArter would steal the puck and go in alone to put the AE's up 3-0. Jeremy Wilts would record the well deserved shut out as he held off the Listowel advances in the remainder of the game. Special mention goes to Brett (Harv) Stevenson making his debut on forward, a great job by a career defenceman.