News Bulletin

March 24, 2009

Predators’ Midgets Win OMHA Bronze!

The North Central Major Midgets captured the bronze medal in the OMHA Championships in Peterborough last weekend.

In their first game the Preds faced the York Simcoe Express, which had finished in first place in the regular season of the ETA West. In an exciting game the Express had to come from behind to edge the Preds by a 4-3 score. Goal production came from Patrick Thornton, unassisted, Graham Yeo from Aaron Garner and Nick Barnett, and Andrew Parks from Yeo and Garner.

In game two on Friday the Preds took on the host Peterborough team. The Jr. Petes had finished just one point shy of first place in the regular season of the ETA East. Knowing a second loss might lose the Preds any chance at the Gold Medal round, the boys came out with a strong effort. This time, goal production came from Zach Robinson from Eric Muntz and Josh Timpano. A second tally in the first period came from the stick of Will Laking with assists to Matt Paul and A.J. Pieprzak. The battle went up and down the ice, but both goaltenders were up to the task and no further goals were scored. The Preds skated off with a 2-0 shutout to get ready for Saturday.

Saturday’s first game saw the Preds draw Grey-Bruce as their first opponent. The Highlanders were SCTA Champions. In yet another tight game with strong goaltending with both teams, the scoring was not opened until almost two minutes into the third period when Robinson scored for the Preds, with assists going to Yeo and Brad Payne. Just two minutes later, Parks found the back of the net on a setup by Garner. The game again tightened up with the Preds skating off with a 2-0 victory.

The second game Saturday, the final game of the round robin, saw the Preds draw Oakville. The Rangers were a highly touted team and the Preds had the Gold Medal game hanging in the balance. This was yet another game that went up and down the ice with the goaltenders being the main focus. Scoring for the Preds were Laking from Payne, Yeo from Garner and Parks, and Garner from Parks and Yeo. Oakville, however, matched the Preds goal-for-goal, with the game ending up in a 3-3 tie.

After the final round robin game the Preds and Oakville were tied at 7 points each with identical 3 wins, 1 loss and 1 tie. The first tie breaker (head to head) left the two still tied. The second tie breaker of most wins again did not resolve the tie, as each had 3. The third tie breaker determined the winner (goal average formula) with the Preds falling short by just 0.0022 percent!

This left the Preds in the Bronze Medal game against the Peterborough Jr. Petes, whom the Preds had defeated 2-0 on Friday. The Preds were disappointed that they were not in the Gold Medal game, but had to take a deep breath and refocus on this game. Things did not look good when the Jr. Petes opened the scoring in the first period. However, fighting back as usual, the Preds tied the game 1-1 when Garner scored from Yeo and Thornton in the second period. In an extremely close game the Preds came out fighting in the third period with Josh Timpano scoring from Robinson and Kole Clements. The final goal of the game was scored by Barnett with assists to Payne and Laking. Final count: Preds 3 - Jr. Petes 1. Bronze Medal!

As the writer (Bob Thom) of this story, travelling with the team through all of the post season as a member of the NCOHA Board of Directors, I can say this Midget team was truly an amazing story. Barely able to put a team together in the fall and still looking for one or more players most of the year, there appeared to be little hope that this team could — or would — do well. The team finished the season with a 15-13-5 record, some 22 points behind York Simcoe and Markham who were tied in points for first place. Facing Markham in the first round of the OMHA playoffs, the Preds surprised everyone by defeating the Waxers in three straight games by scores of 4-3, 3-2 and 3-2! The Preds then advanced to the second round and faced Clarington, which had defeated the first place team in the ETA East. Again the Preds rose to the occasion winning the series in 5 games with scores of 1-3, 5-0, 1-1, 6-3, and 8-0. This propelled them into the OMHA Championship: the rest is history.

The entire family of Predators should be proud of these young men and what they achieved. With some excellent coaching, and believing in their program, it shows all of us what can be accomplished! This was totally a team effort from goal out. This was a never-say-die team!

They say you don’t remember who came in second or third in a Championship. Another myth put to rest. I will never forget this team and their accomplishments!

Well done boys!