Team News

Dr Ed Smolen’s Family Dentistry Peewee A’s travelled to Whitby (The Iroquoise Centre) for their third game against the Durham Crusaders at 8pm Saturday Feb 4/12. I have to say that is one impressive building, 6 ice pads and 2 pools. Jake Bull assisted by Mark Saville and Matt Wilbee started the scoring in the first period only to have the Crusaders tie it up. This was big ice the boys were skating on but it did not seem to matter. The Storm scored two more goals in the second period, Matt Wilbee unassisted then Kyle Cooper assisted by Andrew Hall and Jake Bull. The Crusaders were determined to stay in the series but the Storm was more determined to end it. The Crusaders managed two more goals but the Storm boys got three more in the third, Chris Thompson assisted by Matt Wilbee,Kyle Cooper from Josh Boice and Andrew Hall, then Greg Crofts assisted by Devyn Prentice and Mark Saville to make it a 6-3 win for the Storm and a 3 game sweep to take this series. Parker Smolen was in net for most of the game and Ryan Hannah for part of the third. We are now waiting to see who we will meet for the semi finals in the OMHA playdowns.

The Highland Storm Peewee AE playoffs began in Minden on Sunday, January 29 against Oshawa. The Storm team came out to win and dominated most of the game. The Oshawa goalie however, stood solid in net and allowed the Storm a 1-0 win. The first and second period were filled with chances by the Storm team but despite the number of shots on net, it remained scoreless. The game was fun and full of penalties, scoring opportunities and a penalty shot! It was early in the 3^rd period when things heated up and the play finally resulted in a goal by the Storm. Passes came from Aidan Garbutt and Alex Petrie, while scrambling in front of the net, the puck found the stick of Jon Morrison and he put it in.A well-deserved shutout goes to Josh Bellefleur, and an awesome team effort that grabbed the first win of the playoffs.

The Highland Storm Peewee AE teams is proudly sponsored by Tom Prentice Trucking

Dr Ed Smolen family dentistry sponsored Peewee A’s started their OMHA playdowns on Saturday Jan 28/12. The first game, in the best 3 out of 5, was in Minden at 5pm against the CYO (Church Youth Organization) Durham Crusaders from Oshawa (Victoria Durham League). It was with a little apprehension, because it had been several weeks since the Storms last game, and Oshawa is a much bigger centre.(not to mention the Crusaders one goalie who at 13 is 6″2″). After the first period started it was soon to be seen that the Storm was outskating, outshooting and outplaying their opponent. The first goal came with 5 minutes and change left in the first by Chase Burden assisted by Max MacNaull.The second period was 1/3 over when Josh Boice scored assisted by Kyle Cooper. The third period saw some penalties to the Storm allowing the Crusaders an almost 2 minute powerplay of 3 on 5, but the Storm boys put forth a great effort and maintained their 2 goal lead. Chris Thompson assisted by Josh Boice scored the third goal and to finished it off the fourth goal was by Greg Crofts, assisted by Devyn Prentice and Mark Saville. A 4-0 win for the Storm and a shut out for goalie Parker Smolen.

On Sunday Jan 29th the Storm players and families travelled to Oshawa to play a 1215 game at Durham University Campus pad #2. The weather was a bit dicey when we started out but cleared as we approached Norland and remained that way for the rest of the drive. The Crusaders had  a difficult drive home the night before, but everyone arrived safe. Now being on home ice there was concern the Crusaders would step up their game and they seemed to try harder for the first 2 periods but by the third the game was really much the same as the day before. Matt Wilbee started the scoring off in the first period assisted by Jake Bull. Matt continued the scoring with a second short handed goal unassisted in the second period and then a third for a hat trick assisted by birthday boy, Ethan Keefer at the top of the third. The Crusaders change goalies in the third as did we, giving Ryan Hannah some time on ice. Andrew Hall added a fourth goal assited by Mark Saville. Then Max MacNaull a fifth unassisted,followed by Andrew Hall assisted by Matt Wilbee for number six. And to end the third period, Devyn Prentice scored the last goal assisted by Mark Saville and Greg Crofts to bring home the win of 7-1 for the Storm. Our next game is Sat Feb 4 at 8pm in Whitby at the Iroquois Centre Pad #3 and then the return game if necessary Sun Feb 5 in Minden at 5pm.

It was a close and exciting game when the Highland Storm Peewee AE team met with the Huntsville Otters last week. The teams were well-matched which made for some awesome hockey. It was all heart that brought the Storm team the 3-2 victory. Goals were scored by Ryan Prentice, Jon Morrison and Mitch Billings.  The assists came from Jon Morrison, Alec Stoughton, Mitch Billings and Trevor Turner. That game ended the regular season. The Storm Peewee AE team sits with 12 wins, 4 losses and 2 ties. Well done boys!!

Join us on Sunday, January 29th at 3:30 pm in Minden as the Highland Storm Peewee AE team takes on Oshawa in the first round of play-offs.

The Highland Storm Peewee AE team is proudly sponsored by Tom Prentice Trucking

Well, with the end of the regular season, Dr Ed Smolen Family Dentistry sponsored Peewee A’s travelled Sat Jan 7 to Peterborough for an exhibition game which they won 11-1.  Then it was the turn around visit to Parry Sound Sun Jan 8 for our final 2 games with the Shamrocks to mark the end of the regular season. The first game at 11am saw the Storm a little “sleepy?”, possibly from the early morning travel, and a loss  of 6-0 would hopefully wake them up for the second game at 3pm. The Storm boys did not disappoint with the second game. It was a fast game with a little jostling but the Storm came out on top at the end.The points started off in the first period with a goal by Kyle Cooper assisted by Greg Crofts, then Parry Sound answered with 2 of their own. In the second period the scoring was continued by Max MacNaull assisted by Greg Crofts and Jake Bull only to have Parry Sound make it 3-2. But that did not stop our boys, Max MacNaull scored again making it 3-3. A later play saw the puck shot down to the Shamrocks end, their goalie came out of crease to play the puck, 3 Shamrock players also headed back to clear the puck only to have Greg Crofts hot on their heels (skates), they did not manage to clear the puck and the goalie missed too and was unable to make it back to his crease, but Greg did not miss and scored another goal for the team. Nearing the end of the third period the Shamrocks pulled their goalie for an extra man, but the Storm had gather momentem and Matt Wilbee scored an empty netter. That was not the end, with their goalie back in net, a sudden flurry of activity in front of their net and the Highland Storm had scored again, a goal by Greg Crofts. Final score was 6-3 for the Storm. A decent end to the regular season. We will now wait and see who and when we play in the OMHA playdowns and also the Muskoka-Parry Sound Play Offs, which usually start mid January. 

Dr Ed Smolen, Family Dentistry sponsored Peewee A’s took part in the 3 day PMHA Christmas Classic Peewee Division Tournament December 28, 29 and 30th. I was unable to attend but our boys did great. There were 2 games each day starting with the first at 3pm, then the second was usually at 6 or 7pm both Wednesday and Thursday. The first game was against Prince Edward County Kings who we have met at other tournaments, the Storm boys pulled out a win of 4-3, then they moved onto the second game of the day at 7pm against the Newcastle Stars. The team once again pulled out with a win of 2-1. On Thursday the first game at 3pm was against the Manvers Mustangs, the Storm must have tired of winning by one goal and won 4-0 giving goalie Parker Smolen the first of 3 shutouts in the tournament. The following game at 6pm still had the boys in a winning mood, and they took the game 8-0 against the Coldwater Wildcats. This fourth win move the boys into the semi finals in top place, therefore parents and players either had to stay in Peterborough another night or do the drive again for a third day. The Highland Storm Peewee A’s made it worth it, by winning the semi finals against Brighton 4-0 moving them on to the championship game at 7pm vs South Grenville. Receiving some of the play by play via texting we were able at home to keep track of some of the game. It took a while for the scoring to start and it was first done by South Grenville. Then after a couple of penalties to the Storm and managing to hold off South Grenville at one point having 5 players against our 3 the Storm decided enough was enough and went for the win. I believe the Storm tied it up 1-1 then pulled ahead 2-1 and then Greg Crofts got a goal before the end of the second period. The third period saw South Grenville score to make 2-3, but nearing the end of the third Jake Bishop scored and the final and winning score of 4-2, making the boys Champions of the tournament and playing a total of 6 games in 3 days. What a way to end the year!! Congratulations! I apologize for not being able to acknowledge everyone’s goals and assists, but it was obviously a great team effort and everyone is responsible for the outcome. It has come to my attention after the posting of this “article” that Matt Wilbee scored his 50th goal of the season during the tournament.

     The Highland Storm Peewee A’s played their final regular season game of 2011 on Thursday December 15 in Minden at 630pm against the Huntsville Otters. The Storm boys had not won game against this team all season so this would be their last chance to try for it. The boys came out with determination and aiming for a win. It was a good fast game with few penalties.The Storm scored two goals in the first period compared to the Otters one. Our goals were by Ethan Keefer assisted by Matt Wilbee and Devyn Prentice, the second goal by Chase Burden assisted by Andrew Hall. The second period proved to be similiar to the first, with the Storm boys  pulling further ahead by getting 3 more goals, Chase Burden assisted by Kyle Cooper, Kyle Cooper assisted by Matt Wilbee and Max MacNaull, and a short handed goal by Greg Crofts, unassisted. Still the Storm fans were not ready to acknowledge a win with the third period still needing to be played but the boys did not disappoint us. With a slow start to the third and the Otters getting another goal, the Storm decided to answer with another of their own to bring home the win of 6-3. The last goal was scored by Jake Bull assisted by Josh Boice and Matt Wilbee. The Peewee A’s are sponsord by Dr Ed Smolen Family Dentistry.  We do not have a regular season game until Jan 8 in Parry Sound but we are to play in a Peterborough Tournament Dec 28,29 and 30th. Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Years!

The Highland Storm Peewee AE team hosted the Gravenhurst Flames on Wednesday, December 7^th in Haliburton.  Although it was a midweek game, the Storm team was full of energy, dominating the play from the start. The first goal came minutes into the second period by Ben Schmidt, assisted by Alex Petrie and Ryan Prentice. The Storm picked up the momentum during a power play and scored again. The pass came from Mitch Billings to Matt Manning who found the opening for the second goal. The Storm team was in full control of the game and continued to pick up the pace. The next goal came from the point as Aidan Garbutt’s shot was deflected into the net by Trevor Turner. The third period started with a 3-0 lead for the Storm team, however minutes into it, the Flames fought hard and managed to put one in. The fast paced hockey continued. With just less than 2 minutes remaining in the game, Jon Morrison received a pass, smoothly beat the defense and the goalie for the fourth goal, assisted by Jesse Sisson and Ben Schmidt. The Storm walked away with an easy 4-1 win.

Next weekend, they are on the road to Huntsville and Parry Sound. Good luck boys!

The 9^th Annual Silver Stick weekend of hockey began in Minden on Saturday, December 3^rd, when the Highland Storm Peewee AE team met the Napanee Stars. The early start didn’t affect the boys as both teams came out full of energy and excitement. The closely matched teams showed us some awesome hockey as it remained scoreless at the end of the first period. Both teams tightened up in the second period looking for the first goal. The Storm turned it up a notch with less than a minute left in the second period when Aidan Garbutt made an awesome shot from the point, Jesse Sisson picked up the rebound and tipped it to Jon Morrison, who buried it into the net for the first well-deserved goal.  The third period continue tight as both teams were aggressive on the puck.  With less than 5 minutes remaining in the third period, Jacob Haedicke moved in from the point and found the empty top corner for the second goal, assisted by Aidan Garbutt and Alex Petrie. The excitement built in last 3 minutes of the game when the Storm team played short-handed 3 players to 5. It was a tremendous effort by all players to hold off the Stars especially Ben Schmidt, who at times single handedly kept the Stars at the blue line. Josh Bellefleur played an outstanding game and earned a much deserved shut-out as the game ended 2-0 for the Highland Storm Peewee AE team.  

After that incredible start, the adrenaline grew for the Storm team and they came out flying against the Campbellford Colts.  The first goal came 3 minutes into the first period by Trevor Turner, assisted by Matt Manning.  The Storm team started the second period short handed but that didn’t slow the energy, within 20 seconds Ben Schmidt found the opening for a short-handed goal, assisted by Alex Petrie. The Storm team was full of energy as they out-played the Colts throughout the game. Leading by 2 at the start of the third period, the Storm team was once more short-handed, but the game continued in their favour when Alex Petrie’s great effort scored the third goal, assisted by Ben Schmidt. The Colts pulled their goalie during the last few minutes of play that resulted in an empty net goal by Trevor Turner.  The Storm team’s confidence was high playing the Colts as they easily took the game 4-0, another great game and shut-out for Josh Bellefleur.

The Highland Storm Peewee AE team met their match in this tournament against the Ennismore Eagles. It was a fast paced, energy pumped game from the start. Both teams worked hard but neither dominated. Quick line changes, good passes and the passion to win made it a thrilling and entertaining game to watch. Still scoreless after the second period, the adrenaline kept building. The Storm continued to push and earned the first goal, that was unassisted by Mitch Billings. Seconds later the Eagles turned it up and put one in to tie the game. It was a tough 4 minutes to end the 3^rd period as the Storm was once more short handed. They played well staying together to maintain the pace and end the game with a 1-1 tie. It was a great job by all the boys, especially Josh Bellefleur who stood consistently strong in net.

The semi-finals began on Sunday, December 4th in Haliburton.  The Storm team was once more playing the Napanee Stars. Although the boys may have been a bit over confident from previously shutting out the Stars, it proved to be an extremely intense and tough game. Still scoreless at the end of the first, both teams increased the intensity.  It was half way through the second period when the Stars found the opening and got on the score board. Minutes later the Storm got the jump they needed and tied it up, 1-1. The pass came from Matt Manning to the point and Aidan Garbutt’s shot beat the goalie. It was a very tight game that kept the crowd at the edge of their seat, and that’s where they stayed for the rest of the second period. The Storm team started off the third period in the penalty box, killed that penalty well but took another immediately after. With a 15-minute period and being a 3^rd period team, the Storm just needed to stay out of the penalty box. The scoreless third period resulted in both teams being overly aggressive and both paid the price in the box. Still tied at the end of the 3^rd period, the game went into overtime.  It started off with 2 on 2 as both teams had a man in the box.  The Storm players worked very hard keeping it in their opponents end, still no score, now 3 on 3. With our stomachs rising into our throats, you could feel the nervous tension growing on the ice.  It was down to 1 on 1. Mitch Billings stood for the Storm, won the faceoff and took off toward the net, leaving the only man back, he moved in and found the top corner for the 2-1 win. The Storm Peewee AE team moved onto the finals.    

The 9^th Annual Silver Stick finals presented the Highland Storm Peewee AE team against the Ennismore Eagles. It was a fast paced start to the first period with the Storm team getting on the score board with a goal from Mitch Billings, assisted by Matt Manning. The well-matched teams entertained the crowd with some awesome hockey. The Storm team played extremely well, connecting on their passes and onto the net with hard accurate shots. The deep desire to win built the momentum and emotion in each player. The fine line between being aggressive on the puck and on the player was blurred as the Storm team took more penalties than necessary to take control of the game. Still ahead by a goal, the third period started with the Storm team short handed. The thoughts “you can’t win a game while killing off a penalty” echoed through the Haliburton arena. The Eagles worked hard to earn their first goal to tie the game. With 5 minutes left in the third period, the Eagles stepped it up and found the scoring opportunity to take the lead, now 2-1. It was a devastating moment for the Storm, one they could not recover from. Although the teams were well-matched the Storm team struggled during the last minutes of the game in hopes of grasping a tie. It was a sad loss, but an incredible effort from the entire team. Great job boys, we are very proud of you. It was a pleasure to watch and cheer for the Highland Storm Peewee AE team. Thanks to the players and to the coaching staff for an awesome and entertaining weekend of great hockey. Congratulations on making it into the finals of the Silver Stick tournament.  A big thanks to all the parents that contributed their time and support for a successful weekend and finally a huge thanks to the manager, Dana Manning for coordinating and organizing the weekend and the season.