NEWS RELEASE
SCOTIABANK MINOR MIDGET TERRIERS
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The Scotiabank minor midget Terriers went undefeated in Ottawa recently to win the prestigious crown at the Capital Blues Hockey Fest.
the first game, the Terriers defeated the Castor River Canucks 3-1 in a sloppy, penalty-filled game. Sam Trumble, Jace Gilbert and Brock Jeffels scored one goal each in the win. Sam Laughlin and Trumble each added assists while Camden McIvor was steller in net.
The win proved costly as the Terriers' outstanding defenceman, Owen Palaro, was sidelined with a separated shoulder.
The second game was another physical test for the Terriers, but in the end the Terriers won 4-3 over the host team, the Glouchester Orleans Blues. Trumble (2), Gilbert and Jeffels again were the goal scorers for the Orillia team. Andrew Thorn, Jonah Teahen, Laughlin (2), Jeffels, Gilbert and Trumble added helpers on the offence.
Game 3 was the final game of the round robin format. Orillia could secure first place in their pool with a win over the Cumberland Jr Grads. Orillia opened up an early lead and cruised to a 5-2 win. Colby Small was good when tested and the Terriers and Trumble led the way with a hat trick. Owen Banks and Jeffels also scored for Orillia. Jhett Winkel (2), Carter Bernard, Ty Snellman, Connor Flannery, Thorn and Jeffels added assists in the game.
Orillia finished the round robin undefeated with three wins and the No. 1 seed in the playoff round.
The Terriers opened the playoff round with a 5-2 win over the Letrim Hawks. Sam Trumble recorded his second straight hat trick, while J. Winkel, Banks, Laughlin and Jeffels added solo goals. Whyatt Winkel played well, earning three assists while Gilbert, Trumble, Teahen, and Thorn each earned one assist in the win.
Orillia drew a rematch with the Glouchester Blues in the semi-finals. The Blues came out with lots of energy in their home rink, jumping out to a 3-0 lead. Orillia began to fight back in the second period with two consecutive goals from pointman J. Winkel. Orillia buzzed around the Glouchester zone and finally were rewarded with a re-directed shot by Laughlin to even the game 3-3 and force overtime.
Overtime was dominated by Orillia but Small did make some key saves in net, forcing a shootout. Orillia won 2-0 in the shootout as Small stoned the Blues while Trumble and Jeffels each scored on their attempts.
The finals were now set up where Orillia faced the Castor River Canucks. Orillia played a full team effort to topple the Canucks 4-1 to capture the championship.
Kaiden Robitaille, Jeffels, Laughlin and Gilbert scored for the Terriers. Assists were tallied by W. Winkel, Teahen. Laughlin and Snellman. McIver was solid and earned player of the game honours.
The six wins are added to Orillia's first three regular-season wins, increasing their streak to nine straight wins. The team success is attributed to a strong work ethic imposed on the team by the young coaching duo of Chris Marinakos and Mike Greco.
Orillia's next home game is Oct. 12 at Rotary Place at 5:10 p.m. vs Bradford.
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