The Norwell Redmen travelled to Burlington last week to compete at the provincial high school hockey championships (OFSAA). The Redmen were representing Central Western Ontario Region (CWOSSA) and were one of 20 schools competing from across the province. The Redmen earned the trip to OFSAA after winning the CWOSSA championship on March 4 in Waterford.
It was the first OFSAA appearance since 2009 for the Redmen and the fourth in team history. The team competed in a four-team pool with schools from Bracebridge, Burlington and Haliburton.
To begin the tournament, Norwell came out flying versus Bracebridge, with Blair Butchart scoring on the first shift of the game, assisted by Josh Keuneman. The Redmen continued the strong start with a goal off a faceoff from Jason Joostema, assisted by Dan Kauth. In spite of several other great chances, the Redmen could not expand the lead and that would prove costly.
Midway through the second period, Bracebridge narrowed the gap on a great individual effort. Bracebridge started to control play, eventually scoring twice in the third period to take the lead and adding an empty-netter to win 4-2. Norwell goalie Tommi Ahlgren was excellent in net, facing 34 shots.
The Redmen rebounded nicely in their second game, posting a solid 4-0 victory over Burlington’s Lester B Pearson. Keuneman opened the scoring in the first from Butchart and Justin Schmidt. Later in the first, Kauth extended the lead, assisted by Joostema and Derek Mercey.
Norwell continued to dominate play in the second period and were rewarded with two more goals to lead 4-0. Keuneman scored his second of the game assisted by Butchart and Derrick Williams and Cole Leslie tallied the fourth Norwell goal assisted by Brendon Aitken and Zach Franklin. After a scoreless third, the Redmen secured the win. The shutout was shared by Ahlgren and Tyler Reiner.
The final round robin game was crucial for the Redmen to advance to the quarterfinals. The team needed at least a tie against Haliburton to advance. After a long layoff between games, the Redmen seemed sluggish to start the game and fell behind 4-0 early in the second before coming to life and staging a dramatic comeback that ended up falling one goal short. Cole Leslie, assisted by Aitken, got the Redmen on the board midway through the second, followed shortly by a goal from Brad Binkle assisted by Aitken and Leslie.
An unfortunate bounce led to a fifth Haliburton goal before the end of the second. Redmen came out firing in the third, scoring two goals within the first four minutes to narrow the gap to 5-4.
A Leslie tally, assisted by Binkle and Aitken was followed by a goal by Aitken from Leslie and Cameron Charlebois.
The final 11 minutes saw Norwell pound many pucks at the Haliburton goalie in an inspired effort to tie the game, but they were unable to score the equalizer. The final score was a 5-4 defeat and an end to what team officials called “an outstanding season and playoffs for Redmen hockey.”
Haliburton advanced and eventually won the bronze medal at OFSAA.
The coaching staff – Mark Israel, Ian Strachan and Steve Miller – stated they are “extremely proud of the effort, determination, development, and class that this group of players has demonstrated all season.
“We look forward to the challenge of defending the CWOSSA championship next season,” the coaches added.
A press release from team officials expresses thanks to the community for “their overwhelming financial support in helping to give the players the chance to compete in this prestigious event.”
Sponsors included: TG Minto, Leslie Motors, Harriston Kinsmen Club, Blooming Dales, Nieuwland Feed and Supply, Harry Stone’s, KTN Taxi, Wightman Telecom, Norsco Sports, Bramhill Seeds, C&M Seeds, Martin Well Drilling , Dan Sinclair Construction, Wellington Wood Products, Germania Mutual Insurance, Lakeridge Heating and Cooling, Centura, Palmerston Dental, Young’s Haulage, Domm Transport Inc., Town of Minto, Wellington Construction, D’Arcy Construction, Palmerston Lions Club, Carl Israel Farms Ltd., Ontario Police Association, Jack Financial Inc., Optimist Club of Minto, Paul Franklin Contracting, C. Spaling Carpentry, and Norwell Redmen Alumni.
