RAMS RULE NOVICE REP!
Submitted By
Greg Eurig on Tuesday, March 22, 2011
The Reps finished their regular season undefeated and rode the winning streak into the playoffs. In their first series against the Walkerton Capitals the Rams put away the competition quickly and efficiently, three games straight. Next up, was a round robin series against Mitchell and Goderich with the top two teams playing off in the finals.
Mount Forest first played the Mitchell Meteors. The Reps defeated Mitchell in both games 5-0 and 6-3.
The Rams then took on Goderich and downed the Sailors - 6-1 and 5-2, placing Mount Forest in the finals.
Mitchell put out Goderich sending them back for one final "grudge match" against the Hometown Boys.
The Novice Reps travelled to Mitchell on the 19th of March to start the best two out of three series for the Ontario Minor Hockey League Championship.
Mitchell came out in the first period with the championship on their minds and caught the Rams flat footed. Mitchell jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first and extended it to 3-0 early into the second.
It was unfamiliar ground for the players, coaches and parents but Mount Forest would not give up - an end to end rush by William Black finished with a beauty deke got the Rams on the board. Next it was Patrick Brown, Brody LeBlanc and Evan Dewar's turn with Dewar finally jamming in a goal mouth scramble, pulling the Reps within one. At the 5:44 mark of the third the line of Owen Troyer, Gavyn Stevenson and Black struck again with Black slapping in his second of the game, tying it a 3-3.
Great defensive play by Owen Moyer, Brayden Darroch, Luke Eurig and Jake Kleinsteuber allowed the forwards to continue to pressure Mitchell. With two minutes left Dewar completed the comeback for the Rams taking a nice pass from LeBlanc and wristing a shot high over the Mitchell goal keeper's glove. Mitchell pulled their goalie but Rams keeper, Jacksen MacKenzie and the boys shut the door, making the final 4-3 Mount Forest.
On Sunday March 20th, the Reps had a chance to win the OMHA Championship on home ice in front of a large hometown crowd.
Both teams played a strong first period trading chances. Mount Forest struck first with Eurig feeding Black , who streaked down the left side and fired a shot that was stopped by the goalie, but Brown going hard to the net was able to slam home the rebound with only five seconds left in the opening period.
In the second period there was no scoring with MacKenzie providing the home side with timely saves, keeping the score 1-0 Mount Forest going into the third.
Black quickly gave the Rams a two goal lead with a hard wrist shot past the Meteor netminder.
Mitchell got back into the game three minutes later with a goal of their own making it 2-1.
The Reps replied with Black again scoring on a wrister - assisted by Moyer.
Mitchell pulled their goalie for an extra attacker, but Mount Forest outworked the Meteors and Black completed the hat trick with an empty net goal. Rounding out the scoring - Troyer put one top shelf with under a second to go making the final 5-1 Rams.
THE MOUNT FOREST NOVICE REPS ARE OMHA CHAMPIONS!!!
The boy's talent, dedication and teamwork resulted in the rare accomplishment of an undefeated season, a perfect playoff record and the WOAA and OMHA Title!
