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TNT Minor Hockey game reports

Posted January 31, 2012

Select 7's
It was an exciting week o hockey for the TNT Select 7's sponsored by Briway Carriers as they battled key rivals in the race for playoff positioning.

January 22 saw the 7's make the trip north to Barrie to play the BMW's. After several recent tough loses, the boys were keen to hit the ice and regain their groove for the upcoming playoffs.

Two quick Barrie goals in the opening minutes of the first period had the 7's unexpectedly back on their heels. Down, but far from out, TNT quickly found their confidence, taking the fight back into the Barrie zone. They were rewarded for their efforts with a nice head-up goal from Kyle Jordan to put the 7's on the scoreboard, 2-1. Seizing the momentum, the 7's continued to apply the pressure. Michael Bottrell tied the game with a tough goal in front of the Barrie net, 2-2 after one period.

In the second, smothering defence and great goaltending had both teams lamenting several missed scoring chances. It was a very action packed period of hockey. No goals were scored, but it was a very entertaining 10 minutes.

Barrie slipped a quick goal in the opening minute of the third to take a 3-2 lead. Never losing their focus, the 7's continued to press hard, playing smart and disciplined hockey. With time ticking down and the tension mounting, it was time to queue the comeback. Taking the puck in the TNT end of the ice, Michael Bottrell slammed the tying goal home on a sweet end to end rush. Final score 3-3. What a great effort from the entire team. They certainly worked hard for this result.

January 27 had arch rivals Barrie Mini's visiting the friendly confines of the NTRC for a key game with playoff implications.

As with the January 22 game, Barrie game out firing in the opening minutes of the game to take a quick 2-0 lead. The rest of the period saw the 7's playing catch-up hockey and trying to find their sea legs.

The intermission talk from Coach Rob seemed to work in spades as the entire team kicked it up a notch and came out with a focused attitude and a fire in their bellies. This seemed to completely overwhelm Barrie. Jake Norman started the comeback putting the 7's on the scoreboard with a great effort in front of the Barrie net, 2-1 Barrie. More pressure in the Barrie zone saw goals from Carter Lundy and two from Michael Bottrell to give the 7's a 4-2 lead after two periods.

Two subsequent goals from the Mini's had the game end in a 4-4 tie. It was a great effort for the boys who showed a lot of heart and determination after the very slow start in the first period. The entire team should be proud of their efforts!

The final game of the weekend had the Newmarket Redmen making the trip to the NRTC for a Saturday afternoon matinee tilt.

With a nasty flu bug hitting the dressing room, the boys needed an extra bowl of Wheaties as they faced a very strong overall hockey team.

Although not indicative on the scoreboard, the 5-1 final score doesn't reflect the tremendous effort the boys displayed against one of the league powerhouses. Cater Lundy was the lone goal scorer for the 7's.

The regular season winds down on February 4 as the Georgian Blaze make the trip to Alliston for another important battle with significant playoff ramifications. Come on out and cheer on TNT's youngest guns - they always appreciate your support!

Cole Turcott takes part in the national finals of the NHL Jr Skills over the weekend

Turcott shows in Ottawa
Over the past weekend Cole Turcott, a member of TNT's Novice AA, travelled to Ottawa to compete in the Canadian Tire NHL Junior Skills competition against five of the most talented eight year old hockey players in the country.

The four events that Cole competed in were Fastest Skater, Puck Control, Target Shooting and Passing. With incredible speed and puck accuracy Cole finished in the top three, milliseconds from first overall in Canada. Great job Cole.

Cole has been on skates either at the rink or in his back yard, since he was three years old. This year he plays on a young and extremely talented Novice AA team sponsored by Ken Beattie Ltd. and he is one of the leaders. His never quit attitude and love of the game is why some of our parents did not hesitate when they heard about the trip and had to go cheer on one of their own.

As part of finishing in the top six in Canada, Cole got tickets to both the All-Star competition and All-Star Game, plus the opportunity to meet Brian Burke, Gary Bettman, Zdeno Chara and many more of hockey's greats.

Novice AA
The Scotiabank Novice AA sponsored by Ken Beattie Ltd. travelled to Stouffville for an early evening tilt against the "backs to the wall" Clippers for game four. Simple plan. Win and it's a mini vacation. Heal the upper bodies and rest in hopes of going into round two one hundred percent healthy.

In the first, you could tell the do or die was doing it as they really out worked the visitors for most of the period. Late in the first it was a great little feed from Cole Turcotte to Wylie "the Wizard" Birkett who smashed it home. 1-0 after one.

In the second, the same dynamic duo hooked up again as "the Wizard" cranked another one home to take the commandind 2-0 lead after two.

The third saw what is considered second nature to the young phenoms as they were happy just to maintain control of the game and ride the waves back to home. The home side had other ideas. With two minutes left in the game the team from Stouffville tapped one in to split the lead. Hold on to your hats.

But in the last two minutes the boys upped the game and took it to the Clippers and squashed any hopes of a comeback. Throw the brooms and collect the towels. Off to the 2nd round of the difficult OMHA playdowns. Good luck against Newmarket. Schedule TBA.