Novice Bs put up Brave fight

Contributed by M. Domanko

MORRISBURG–The South Dundas Novice B Lions displayed grit and determination when they hosted the undefeated Brockville Braves, Tuesday, February 10, for their final league game.   

The Lions opened their season against the Brockville team and memories of that 18-0 loss still lingered.  

Tuesday night, however, was a different affair, and while the Lions may not have come out ahead on the scoreboard, losing 7-1, it was evident that their hard work and dedication over the season made them winners none-the-less.  

Coach Frank Waytowich told his team before the game that they must win the battles in front of the net against the Braves who scored 186 goals in their first 20 games.

The tone was set early in the game, when Jack Thom, realizing that goaltender Sam Waytowich was left out of position after making a spectacular save, threw himself in front of the rebound shot and prevented a goal. 

Max Garlough was strong on the boards, and managed to clear the puck several times past a frustrated Braves defence.  

At the end of the first period Brockville had managed only three goals and they started the second frame with a press to open their lead.  

While they managed to hold the play in the Lions zone for nearly five minutes, no goals were allowed by the home team. 

“It was like we had five extra goaltenders out there, they couldn’t get a shot through,”  said coach Waytowich.  

Nathen Verhey and Brady Smith both exhibited strong positional play, keeping the Braves defence on the blue line, greatly reducing their offensive power.  

Thomas Rae, credited with three blocked shots on the night, actually had the puck disappear into his jersey, resulting in a stoppage of play and a boisterous round of applause from the South Dundas fans.  

By the end of the second period Brockville had managed to double their lead to 6-0.

During the third period, the Lions built on their strong effort and pressed for a goal.  

Collin Minish was tenacious on the fore-check and several times brought the crowd to its feet with great scoring chances.  

Coach Waytowich asked centre Curran Gilmour to guard the slot, and Gilmour delivered, buzzing around the defensive zone and foiling several scoring attempts.   

Late in the third Dean Lapier took one for the team, when a flagrant body check by the Braves Zach Fraser resulted in a Lions’ power play.  

Although unable to capitalize, the Lions did generate several scoring opportunities, Olivia Salmon twice sending teammates up ice with a well timed pass. 

The Lions would see their hard work pay off when Dana Domanko stripped the puck from Braves sniper Owen Webster at her own blue line.  

Brandon Lovely gathered the loose puck and stormed the net, knocking in his own rebound to put the Lions on the scoreboard at 3:32. 

The Brockville cowbell was nearly silent in the third, with the Braves only managing one goal.  

The strong effort from the home team, and each team scoring an equal number of goals in the third period was viewed as a victory by the coaching staff, parents and fans alike.

The South Dundas Novice B Lions will face Athens in the first round of playoffs, February 16 and 20.