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News Index
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Sailors hire
head coach
By JACOB ROBINSON TIMES-REFORMER
Though the SOJHL regular season has been long
finished for those in the McConnell Conference,
one club remains as busy as if it were January.
With a forgettable year behind them -- one in
which they finished last place with a record of
3-32-1 and had three different head coaches --
the organization began looking for a new bench
boss to lead its young roster in the 2010-11
season.
Enter
Chris Gill.
Gill is a Hamilton native that has coached at
various levels while his two sons played in
Ontario's minor hockey systems. A
self-proclaimed hockey "lifer," Gill began
looking at taking the next step in his coaching
career this spring and applied for the vacant
job in Port Dover.
"I could tell the interview process had went
well, but they had some tough decisions and I'm
just thrilled to have the opportunity to work
with a great organization and I have no doubt
we'll be a successful team," said Gill.
The new coach will soon meet with the team
executive, where together they will assess
everything in the organization from top to
bottom.
"Though we haven't had any camps yet, I can
promise that the players will be giving 110 per
cent and the coaches will be doing the same,"
said Gill. "Everyone within the organization,
which includes the executive, will be doing
everything they can to make this team
competitive and get into the playoffs.
"I realize that's an optimistic goal but I'm an
optimistic person and based on what I've seen
with the executive, this is going to be a team
to watch."
In the selection process, the five-person
committee the organization had assembled was
taken by Gill's passion and commitment to the
job.
"He's been coaching for 20 years and his work
ethic and the way he wants to develop the team
-- he believes the coaching staff is a team, not
just one individual -- won the guys over," said
Sailors general manager John Slade.
The Sailors have also hired Rob Hutchinson of
Tillsonburg as an assistant coach. The club says
they have two more assistants lined up but did
not want to release their names until the deals
have been completely finalized.
The coaches, along with Slade and director of
hockey operations Mike Bollert, will take the
first steps toward building next year's club
immediately.
"We're not waiting until September, we're going
to start April 15, that's when we can legally
start looking for players," explained Slade.
Having coached at the younger levels, Gill was
drawn to the club because of its youthful core
and is hoping to build a winner, though he
admits the process is not going to be an
overnight fix.
"It's thrilling to go into a town that has such
a rich hockey history -- the franchise has been
there for a long time. I want to thank the
executive for the chance," he said. "I realize
there is work to be done - we've only gone about
10 per cent of the journey at this point.
"I have no doubt that after the team has been
selected, it's going to be a competitive group
that will do well. We want to be recognized as
the best organization in the league."
Port Dover has also applied for their drawing
area to be expanded to include the
Hamilton/Wentworth area. The team will discuss
the issue during an OHA Membership Committee
tomorrow, with results to follow.
The team is still on the lookout for goaltending
and conditioning coaches.
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Searching
for a new coach
By JACOB ROBINSON, SIMCOE REFORMER
Its full steam ahead for the Port Dover Sailors
as the franchise readies for the 2010-11 season.
The SOJHL club held its annual general meeting
Tuesday where very little changed in terms of
executive members. Al Reu remained the
president, and will be joined by Kevin Hoover as
vice and Dave Cowan as secretary.
As for the
on-ice side of things, John Slade will return
for his second year at the general manager post
while former GM Mike Bollert will remain
president of hockey operations.
There are vacant positions for the team's
coaching staff, and before the league's champion
is crowned this spring, the Sailors are looking
to get their bench boss search started.
"We're going to get started in a couple of
days," said Slade. "We have a number of coaching
applications -- both local and from Hamilton and
London. We're starting the first of the month, a
little earlier to get a jump on things."
The new staff will be tasked with improving on a
dismal 3-32-1 season that saw the team go
through three head coaches and finish last in
the SOJHL standings by 13 points.
The bright light for the organization is the
host of young, local players that stuck with the
team even in tough times, in addition to pickups
like forward Kyle Hodgeson (18 points in 19
games) and goaltender James Kerst.
That alone is helping attract applicants.
"The ones we've had apply are mostly guys that
want to develop, or have developed players
before. We're just hoping we don't have too many
going off to school," said Slade.
"The kids stuck with us last year when most
would've bailed halfway through. Most of them
are staying local and have said they want to
come back."
To help with the recruitment process, the team
has applied to add Hamilton-Wentworth to its
drawing area.
"There are lots of kids in the Hamilton area
that aren't playing because they can't find
teams, and we're limited to just four imports
right now," explained Slade.
"That would open up a whole new area for us."
Before team officials think too much about the
product on the ice, they'll be focusing on
exactly who will be leading their young group
for what they hope will be years to come.
"First off we need a coach in place," said
Slade. "With interviews we can find out what his
philosophy is, but we're definitely looking for
a good mix of local talent and out-of-town
players."
The successful coaching applicants are expected
to be named in mid to late April. A ruling on
the team's proposed expanded drawing area is
expected from the OHA later this spring.
The Sailors, and all other SOJHL teams, won't
have to worry about moving up to the Junior C
ranks, at least not yet anyway. The OHA's
"Tomorrow's Game" proposal that would see all of
Ontario's junior teams streamlined into three
divisions has been put on hold until at least
2011.
Jacob Robinson
519-426-3528 ext. 121 jrobinson@bowesnet.com
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Sailors' Alumni team face off against current
Sailors
At home on Sunday, the Sailors’ current roster
played a fun game against former players. The
Alumni team was no match for the younger Sailors
who won the game 8 – 4. Following the game, the
team held their annual awards presentation.
Organization president Al Reu thanked the
players and their parents for their dedication
to the team. "We didn’t win many games, but
everyone had fun."
At home on Sunday, the Sailors’ current roster
played a fun game against former players. The
Alumni team was no match for the younger Sailors
who won the game 8 – 4.
Following the game, the team held their annual
awards presentation. Organization president Al
Reu thanked the players and their parents for
their dedication to the team. "We didn’t win
many games, but everyone had fun."
General Manager John Slade echoed the thanks by
saying, "Thank you for hanging in with us. Your
dedication was great. Everyone was always out
for practices, something we haven’t had in a
number of years." Mr. Slade also thanked the
staff and the executive for their time and
effort during the year.
The Sailors’ future, however, is uncertain as
the Ontario Hockey Association begins to change
the format of junior hockey in the province. "As
far as I know," Mr. Slade said, "We will be a
Junior C team next year. Some off the teams have
protested this change and we have several more
meetings about it. The aim of the OHA is to help
Ontario become a showcase of elite hockey in
Canada.
Under the "Tomorrow’s Game" restructuring plan,
the OHA is scraping the provincial junior A
league as well as junior B, C and D and
realigning about 120 teams with the hope of
improving junior hockey in this province.
Unfortunately, for centres such as Port Dover,
the move to Junior C will mean increased need
for funds.
President Reu said the plan means hockey has
become more serious. "Going to Junior C is going
to cost a lot more money and we’re going to need
much more help and support or we will be done in
two years, something that will be a shame for
the kids who won’t be able to play junior
hockey." Mr. Reu added that anyone interested in
helping keep the Sailors afloat is welcome to
join the executive or make a donation to the
organization.
Despite the team’s poor record this season, the
players were thanked and praised for their
efforts. Team Captain Kevin Verbruggen, one of
two over-age players who will not be returning
next year, encouraged the team, which was mainly
comprised of midget-aged players, to continue
their hard work. "You’re a good group of guys
and it was always fun to play with you. You
stuck it out to the end and worked hard. Keep
plugging away; things will get better."
J.D. Moore, the other over-age player leaving
the team, also thanked the team, staff and
executive. "The team had a rough year this year,
but you’re a great group of guys. I enjoyed my
time here."
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13 Feb 2010
Delhi wins again
The Delhi Travellers finished out
there regular season with a win, while the same
couldn't be said for the Port Dover Sailors.
Delhi's top line was in fine
form, scoring every goal for the team in a 4-3
win over division rival Hagersville Friday.
The trio of Tyler Brooks, Jake
Legein and Anthony Gomes combined for nine
points as the Travellers finished the season
with a record of 28-6-2, 20 points better than
the second-place Hawks.
The Travellers will play St.
George (11-23-2) in the first round, with Game 1
set to go on Friday in Delhi, where the team had
a record of 15-2-1 in regular season play.
Hagersville (19-17-0) will match
up with Burford (12-21-2) with the winners going
on to the McConnell Conference championship.
As for the Sailors, they dropped
their final contest in Lambeth to the Lancers
8-2.
Dan Fleming had the team's first
goal with assists from both Kyle Hodgeson and
Kurtis Pettitt. Allen Lishman scored on the
power play late in the third with an assist from
Josh Nunn.
With that, the Sailors finish the
year with a mark of 3-32-1.
By BARBARA SIMPSON SIMCOE REFORMER
The Port Dover Sailors lost their
final home game of the season Sunday, and have
just two more games remaining before bidding
goodbye to a long, arduous season.
While Port Dover had recently won
a few games earlier in the month, the Sailors
nking this achievement by losing this weekend's
pair of games. On Friday, the Thamesford Trojans
battled past the Sailors 6-3. This was followed
by the Tavistock Braves pounding past the
Sailors 5-2 Sunday afternoon.
On home ice, the Sailors
surprisingly proved to be little challenge for
the Braves who are also ranked near the bottom
of their conference. In the first period,
Tavistock's Kyle Alyea set the tone of the game,
netting the first goal. This was soon followed
by a shot from Port Dover's Connor Robinson
which tied things up. But the Sailors soon got
the wind knocked out of their sails, as the
Braves' Alyea once again netted another goal
with only 35 seconds on the clock.
In the second period, Port Dover
went toe-to-toe with Tavistock, only allowing
the Braves' Blair MacKay to secure a single
goal. But in the third period, the gap slowly
widened between the teams, as the Braves picked
up some last-minute steam. Tavistock's MacKay
and James McCorquidale each picked up a goal on
power plays, securing a five-point lead over the
Sailors.
The Sailors attempted a comeback,
earning a final goal on a power play,
compliments of Kevin Verbruggen. It was a goal
that turned out to be the last of Verbruggen's
junior hockey career in Port Dover.
The Sailors are bidding farewell
to not one but two long-time players at the end
of the season -- outgoing captain Verbruggen and
J.D. Moore. These four-year veterans have
reached the age limit for the division, leaving
behind their younger counterparts to fill the
void. Sunday was their last home game as a
Sailor.
"It was a big learning curve for
a lot of guys this season," said Verbruggen, who
added he had 15 teammates who had never played
junior before. "I have a lot of respect for
these guys who have stuck it through," he added.
Although Verbruggen won't be
hitting the ice again with his teammates, he
will be staying on with the Sailors
organization. He is trading his helmet for an
assistant coach's clipboard next season.
"It's a great group of guys and
we're hoping we can turn it around next year,"
he said.
Meanwhile, Moore will be leaving
the franchise to finish up his education. He is
currently completing his final year of
management studies at Conestoga College and
hopes to finish up a university degree.
"I'm looking forward to change,"
he said after Sunday's game. "Being one of the
older guys you can see yourself go through the
stages (of junior hockey)."
However, he admitted that he will
miss the camaraderie he shared with his fellow
players.
"It will be a little different,"
he said.
While Moore only plans to play
pickup hockey on occasion, it is not a
disappointment. He had never banked on a
professional career anyways.
"You always have that dream in
the back of your head, but that wasn't my
focus," he said.
In Friday's game against
Thamesford, Bobby Bezzo, Kurtis Pettitt and
Moore each picked up a goal.
24
Jan 2010
Port Stanley wins Battle of North Shore
By MONTE SONNENBERG SIMCOE REFORMER
It's
far too late to make the playoffs, but the Port Dover Sailors hockey
club is at last beginning to gel.
They
posted their second win of the season against Lambton last weekend
and followed that up with a third victory against the tough
Hagersville Hawks in Hagersville Saturday.
The
Sailors chased win No. 4 yesterday at home against Port Stanley --
who also call themselves the Sailors -- but their luck ran out as
the visitors skated to an easy 7-2 victory.
The
Sailors showed flashes of brilliance in the second period of
yesterday's game as they dominated Port Stanley 17-10 on shots. They
kept Port Stanley bottled up in its own end for most of the period
but had a hard time solving netminder Blake Rawlings. Port Stanley
began the second leading by a score of 3-0 and, despite the game
effort in the second, Port Dover couldn't close the gap as the
period ended 5-2 in the visitors' favour.
"We
made too many mistakes in the second," Sailors general manager Mike
Bollert said. "That's typical of a young team. If you have a more
experienced team, they'll make mistakes, but not to the degree that
we are. This is pretty intense hockey, but we're making far too many
mistakes today."
For
its part, Port Stanley is about as young as a team can be. This is
the inaugural comeback season for junior hockey in the lakeshore
community in Elgin County and, by all accounts, it has been a
success. Port Stanley improved its record to 15-10-4 with
yesterday's win and is guaranteed a playoff spot.
The
task now, says coach and general manager Dale Howard, is to hone
Port Stanley's power play and penalty killing teams while tightening
up play in the defensive zone. The club didn't hope for anything
more than making the playoffs, but now that they are in, they will
go for the gold.
"You've got to put your head down, your ass up and skate like hell,"
Howard said.
Howard
offered Port Dover some encouragement yesterday, saying the club
will be a legitimate challenger next year if it can keep its players
together. Two-thirds of the players on Port Dover are from Norfolk
County.
"There's a lot of hope and promise on this club," Howard said. "I
was saying to someone that they're going to scare the hell out of us
next year if they can keep it together. I like this team. I think
they have some core pieces."
It was
a different story in Hagersville, where Port Dover posted a 6-3 win.
Port Dover scored twice in each period while shutting down the Hawks
in the third. Connor Robinson scored twice for the Sailors in that
match while singletons were credited to Kevin Verbruggen, Josh Nunn,
Kyle Hodgeson and Dan Fleming. Scoring for Port Dover against Port
Stanley were Hodgeson and Colin Wardell. Port Dover's next game is
this Friday in Thamesford. They host Tavistock Sunday at 2 p.m.
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17
Jan 2010
Sailors earn second win
The
Port Dover Sailors earned their second win of the season yesterday,
beating the visiting Lambeth Lancers 4-1.
Port
Dover grabbed the early lead on a goal by Connor Robinson in the
first, then doubled it with a goal by Kyle Hodgeson in the second
period. Hodgeson's goal was assisted by Bob Bezzo and Cody Lyons.
The
Lancers cut the lead in half on a power play goal by Steven
Grimminck with more than 12 minutes left in the third period. But
the Sailors regained their two-goal edge on a power play goal of
their own by Josh Nunn with just over three minutes to play. Garrett
Bolle scored an empty netter to ice the contest.
Sailors goaltender James Kerst was stellar between the pipes, making
39 saves for the victory. Kurtis Pettitt also had an assist on the
Nunn goal.
As
mentioned, this was just the second win on the season for Port Dover
and their first since Joe Pawlick became head coach. They previously
beat Tavistock on Nov. 27, when Al Spooner was head coach.
The
Sailors (2-27-1) are in Hagersville Saturday at 7:30 p.m. They host
Port Stanley Sunday at 2 p.m.
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11
Jan 2010
Two teams preparing for different things
By JEFF DERTINGER SIMCOE REFORMER
The
Delhi Travellers and Port Dover Sailors are county cousins -- who
have absolutely nothing in common.
It's
the classic tale of two seasons, with one team (the Travellers)
heading to yet another first place finish and the other (the
Sailors) already eliminated from playoffs with more than a month
still remaining in the regular season.
Yet to
call yesterday's game meaningless would not be accurate. Granted the
score, a 10-2 Delhi victory, was highly predictable and relatively
unimportant. But there was still a lot to glean from the showdown on
both sides.
For
the Travellers, the game was another tune-up as they prepare for
what is hopefully another long playoff run. Delhi is now 23-3-2 with
eight games left on the regular season slate, 14 points ahead of
Hagersville atop the McConnell Conference.
"For
us, it's important that we use games like this one to work on our
power play and penalty kill, because special teams are going to be
extremely important come playoff time," Delhi goaltender Josh Dyjack
said.
Dyjack
has played superbly since moving to the Travellers from the Sailors
organization. Yesterday's win was his second over his former club,
and the youngster has proven he is more than capable filling in for
Delhi starter Justin Belanger.
"I
think we just have to stay focused," Dyjack said. "It's hard
sometimes when you're just playing out the string, especially
because we're so anxious to get the playoffs started already."
While
the Travellers are looking forward to the postseason, Port Dover is
already looking ahead to next fall. The Sailors are a dreadful
1-27-1 on the season, and with just seven games to play, are
eliminated from playoffs. But that doesn't mean the squad doesn't
have reason to play hard.
"Sure
there's something to play for, the guys are playing for positions
next year," said Sailors head coach Joe Pawlick. "I've got the team
again next year and we're going to be a much improved club. We're
going to have some more money behind us, and we plan on icing a
contender."
The
Sailors are a young club that has also been dealing with injuries.
Yesterday they had three defencemen suiting up as forwards, and
playing the first-place club didn't help matters any.
The
actual contest was over almost as soon as it started. Delhi scored
four goals in the first period and increased that lead to 6-0 before
Port Dover got on the board with a Josh Nunn power play goal midway
through the second period.
Captain Doug Young scored a hat trick and Mike DeCarolis scored a
pair of goals for Delhi, with singles coming from Derrick Scherman,
Mike DeCoene, Jake Legein, Steve Dol and Nate Moyaert. Simon Frystak
scored the other Port Dover goal.
On
Saturday, Port Dover lost in Burford by a score of 5-1. Nunn scored
the first goal of the game, but it was all Bulldogs after that.
Delhi
also picked up a huge win Friday, beating the always-dangerous
Thamesford Trojans 5-3. The teams traded goals throughout the
contest with Thamesford tying the game six minutes into the third
period. But a late 5-on-3 power play for Delhi led to the game
winner by Dol, and Doug Young scored his third goal of the game to
ice it a minute later.
On the
docket for the two Norfolk SOJHL teams this week:
*
Delhi hosts their annual alumni night Friday, with the Yeck
Conference-leading Mt Brydges Bulldogs coming to town for a 7:30
p.m. start. All former Delhi junior players get free admission to
the game, and pictures, jackets, trophies and other souvenirs from
the team's past will be on full display in the arena.
* The
SOJHL all-star game goes down Saturday in Lucan. Delhi will be
represented by forwards Jake Legein and Steve Dol, defenceman Marty
MacDonald and goaltender Justin Belanger. Port Dover's
representatives are Connor Robinson and Cody Lyons.
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4
Jan 2010
Hotheaded Sailors and Irish clash
By BARBARA SIMPSON SIMCOE REFORMER
As the
last-place Port Dover Sailors and Lucan Irish hit the ice for an
inconsequential game, they delivered tension that was thick enough
to cut with a knife.
The
Sunday matchup between the last-place McConnell and Yeck conference
teams was riddled with fistfights, injuries and, above all,
penalties. In fact, the Sailors had 19 penalties followed closely by
the Irish with 15 penalties during the afternoon game at the Port
Dover Area Arena. Despite the on-ice antics, the Irish were able to
battle past the Sailors 8-5.
The
Sailors got started on the right skate in the first period, as Bobby
Bezzo netted a goal 30 seconds into the game. But 20 seconds later,
the Irish's Tyler Medd tied up the game. Once the Irish landed that
initial goal, the team was unstoppable for the rest of the period,
netting four more. Meanwhile, the Sailors attempted to come back
with a second goal by Garrett Bolle in the first period. Later on in
the first, Bolle was ejected from the game.
In the
second period, the Sailors sink against the Irish. While Port
Dover's Josh Nunn scored a goal early on, it was no match for the
Irish who scored two goals, bringing their total to seven for the
game. As frustration mounted, the teams started clashing on the ice.
Both the Sailors and the Irish each lost a player when Port Dover's
Adam Wylie and Lucan's Chris Read brawled.
The
tension only brew in the third, as the Sailors' Adam Kannawin was
ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct. Port Dover fans trickled to the
boards, hurling insults at the Irish. It was enough to send the
Irish's Chris Van Kasteren over the edge, as he started pounding the
glass with his stick to silence the naysayers. This caused him to be
removed from the game for unsportsmanlike conduct as well.
When
the Sailors and the Irish weren't at each other's throats, they
managed to net some goals in the third. On a power play, the
Sailors' Kevin Verbruggen netted a goal followed by a second from
Kevin Mummery. The Irish only managed a single goal in the last
period, but it was enough to secure their victory -- the pot of gold
at the end of a hard-hitting rainbow.
While
Sailors' head coach Joe Pawlick admits it was a physically rough
game, he is proud of his team for at least closing the gap between
the teams. Last time, the Irish defeated the Sailors 9-2.
"We
haven't scored five goals in four games in a row," he said, adding
his team also had 10 shots on net in the third period.
While
the Sailors are in last place with only nine games to go, he still
expects his players to work hard during the remainder of the season,
particularly on their team play.
"We
finally got a good breakaway going on," he said.
The
Sailors will next travel to Burford to battle the Bulldogs on
Saturday. The puck drops at 8: 30 p.m
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21
Dec. 09
Sailors drop important game to Dukes
-- Jeff Dertinger
Port
Dover's slim playoff hopes are almost non-existent.
The
Sailors dropped another two games on the weekend, losing to the
Delhi Travellers 9-3 and the St. George Dukes 3-0. Port Dover is now
1-23-1 on the year and 12 points out of a playoff spot.
On
Friday, Port Dover surrendered the first seven goals of the game
before finally coming alive in the third to trade markers with the
hosting Travellers. Delhi out-shot the Sailors 52-35, with Anthony
Gomes recording a hat trick and assisting on two other goals. Port
Dover got their goals from Zakk Collins, Kurtis Pettitt and Josh
Nunn.
While
a loss to the first-place Travellers could be forgiven, losing to
the Dukes yesterday was a real blow. St. George is in fourth place
in the McConnell Conference, just ahead of the Sailors, and their
victory was essentially a four-point swing.
Curtis
Campbell scored twice and Matt Mascarin scored once, as the Dukes
also out-shot Port Dover by a 52-35 margin. Sailors netminder James
Kerst made 49 saves to keep his team within spitting distance.
With
10 games remaining, the Sailors would likely need to win at least
nine to make the postseason
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12
Dec. / 09
Hagersville gunning for top spot
By JACOB ROBINSON SIMCOE REFORMER
Sunday's game in Port Dover was between two teams fighting for
positioning within the SOJHL's McConnell Conference.
The
Sailors are a long shot to make the playoffs, but are still in the
race, while the Hagersville Hawks have their sights set on top spot.
Port
Dover's playoff hopes got a dimmer with Saturday's 13-1 loss in
North Middlesex, while the Hawks grabbed two points over Wellesley
by a score of 4-1.
Yesterday, the Hawks managed to stay undefeated in December with a
7-2 win, while the Sailors are still without any points since late
November.
Hagersville held a slim one-goal advantage in the second period, and
then reeled off five of the next six to put the game out of reach.
"They
were consistent out there. We had our chances, but didn't
bury
them and had a lot of giveaways," said Port Dover's Bob Bezzo. "It's
a tough loss."
Bezzo
was playing in just his second game with the team after being
acquired from the Norwich Merchants. New Sailors coach Joe Pawlick
moved the defenceman up to forward and results followed as Bezzo
scored his first junior hockey goal.
"It
was good, just a big weight off your back," said Bezzo, who played
on a line with Zach Swarts and Colin Wardell.
"They
treat you like gold down here, they're great guys and they have the
potential to win, but that comes with time. You've got to get guys
gelling together. Overall it's a decent team really."
The
Hawks peppered Port Dover goalie James Kerst to the tune of 41
shots. A pair of wins this weekend puts Hagersville just six points
back of first place Delhi.
"It's
that time of year where you have to start building momentum and we
circled right around Christmas as (the time) when we wanted to start
making a move and the boys are coming through," said Hawks coach
Derek Bujan.
"We
kept our feet moving, we kept getting pucks on net, our powerplay
was clicking, we basically stuck to our game plan and they executed
to a tee."
Burford picked up a win over St. George Saturday night, tying the
Dukes with 15 points for the final playoff position. Port Dover
(1-21-1) has a 12-point gap to bridge with 12 games to play.
Bezzo
said the Sailors would need to focus more on moving the puck out of
their zone.
"Making first passes, breaking out is the biggest part, other than
that, these guys are good, they've got the hands, they've got the
skill, they've got the speed," he said. "All they need is to gel
together."
Finalists for the McConnell Conference Championship last year, the
Hawks are looking for a second half push that would give them home
ice advantage.
"The
chemistry in the room is great. Any line we put together, it seems
they click right away and they gel," said Bujan.
"We've
got to stay focused, play our game plan. We can't take anybody
lightly ... we're not looking for a second seed, we want first and
we're coming after Delhi."
JD
Moore had Port Dover's lone goal Saturday with assists going to Adam
Wylie and Wardell.
Port
Dover will get a crack at the first place Travellers on Friday in
Delhi, the Hawks head to Burford Saturday night.
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Dec 11 /09
One shift at a time
By JACOB ROBINSON SIMCOE REFORMER
The
new man tasked with getting the Port Dover Sailors into the playoffs
is focusing more on the present than the future.
It's
no secret that with a 1-20-1 record, the SOJHL club will be in tough
to qualify for its first postseason in two years, so new head coach
Joe Pawlick -- who began as an assistant a month ago -- is breaking
things down.
"We've made it simple, gone back to basics," Pawlick said following
team practice last night. "Simple breakouts, the defence picking up
their reads quick, (and) moving the puck."
Pawlick is the team's third coach of the season, and took over for
Al Spooner this past weekend in losses to first place teams Delhi
and Mount Brydges.
There
are 14 games left on the schedule and Port Dover sits 10 points out.
Pawlick said the key will be for his players to concentrate on the
ice rather than the point standings.
"We
just told them to win every shift. Go out there and win your shifts,
have some fun and make the game simple and they're responding really
well. We outshot Delhi 45-41 (Sunday), this team hasn't outshot
anyone all year," he said.
"We
can't look at it like we have to win 12 games, we know as coaches
how many games we've got to win and who we've got to beat."
Both
Burford (6-12-1) and St. George (7-12-1) sit in front of the Sailors
in the standings. The team still has three games to play against the
Dukes and feels they are still very much in the race.
"You've just got to go to your strengths, and that's what we've done
here," Pawlick said. "After the first week, me and (assistant coach)
Joe (Spencer) sat down and came up with lines and our forecheck and
the kids are all responding to it. They said last practice was the
hardest practice they've ever worked."
Since
Pawlick was with the team earlier in the season before leaving due
to a non-hockey related issue, the Sailors have bulked up their
roster, including new goalie James Kerst, point producing centre
Kyle Hodgeson and last night signing former Norwich Merchants
defenceman and Simcoe's own Bobby Bezzo.
"The
guys that we picked up are good hockey players ... (Hodgeson)'s
helped us out a lot -- scored some goals when we need it," explained
Pawlick. "(And) James is an amazing goalie."
Another true test awaits the Sailors this weekend as they travel to
North Middlesex to face the league champion Stars before returning
home to take on division rival Hagersville Sunday afternoon at 2p.m.
Pawlick said divisional games from here on out are must wins.
"Hagersville
Sunday is a big game," he said. "We've got to win it."
|
|
12 Dec. 09
Travellers top Sailors 5-2
By MONTE SONNENBERG SIMCOE REFORMER
A change at the top can
shake up a hockey team, but at the end of the day the players still
have to prove what they can do on the ice.
So far that winning
formula continues to elude the Port Dover Sailors, who had to face
two of the best teams in the Southern Ontario Junior Hockey League
loop this weekend after replacing former head coach Al Spooner.
The Sailors were blown
out 11-1 in Mt. Brydges Saturday but fared better at home yesterday
against the Delhi Travellers in a 5-2 loss.
It was a good weekend
for Port Dover's new coach Joe Pawlick, considering that both games
could easily have ended with lopsided scores.
"They're a good team,"
Pawlick said yesterday about Mt. Brydges. "They're so good they
shouldn't be playing Jr. D. They should be playing Jr. B. The
average age of their team is 20. Ours is 17."
Pawlick has the Sailors
trying new things.
"We're finally doing a
good breakout," he said. "The (defence) is hitting their outlets
really quick. And captain Kevin Verbruggen has played awesome all
weekend. He's doing everything you could ask of a captain. His
attitude is always positive. He's the one that's keeping everyone
up. We're doing all of the small things. We weren't doing the small
things before."
For his part, it's been
a pretty good 10 days for Delhi coach Norm Stefan. Delhi, which has
a firm grip on first place in the McConnell Conference, came within
a hair of sweeping the top competition in recent days.
The Travellers were
leading Thamesford 6-5 with time running down in the third period
Friday when Thamesford scored the equalizer and ultimately the
winner in overtime. Had Delhi hung on to that lead, it would have
been the Travellers' third straight win over the other best teams in
the league. Delhi recently scored a 7-3 win over the defending
Ontario champions from North Middlesex and a 5-2 win over Mt.
Brydges.
"I'm happy with
everybody right now," Stefan said yesterday. "I can't complain. We
have four good lines and we're rolling them pretty good."
The Travellers spread
the scoring around yesterday, with Steve Dol, Nathan Moyaert, Jake
Legein, Doug Young and Anthony Gomes scoring one apiece. Kurtis
Pettitt and Garrett Bolle replied for Port Dover.
|
|
Nov 30
/09
Sailors get first win but can't make it two
JEFF
DERTINGER Simcoe Reformer
SOJHL
HOCKEY :Port Dover beats Tavistock 7-4 on Friday before losing 4-3
to Burford Sunday
PORT
DOVER -- They finally have a win, although it wasn't the one they
really wanted.
Make
no doubt about it, the Port Dover Sailors are ecstatic to have the
monkey off their backs after picking up their first win of the
season Friday, a 7-4 victory over the Tavistock Braves. But it would
have been so much sweeter if they could've held on against the
Burford Bulldogs Sunday afternoon to make it two in a row.
Instead it was Burford leaving with an important two points, as they
scored three times in the final 11 minutes to earn a 4-3 decision.
It was a game in which the Sailors never trailed until Jason Watson
scored with 1:36 remaining.
"It's
unfortunate but you know what, in the end we still played a good
game," said Sailors coach Al Spooner. "We killed ourselves today,
they didn't beat us. We let that one slip away, but mark my words,
we're still going to make the playoffs."
The
Sailors were up 3-1 on goals by Connor Robinson, Evan Saunders and
Garrett Bolle. But a questionable goal by Watson at 10:57 gave
Burford all the momentum, and the Sailors began playing like a team
trying not to lose instead of one trying to win.
"That
second goal was rough, it kind of broke us and gave them all the
momentum," said Sailors goaltender James Kerst.
A Port
Dover turnover led to the tying goal by John Slade at the 5:27 mark,
and the comeback was on.
It was
a completely different story Friday night, as the Sailors were the
road team mounting a furious comeback. Tavistock led 4-2 heading
into the third period before Port Dover reeled off five straight
goals.
Dan
Fleming started the comeback, scoring with 11:46 remaining. Saunders
then scored a shorthanded goal a minute later to tie the game.
With
three minutes remaining and Port Dover on the power play, Josh Nunn
scored his second goal of the night to put the Sailors ahead. Tyler
Zylstra scored with 1:26 left in the game for insurance, then
Robinson added an empty netter to ice it.
Simon
Frystack scored the first Port Dover goal, with assists going to
Robinson (2), Kurtis Pettitt (2), Zylstra, Kyle Hodgeson, Adam
Wylie, Kevin Mummery and Cody Lyons.
"It
was a great night, a great comeback," Kerst said. "I feel we turned
a corner here with that first win, and we're going to keep winning
and make the playoffs."
Kerst
is new to the Sailors. The Cayuga native has played three games in
Port Dover, going 1-1-1. Kerst said he's happy to be in Port Dover,
and the Sailors are happy to have him.
"Our
goalie has been awesome, he has stood on his head for us," Spooner
said. "It was a good win on Friday -- one of many to come."
The
Sailors (1-18-1) will kick off December with two extremely tough
games. They head to Mt. Brydges (14-2-2) Saturday before hosting
Delhi (14-2-1) less than 24 hours later Sunday on home ice at 2 p.m.
|
|
Nov 26 /09
In need of a crew
By JACOB ROBINSON SIMCOE REFORMER
The Port Dover Sailors never thought when they hired a new coaching
staff in early November they'd need to find more coaches just a few
weeks later.
Head coach Al Spooner isn't going anywhere, but his two assistants,
Ron Coleman and Joe Pawlick, have been forced to step down due to
personal matters, so the team is once again on the lookout.
Spooner has been coaching games by himself in recent weeks, until he
fell ill last weekend and Port Dover director of hockey operations
Mike Bollert stepped in to fill the void.
Spooner will be back behind the bench this weekend. It's unknown
just when he'll get more help.
"It's not that bad, until you get into a close game, you could use
the extra set of eyes out there for things like watching the clock,"
Spooner explained.
"The kids have been good, they know who I'm going to pick to go out,
and I know who I'm going to want out there. We've been getting by.
It is what it is."
The Sailors have endured a hard luck season. A few of their veterans
eligible to return from the 2008 campaign decided not to, which
compounded when they got off to a winless start -- a streak that has
run to 18 games (0-17-1).
"It's been trying on everyone," said Spooner. "It's hard on the
kids, the parents, the executive -- when you're not winning,
everything feels worse."
As of last night, Port Dover was not out of the playoff race though.
They are just 10 points behind fourth place St. George in the
SOJHL's McConnell Conference, and have a host of new players, led by
new number one goalie James Kerst and forward Kyle Hodgeson.
With a hat trick against Wellesley in just his third game this
season, Hodgeson now has five points (four goals, one assist) in
four games and sits tied for third in team scoring.
"Anything can happen, it's still possible," Port Dover general
manager John Slade said. "We've made some additions to our lineup
... all with Junior D experience. They'll be able to help out our
young guys. We haven't given up yet."
Slade said he would like to hire someone soon, but will still
respect the process.
"Personally I don't think any one coach can run things by
themselves, there's too much going on," he said.
"We've gotten a few inquiries, but we need to have a look at them
and do interviews. It all takes time."
Spooner was mentored by Coleman for a number of years when he began
coaching, and said he would do the same for anyone with the right
credentials.
"I just want somebody who's dedicated and wants to make the Sailors
a better hockey team," he said. "If they have the time and are
willing to learn, I'm willing to teach them."
The Sailors will hold their weekly practice tonight and shoot for
their first win tomorrow in Tavistock (5-8-3). They'll be back at
home Sunday at 2 p.m. versus Burford where a new defensive system
will be front and centre.
"The forwards, I've come up with a solution, and goaltending was
never a problem," said Spooner. "It's the defensive zone coverage --
it's a combination of our defence and forwards. It's about the
defence making a good first pass and the right play to get out of
our zone.
"I switched things around against Wellesley (Nov. 21) and it worked
great
...We've got it going in the right
direction."
|
|
23 Nov 09
Sailors get first point
The
Sailors earned their first point of the season Saturday night in
Wellesley, as Kyle Hodgeson scored his third goal of the game with
1:17 left to force overtime before Port Dover fell to the Applejacks
4-3.
The
teams traded goals in the first and second periods, with Hodgson
scoring both Port Dover markers at even strength. Wellesley got a
powerplay goal from Rob Hinschberger in the first and a 5-on-5 goal
from Justin Milne in the second.
The
score remained locked 2-2 for most of the third period before Read
Shantz scored the go-ahead goal for the home side with 1:23 left in
the game. Just 10 seconds later, Hodgeson replied on the powerplay
with an assist from Eric Loiseau.
Wellesley won the game on a goal by Pat Doyle less than a minute
into the extra frame.
Dan
Fleming and Josh Breedyk each had one assist for Port Dover, who
out-shot Wellesley 37-33.
The
result wasn't as positive 24 hours later, as the Sailors lost 7-3 to
the visiting St. George Dukes last night. After a 1-1 first period,
the Dukes pulled away with four straight goals and held on for the
victory. Colin Wardell, Adam Wylie and Hodgeson scored the Port
Dover goals, with assists going to Tyler Morley (2), Kevin
Verbruggen, Wardell and Hodgeson.
|
|
Nov 16
/ 09
Sailors keep striving for
that elusive 'W'
By MONTE SONNENBERG, SIMCOE REFORMER
A
losing streak is hard on any club, but it is especially difficult
when the team knows it is playing well enough to win.
That
is the Port Dover Sailors lot in life these days as they ran their
record to a dismal 0-15 with a 4-3 loss yesterday to the North
Middlesex Stars, last year's Ontario champions.
The
defeat follows on the heels of a 3-1 loss to the Hagersville Hawks
in Hagersville Saturday night. That game ended with the Hawks
potting an empty net goal with seven seconds remaining in the third
period.
This
weekend's losses were especially tough because North Middlesex, at
13-2, is the top team in the Yeck Conference of the Southern Ontario
Junior Hockey League. For their part, the Hawks hold second in the
McConnell Conference, one point behind the 10-2-1 Delhi Travellers.
"We
just played the first and second place teams, and we're with them,"
Sailors coach Al Spooner said yesterday. "The kids see that. It's
coming. It's just going to take a little time."
Despite the dry spell, Spooner is confident the club will make the
playoffs. When that happens, it will be an entirely new season. The
Sailors have made some recent adjustments, and so far Spooner likes
what he sees.
"I now
have four lines that can roll at any time," he said. "We just have
to do a little work in our own end and on the break out. We have the
parts. All we have to do is bring the vehicle together. The
important thing at this point is to get the kids to believe in
themselves."
As for
the defending champions from North Middlesex, they continue to reap
dividends from their surprise victory over the Delhi Travellers
earlier this year in the all-Ontario final. General manager Doug
Timmermans said the players and the fans still haven't come down
from that.
"It's
made recruiting a lot easier," he said. "A lot of players seek us
out. The dressing room this season is a little different. Everyone
is still riding that high. The fans and the players are pretty keen,
and you get that feeling that everybody is gunning for you."
Even
though the Stars have lost only two of 15 games so far, 2009-2010
remains a rebuilding year. The club lost five players this season
due to age limits who accounted for three-quarters of North
Middlesex's offense last season.
On the
other hand, younger players have stepped up. Forward Chris Wilson is
the second leading scorer in the loop this season with 28 points.
Two of those came yesterday as goals against Port Dover.
All of
Port Dover's scoring against North Middlesex came in the first
period. They began the second period with a 3-1 lead. North
Middlesex went on to tie the game and notched the winner with less
than 10 minutes left in regulation.
Scoring for the Sailors yesterday were Steve Bray, Simon Frystak and
Colin Wardel. Port Dover outshot the stars 30-29. Josh Breedyk
scored Port Dover's lone goal against Hagersville Saturday.
|
Nov
11 /09
By Daniel Pearce,
SIMCOE REFORMER
If the hard-luck
Sailors are looking for inspiration
in their effort to turn around their
disastrous season, they can find it
standing behind their bench.
Al Spooner, who last week took
over as coach of the winless Junior
D squad, has been through worse than
this and survived.
We're not talking about hockey.
We're talking about cancer.
"In my speech to these guys, I
said to them they're 0 and 10 and
I'm 0 and 10 in life," Spooner said.
"I wasn't supposed to win another
game in life and I'm here. My
mindset was I was going to beat and
I did.
"If you want it to happen, you've
got to work for it."
The 50-year-old, who coached the
Sailors two years ago but had to
leave after he got sick, went from
200 pounds to 135.
"I almost died last October," he
said.
Spooner now leads a junior team
that after yesterday's 4-3 home loss
to the Exeter Hawks, sits at 0-13
and is mired deep in the basement.
Spooner and the rest of the
Sailors remain hopeful they can dig
themselves out of this hole and make
the playoffs. Last season, the
Burford Bulldogs started at 0-12 and
they did it.
But it's going to take a lot of
determination, a lot of belief that
adversity can be overcome, and a lot
of work, Spooner said.
"We're going to start at ground
zero and work our way up," he said.
"Our man to man coverage in our end
is dreadful. Our play without the
puck -- they have no idea what to
do."
Right now, his
players are playing "pond hockey,"
he said. "There's no rhyme or reason
to what's being done."
In yesterday's home loss, the
Sailors didn't look that bad. They
battled back from a 4-1 second
period deficit to come within one
goal of earning a point.
Even Exeter's coach Jeff MacLean
had praise for his opponents.
"Port Dover is a good team," he
said. "They're working hard out
there.
"If you had have told me they
were 0 and 12 before the game, I
wouldn't have believed you. They'll
win one sooner rather than later."
The veterans on the Sailors
meanwhile are trying to keep the
atmosphere "as light as possible,"
said team captain Kevin Verbruggen,
20. "If you start beating yourself
up too hard, you grip the stick too
hard. You can have a wide open net
and put it wide."
On Thursday night, the first game
behind the bench for Spooner, the
Sailors lost to Ayr 8-4. On Friday,
they were downed 6-1 in Burford.
But there are signs the team is
getting better, said Mike Bollert,
director of hockey operations.
"They've been playing 60 minutes
a game now," he said. "If there's a
time for patience, it is now."
On Sunday, Port Dover's goals
were scored by Cody Lyons, Garrett
Bolle, and Chris Murray.
Friday's lone goal was potted by
Braeden Shand.
On Thursday, Josh Nunn, Connor
Robinson, Bobby Lake, and Alex
Gamble bulged the twine.
The Sailors' next game is
Saturday in Hagersville. On Sunday,
they host North Middlesex.
|
|
Nov 11 09
Change at the helm
By JEFF DERTINGER, Simcoe Reformer
The
Port Dover Sailors have a new coaching staff.
Well,
it's kind of new.
After
an 0-10 start to the season, the Sailors executive felt it was time
to make a change. Out is head coach Kevin Doherty and assistant
coach Adam Walker. In is former Port Dover Sailors head coach Al
Spooner and assistant coach Ron Coleman. Also joining Spooner and
Coleman as assistant coach is Joe Pawlick.
Well
liked by all the members of the club from players to executives,
letting Doherty and Walker go was not an easy decision to make, said
general manager John Slade.
"As an
executive, we felt it was time," Slade said. "Results were a big
part of the decision, but it wasn't the only one.
"Doherty has a business that he's trying to run, and trying to look
over this team too . . . it just wasn't working."
Doherty joined the team in the summer of 2008. In his first season,
he led the Sailors to an 11-20-9 record, finishing in a tie for
fourth with Burford. Port Dover didn't make the playoffs because
Burford had more wins, but their season came down to the final game.
This
year has been a tough one to swallow. The Sailors were blown out by
four goals or more four times in the first 10 games, yet lost by
just one goal another four times. They've scored fewer goals than
anyone in the entire league and their leading scorer is Evan
Saunders with seven points.
"Unfortunately I was unable to reach the expectations of the club as
head coach of the Sailors and wish them the best of luck in both the
short and long term future," Doherty said in an e-mail to the
Reformer. "Both Adam and I would like to thank the committee, the
backroom staff and all the players that have played for us over the
last 14 months for their hard work and commitment."
With
Doherty out, the search for a new head coach was a quick one. The
Sailors executive decided to bring back a familiar face.
Spooner coached the team from 2006 to 2008, heading up the club for
the final 10 regular season games and playoffs in 2006-07, and
coaching the team to a 12-27-3 record and a first-round playoff exit
the following year.
Coaching with him for most of that stretch was Coleman. The two also
coached together with the Simcoe Storm and Delhi Travellers, only
Coleman was the head coach and Spooner was his assistant. In Simcoe,
Coleman and Spooner led the Storm to a Niagara & District Jr. C
title and an all-Ontario semi-final finish.
Joe
Pawlick was hired on independently from Spooner and Coleman, said
Slade. His last coaching stop was as assistant coach to the Brampton
Capitals Jr. A team.
The
Reformer was unable to contact Spooner last night, as he was behind
the bench for his first game as coach. The Sailors were in Ayr to
take on the Bauer Division-leading Centennials. Results of that game
were not available at press time.
The
Sailors are in Burford Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. They then host
Exeter Sunday at 2 p.m.
|
|
Nov 01 /09
Dreadful start continues
By DANIEL PEARCE, Simcoe Reformer
The
Sailors' dreadful start to the season got a whole lot worse on the
weekend.
The
Junior D club dropped a pair of games, in which they were outscored
15-3, and are now winless with more than a quarter of the season
already gone.
Never
mind worrying about making the playoffs, this is a team that is
struggling just to get into the win column.
"The
first win is the hardest," coach Kevin Doherty said following
yesterday's 8-2 home loss to the Thamesford Trojans.
The
Sailors woes are being attributed to the fact they have 15 new
players, most of whom have never played junior before.
Doherty said his young team needs "to learn to win" and called for
them "to roll up their sleeves and keep battling away . . . The
players can't stop now. If they stop now, there'll be no progress."
Defenceman Adam Kannawin said the atmosphere on the team is "tense"
during games.
"We
show up every week and hope to make it happen. As the games go on,
it gets tougher," he said.
Kannawin, who is in his second year with the club, said the players
are trying to remain positive.
"We
pick out the little things we do right and try to build on those. I
think we need our first win, then things will start coming."
The
Sailors director of hockey operations, Mike Bollert, said this is
the worst start of any team he has run in his 45-year career.
"We've got enough talent on this team to win our share of games,"
he said. "As yet, it's not been shown.
"I
think our main thrust here is to make sure there is junior hockey in
Dover."
He
attributed his team's troubles to "youth and inexperience."
But on
Sunday Port Dover lost to a team that is not in a much different
position than they are.
The
Trojans have 12 new players this year but have a winning record.
Thamesford coach Dick Howard said the trick with a rookie team is to
have a system and make sure everyone sticks to it.
"If
everybody is playing the same system, the talent will come later,"
he said.
On
Friday night the Sailors lost 7-1 in Port Stanley. Evan Saunders had
Dover's lone marker.
Sunday's scorers were Tyler Zylstra and Kevin Mummery.
The
Sailors have three chances to turn things around next weekend. They
play in Ayr on Thursday and go to Burford on Saturday. They host
Exeter on Sunday.
|
Oct 25 /09
Oct 18 /09
Port
Dover drops two close ones
By Monte Sonnenberg, SIMCOE REFORMER
It's taken six games,
but the Port Dover Sailors are finally showing signs of coming
together as a team.
The Sailors lost both
their games this weekend. But this time around, the decisions could
easily have gone the other way.
The Sailors stunned the
Delhi Travellers in Delhi Friday night when they stormed back from a
5-1 deficit to the tie the score 7-7 with less than five minutes to
play. Thanks to a goal late in the third period, Delhi managed to
erase that potential embarrassment by earning an 8-7 win.
And yesterday at home
against the Wellesley Applejacks, Port Dover was winning 3-2 until
the midway point of the third period. Two goals in the final 10
minutes provided Wellesley with its 4-3 margin of victory.
Mike Bollert of Simcoe,
the Sailors' director of hockey operations, has been waiting
patiently for this club to gel.
"We've got so many young
players in our lineup who have never played junior," he said. "It's
taken time for them to adjust. But now we can see light at the end
of the tunnel. The adjustment is coming. We are starting to see
that.
"They're playing with
more composure. They're playing together more. But I wish there was
more chatter out there. I'm not hearing what I want to hear. There
were a couple times when there was an open man and he didn't holler
for the puck."
Others want the Sailors
to get over their growing pains and put one in the win column as
soon as possible.
"We have to get rid of
the cigars," said equipment manager Dwight Creaser. "As in, 'Close,
but no cigar.'"
As the score indicates,
Wellesley and Port Dover were evenly matched. The clubs registered
40 shots apiece on goal. The Applejacks also had a busy weekend.
Along with their win in Port Dover, they scored a 4-3 shootout win
over Ayr Thursday and claimed a point in a 4-3 overtime loss to
Exeter Friday.
Wellesley coach Kevin
Fitzpatrick suggested that complacency on Port Dover's part after
the Sailors went up 3-2 in the third may have been their undoing.
"When it was 3-2, it
looked to me like they were sitting back," Fitzpatrick said. "When
we tied it 3-3, it is hard to turn it around. But Port Dover played
well. I was impressed with the way Port Dover played for
three-quarters of the game. Unlike last season, Port Dover played
well without the puck. I was impressed with that. That's what we're
trying to teach our guys to do."
Scoring for Port Dover
yesterday were Garrett Bole, Evan Saunders and Connor Robinson.
In Delhi Friday, Kurtis
Pettitt and Saunders each scored a pair, with single goals coming
from Cody Lyons, James Moore and Simon Frystak. Nathan Moyaert
scored two for Delhi -- including the game winner with 3:16 to play
-- while single goals were scored by Mike DeCoene, Anthony Gomes,
Tyler Brooks, Steve Dol, Adam Devos and Jake Legein.
The Sailors' next game
is this Saturday in St. George. The following day they are at home
for a 2 p.m. start against the Hagersville Hawks.
|
By Monte Sonnenberg,
TIMES-REFORMER
The Port Dover
Sailors were outshot by a margin of
more than two-to-one in their game
against Mt. Brydges this weekend,
but goalie Josh Dyjack did a good
job of keeping the score close.
The teams appeared headed to a
scoreless tie Sunday afternoon when
the Bulldogs finally breached the
Sailors' defences with six minutes
remaining in regulation time. By
time the buzzer went, Mt. Brydges
had added two more to make the final
score 3-0.
"He played a great game," Sailors
coach Kevin Doherty said of Dyjack.
"He is a quality goalie. He had a
lot of help from his defencemen
today. He had a great game, as did
the whole team from the defensive
zone."
Mt. Brydges outshot Port Dover
51-20. However, from Doherty's point
of view, it is not the number of
shots that matter, but the quality.
"We don't care if they get 80
shots on net," he said. "We just
don't want 30 shots from the slot."
Reid Marchand posted the shutout
for Mt. Brydges. Scoring for the
Bulldogs were Tom Jobson, Ryan
Battersby and Derek Hann.
The loss leaves the Sailors with
a record of zero wins and four
losses. They are in Delhi for a 7:20
p.m. game.
Their next home game is this
Sunday when they take on Wellesley.
The puck drops at 2 p.m
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Oct.
4 / 09
By Jacob Robinson
The Port Dover
Sailors ran into the buzz saw that
is the Ayr Centennials Sunday.
The Centennials came into Port
Dover with a 3-0 record, and
extended their unbeaten streak to
four with an 11-2 win.
Port Dover's Steve Bray scored a
pair of goals in the early going to
keep the score close, until Ayr
netted six markers in the third
period to bust it wide open.
"The first period and a half, we
skated with them," said Port Dover
captain Kevin Verbruggen, who was
sitting in the stands due to injury.
"We were right there and then we got
one bad bounce and started getting
down, and one thing led to another."
The loss comes off the heels of a
5-2 defeat in Exeter Friday night
for Port Dover.
Adam Kannawin had a goal and
helper, while Evan Saunders score
the other Sailors goal. But that
wasn't the game the team will be
thinking about this week.
"With a young team, you don't
want them to forget what it feels
like getting beat that bad. Every
time you hit the ice, you want to
remember how bad that felt, but on
the same token, you don't want to go
out thinking, 'We got killed last
game,'" said Verbruggen.
"You want to forget, but you want
to keep it in the back of your head
at the same time."
Port Dover has averaged a little
more than 30 shots per game in their
three losses this season, and look
to take a page from Ayr's playbook
in facing Mount Brydges at home
Sunday.
"They're just peppering the net
with shots," Verbruggen said of
the Centennials. "You've got to
shoot to score and Friday night in
Port Stanley they got 58 shots in a
game. That's the key to the game,
you've got to shoot. We've got to
shoot more.
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Sept 24 / 09
Sept
24 / 09
The Port Dover
Sailors got in some exhibition
action over the weekend in
preparation for their Southern
Ontario Junior Hockey League opener
next Sunday.
Port Dover traveled to Ayr
Thursday before playing a
home-and-home with St. George
Saturday and Sunday. The Sailors
lost all three games, although
winning means zilch in the
pre-season.
On Thursday the Ayr Centennials
hammered the Sailors 9-2. Tyler
Zylstra and Braeden Shand scored the
Port Dover goals, with assists from
Chris Murray, Connor Robinson and
Tyler Morley.
The result was much closer
Saturday in St. George, as the Dukes
picked up a slim 4-3 win on four
third period goals. Robinson, Bob
Lake and Simon Frystak had the Port
Dover goals, with Lake also earning
an assist.
And yesterday afternoon saw the
Dukes win 5-1 with five third period
goals. Evan Saunders scored in the
second period for Port Dover with an
assist from Robinson.
Port Dover has two more
exhibition games, one tonight in
Hagersville at 8:30 p.m. and one
Wednesday when Ayr comes to town for
an 8 p.m. game. The real season
begins for the Sailors Sunday at
home against Burford at 2 p.m.
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April
16 2009
JACOB ROBINSON, Simcoe
Reformer
Following the team's annual
general meeting last night, the Port Dover
Sailors are now armed with new men at the top --
and a new attitude to boot.
The team named a new general manager in John
Slade, a new president in Mark Fitzgerald and
new vice-president in Evan Hesketh.
As an assistant GM in recent years, Slade has
worked under longtime GM Mike Bollert, who
retired at the conclusion of last season. Though
Bollert will not be directly involved as the man
in charge, he will be doing a lot to help Slade
adjust to the position.
"I've been working with Mike for over 20
years, and Mike is still going to work with me,"
explained Slade. "He's retired as GM, but he's
still going to work on the scheduling with me
and he's going to train me a little more on the
stuff I haven't done with him. So I'm going to
depend on Mike to get over the hump and into the
routine."
Fitzgerald won a vote over outgoing president
Al Reu. As a former player and vice-president
last season, Fitzgerald knows the challenges
that the job entails, and will be looking to
bring the team back to the top of the standings.
"It's an honour. It just feels really good,"
he said. "I played here for five years and I
just want to see everything done right, to make
it back to what it was, what it used to be. When
the banners got hung up in the walls, that's
what I want it back to, and we've got a great
group of people to help out, too."
And the executive will need to hit the ground
running. Bollert referred to the job facing the
new Sailors brain trust as being 'a massive
undertaking.' The club ran on one of the lowest
budgets in the entire OHA last season, but
Fitzgerald said the group would look into
getting more supplies, ice time and equipment
among other things for this season -- and they
plan to do it by working with the community. His
group will also try to get young minor hockey
players excited about the chance to don a
Sailors uniform.
"It takes money, so we're going to be
knocking on a lot of doors and asking," said
Fitzgerald. "Hopefully people help us out. We'd
really like to do certain things like get some
of the minor hockey kids out with the players so
they can start to look forward to playing with
the team in the years to come. I'd like to see
it come right through the organization, right
through the little kids."
The OHA has announced a plan to standardize
the way all teams host games this season. A
multi-paged booklet called 'Tomorrow's Game'
also laid out certain positions that each team
should consider adding, such as assistant
trainers, gameday managers etc. Teams will also
be required to have matching helmets, gloves,
pants and visors.
The changes are something the team is in
favour of -- for the most part.
"It's a standardize program," said Slade.
"They want you to get the players more involved,
they want to promote the OHA. The OHA is one of
the biggest organizations, and really, they are
very low-keyed. They want to start getting their
image picked up and give junior hockey in
Ontario a better image. They want everybody to
work with the same template and towards the same
goals."
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