Sports – April 25
’23 – ’24 Canadiens of the Boston Pizza Hockey League in Midland Run the Table and go UNDEFEATED!
By Gerret Kavanagh
April 9, 2024 – I can clearly remember when I began playing organized hockey as a 6 year in 1965 in the North Toronto Hockey Association house league and immediately fell in love with the sport, a passion that has continued to this day. The hockey player of the family was certainly my late dad, Paul Kavanagh. A high school hockey star and, (wisely for that era) turning down tryout offers from the New York Rangers and the Boston Bruins in favour of a corporate career, captain of the varsity team at the University of Toronto. Never rising even to the “rep” level, I managed to play on several house league “select” teams as well as being an assistant captain for a couple of seasons. I was fortunate to be on several championship teams in house league, an intermural championship team in my final year of grad school at UBC, and actually quite a number of winning teams in the Chesswood Men’s League in Toronto. But I have NEVER been on a team like the ’23 –’24 Canadiens of the Boston Pizza Hockey League in Midland!
The 6 team Boston Pizza Hockey League has a draft before each season. To ensure a thorough reshuffling of the players each team is permitted to pick a maximum of just three players from the previous season. Legend has it that I was selected next to last in the draft which makes sense as who would want to select an unknown 64-year-old player who just moved here that August? Humbly I would say that I managed to fit in pretty well with the calibre of this league, except perhaps for the championship game when because of a shortage of players, I had to play the unfamiliar forward position. By definition, thanks to the draft, the team that drafted me, the Canadiens, was not a ‘stacked’ team. But I don’t think that I have ever been with a group of players who were harder working, completely unselfish, and absolutely supportive of each other.
The Canadiens proceeded to go 18 – 0 in the regular season and 5 – 0 in the round robin playoffs leading to the championship game on Sunday April 7th!
The Bruins were our very worthy opponents in the final game. (Unfortunately, we were missing a number of players – out of town, other commitments, etc). We scored the first goal after about 5 minutes but the Bruins scored on the very next shift. They then took a 2 -1 lead, we tied it, and then they went back ahead 3 -2 near the end of the first period. Despite a lot of back-and-forth action the Bruins continued to hold that same lead through much of the second (and final) period. When there were just 3 minutes and 45 seconds left in the game their best player (indeed one of the best players in the league) was awarded a penalty shot after being tripped on a breakaway! Pretty much the entire season was on the line here. Our goalie made the save! We managed to tie the game with under two minutes left and then went ahead with less a minute left! With their goalie pulled for an attacker we withstood some furious pressure before scoring into the empty net with 35 seconds left! Final score 5 – 3!
Truly a historic achievement! Hopefully I have a few more years of hockey left but this season was one for the ages. Great bunch of guys and lifelong memories.
I would like to salute Andy Staffen and Boston Pizza on Heritage Drive for organizing and supporting this extraordinarily well-run hockey league for TWENTY YEARS. All the players owe Boston Pizza a tremendous debt of gratitude for providing the opportunity for such safe, friendly, and competitive hockey on Sunday mornings for all these years.
Elmvale Chargers Hockey Team 2023-2024 Elmvale Recreation Champs.
This team was once know as the Thursday night bush league. The Chargers defeated the Wings in a championship game. Springwater News Sports Reporter, Tim Tom asked some of the players when the last year that the Chargers were champs? They answered, “A lot of us where not born yet. We know if was before 1967 (Maple Leafs)”.
Elmvale Pharmasave Tuesday Night Curling League Champions.
Congratulation to Murray MacDonald, John Stevenson, Tye McCutcheon and Alec Stubbs.
First Time in Twenty Four Years OMHA Champions
Tier 1 U18 OMHA Champions, Elmvale’s own Coyotes sponsored by Whitfield Guardian Pharmacy. The trophy was held by Jake Dutton, Jake Murphy, Jenifer Coughlin, Mayor Township of Springwater, Matt Garwood, Township of Springwater Councillor Ward 1, Beckam Westcott and Garrette Faye. During the Friday parage presentations at the Elmvale Legion. OMHA Championship Trophy will be presented at the Elmvale Maple syrup Festival at the main stage. Come and celebrate. Elmvale continues to celebrate the Coyotes OMHA Championship with a parade in Elmvale on Friday April 12, 2024.
Curling News
The “A” Event Curling Winners are Scott Wagner, John VanCasteren, Nina Eldred (Waterside Rep), Skip Russ Madore and Don McRae. The “A” Event Runner-ups are Neil Maurice, Skip Mike Townes, Nina Eldred (Waterside Rep), John Stevenson and Brent Ziliotto. The “B” Side Winners photo are Rick Turner, Wayne Young, Nina Eldred (Waterside Rep), Skip Ron Belcourt and Dean Bissonette. The “B” Side Runner-up photo are Larry McMann, Reg Cowan, Nina Eldred (Waterside Rep), Skip Michael Jacobs and Bill Claasse.
Friday Senior Waterside Retirement Lodge Curling League
Submitted by Mike Townes
April 17, 2024 – On April 5th, the Friday Senior Waterside Retirement Lodge Curling League finished the 2023-24 season with two exciting playoff games and luncheon supervised by Dave Don.
The league would like to thank the Waterside Retirement Lodge for their on going support to our league over the years.
2024 NATIONAL CHEER CHAMPIONS – JADE, Wasaga Beach
By Wanda Spring
We are incredibly proud of Riley Rimmer and her teammates for all their accomplishments this weekend at the Canadian Cheer National Championships in Niagara Falls, ON!
It definitely was a full pull kinda weekend with huge successes for Riley as she competed 5 times U16 Level 3 Champ First ever Canadian Finals and a Hit Zero, Double 00 hit for Moonstone .
Revolution Repair and Performance U13 LL2 Finish Their Season Off Strong
By Jennifer Price
April 19, 2024 – The U13 just finished their incredible hockey season finishing 2nd place in the Georgian Bay Championship series, and just days earlier, finishing 2nd place at the Bob Beaumont Tournament in Parry Sound. Two silver medals in as many days isn’t too shabby. Their season started back in September, where they met their coaching crew for the year. Dave, Daryll, John and Chris took on the task of teaching, and inspiring this motley crew. They did an incredible job. Most of the kids knew each other from years past, but there were some new faces that didn’t have that instant connection. With just a few practices under their belts, they all started to come together as a team.
Games started in October, playing in the Eastern Division of the Georgian Bay loop, facing off against some extremely talented and big teams. Teams like Oro, who I heard one player say, “that kid had a moustache”, and who can forget the battles we had against our arch rivals Elmvale #1. Listening to the kids give credit to the other players and teams, shows the amazing sportsmanship that was being taught.
Our team were late bloomers during the regular season, but things came together at the right time: end of the season and the playoffs. The kids finished the season in the middle of the pack, and certainly weren’t seen as a threat in the playoffs, but as mentioned, they put all the skills that were taught during the season into play and went on what could only be called an epic roll! Everything clicked when it was needed the most; from our offensive crew putting many pucks by the goalies, to our defense, working together and snuffing out most opportunities that the challenging teams had, to our goalie, becoming a wall and doing what he had to do to keep the puck out of the net. What clicked the most was the confidence in each other’s ability to get the job done as a team. This is what propelled them to their victories. During the round robin portion of the playoffs, they went 8-0. A long break slowed our roll, and we just couldn’t get it
back. We travelled to Parry Sound a few weeks ago and found our mojo again, going 5-1 in the tournament. It was an incredible and exciting year to watch and everyone is looking forward to next season already.
Bobby Orr once said, “The biggest thing we get out of it is seeing the kids smile. And hopefully we will also see that the lessons we’re teaching – not only the fundamentals of hockey but also the life values are sinking in.” This year was a huge success for the team. They learned so many new skills, played some great hockey, shared a lot of laughs, and made some great memories. Memories and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Thank you to our sponsors, Revolution Repair and Performance, our coaching staff, our parents, and grandparents, that week after week were able to get the kids to their practices and games, and most importantly thank you to Elmvale Minor Hockey, for dedicating your free time to ensure that there continues to be hockey for our small town to enjoy.
Harold Townes Memorial Trophy Champions
By Dave Don
The team of Mike Townes, Mike Jacobs, John Stevenson, and Dave Lewis won the Harold Townes Memorial Trophy as the champions of the Monday Men’s Masters Curling League’s spring schedule. The win was especially significant for Mike Townes as the Trophy was donated by the Townes family in memory of his father, Harold. On hand to watch the game was Mike’s son and grandson. The winners of the consolation side of the draw were Larry Huth, Reg Cowan, Larry McMann, and Kent Grunland. The Monday Men’s Master League is focused on men who have “mastered” the age of 60 plus. Nine teams and over 40 curlers took part in the Schedule. The group is non-competitive and dedicated to having fun with friends.
