Main photo: The Huntsville Junior C Otters and guests serve up spaghetti at their annual Code Blue fundraiser (from left) Tyler Gervais-Rolfe #17, Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Tony Clement, Coach Marc Gagnon, Bo Peltier #3, Coach/GM Brent Tomlinson, Michael Kruger #6, Glen Gagnon #21, Ty Sparling #30, Nathan Delarosbil #19, Alex Brisson #18, Connor Small #28, and Quinn Thompson #7.
In their first PJHL games of 2018, the Junior C Otters took one win and one loss, and showed some solid community spirit.
The Otters travelled to Penetang on Friday, January 5 for what both Otters coaches described as the best game of their season. Coach Marc Gagnon said, “The game was fast paced and evenly matched. The boys played with a lot of heart.”
The Otters played in Penetang for the second time this season knowing the tough challenge of playing in a smaller arena. “Both teams played quality hockey and as a team we battled hard from start to finish, we just didn’t have any puck luck that night and skated to a 3-1 loss,” said Gagnon. “As a team, we learned a valuable lesson that will help us down the line, we now know that we can play in that rink. It’s a tough building to play in, but the more we play there, the more we are starting to understand what needs to be done to play well there.”
On Sunday, January 7, the Otters hosted the team’s annual Code Blue game and spaghetti dinner in support of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation.
First, the Otters met the Orillia Terriers for their second heated game of the season. Coach Brent Tomlinson noted that the Huntsville vs. Orillia rivalry burns strong, and Sunday’s game was no exception.
Due to illness, injury and suspensions, the Otters coaches were only able to ice 11 skaters for Sunday’s game, however, “this group played with enough heart to fill out an entire roster,” said Tomlinson.
Orillia tried to rile up the Otters and bring on the fights to shorten the Huntsville bench even more but their tactic didn’t work — the Otters held their cool. “Our team showed great character in not allowing this to happen. I could not be more proud of them, not only their effort, but the discipline this team has displayed,” said Tomlinson.
During the first flood break, the Huntsville Timbits took the ice to entertain the Otters fans as ‘future Otters’. It was an excellent reminder of how all hockey players first start out: sweet and innocent.
The Junior C team played like they had 20 players for both games although they only had half the bench.
Otters #18 Alex Brisson’s offensive performance stood out in both games, and he scored his first goal as an Otter along with two more goals throughout the night at the home game. He earned first star of the game for his efforts.
Brisson fought hard at the net, with the Terriers provoking him every time, but his response was a gentle smile as he skated away while Orillia earned a penalty. The power play allowed the Otters to score four goals.
Coach Brent Tomlinson was excited for Brisson as he gave him a high five after scoring his first Otter goal. “Alex is a player that we know is capable of being a very elite player in this league and it’s nice to see that he is starting to find his way.”
With a solid performance in net by Otters goalie #30 Ty Sparling, the game ended with a strong 7-1 win against the Terriers, eliciting high fives and celebration both on the ice and in the stands.
But the night was still young for the Otters as they headed into the Active Living Centre to serve their fans a hot spaghetti dinner in support of the Huntsville Hospital Foundation. This year, all of the proceeds will support the purchase of new stretchers for the Emergency Department at Huntsville District Memorial Hospital.
Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Tony Clement came in from the cold to eat alongside the Otters and their fans to support a good cause.
Thank you to the Huntsville Junior C Otters for their time and to everyone in attendance for their donations.
On Wednesday, January 10, the Otters meet Schomberg at home in a make-up game from December before heading to Midland on Friday, January 12. These next two games are important as the Otters are pushing their way into the playoffs. Go, Otters, go!
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