“We have proven since last season we are hard to beat at home,” said Junior C Otters co-coach Brent Tomlinson. The team won two of three games last weekend, with both wins on home ice. Since the beginning of the season, seven of the Otters 10 wins have come at home.
The Otters shared the Don Lough Arena ice with the Alliston Hornets on Friday, November 16 and entertained their fans as they surpassed the 2-0 lead Alliston had in the first period to take the win, 5-2.
Tomlinson said the night had a playoff atmosphere with more than 200 fans in the stands and the players putting in a playoff effort. “It was a fun one to be a part of, and only the second time the Otters have even beaten the Alliston Hornets in franchise history,” he said.
Co-coach Marc Gagnon added, “Everyone played well and played our systems to a T. Ty Miller #31 was spectacular in net.”
On Saturday, November 17, Huntsville travelled to Midland for game two of the weekend where the their opponents stole the win, 5-2. “The team struggled out of the gate and never found any rhythm,” said Gagnon.
“The team had a sluggish start and we were a little too high mentally from an exciting victory the previous night, and Midland capitalized on their chances,” added Tomlinson.
The Otters returned home on Sunday, November 19 to face the Penetang Kings.
“We came to work,” said Tomlinson. “The boys had seen the upside of victory and the lows of a loss this weekend and showed they have the determination and buy-in it takes if we’re going to stay in the win column.”
Both teams were fighting for the win and by the third period buzzer the game was tied at 2-2. It took seven minutes of sudden death overtime with the teams playing four-on-four before the Otters came through and scored for a 3-2 win. Coach Gagnon said, “Great team effort with Everett Nudd #4 netting the overtime winner.”
Overall this was a big weekend at a critical point in the season for the Junior C Otters. “We have worked very hard on implementing our systems and the boys believe in them and we are very proud of their buy-in into it,” said Gagnon.
An update on Otters captain ‘Delly’, Nathan Delrosbil #19, who suffered a lower body injury earlier in the season: he is recovering at home and no time frame has been given as yet for his return. The team hopes that will be soon as they miss his offensive skills and leadership.
The next Junior C Otters home game is this Friday, November 23 at 7:30 p.m. Come and cheer on your hometown team and don’t forget to bring a teddy bear for the annual teddy bear toss, with all bears being donated locally. You all Otter be there!
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