With four games in five days, last week was a busy one for the Huntsville Junior C Otters.
On Wednesday, January 17, the Otters travelled to Midland for a make-up game. It was a clean three periods with Huntsville incurring zero infractions, but Midland was tough competition and the Otters lost 8-2. Coach Brent Tomlinson shared that they wanted the win against Midland but due to weather and game cancellations the team went without playing for five days. “We never found our rhythm and struggled to get our legs under us.”
Game two came against the Stayner Siskins on Thursday, January 18. The Otters said it all on their Facebook page: “There are definite positives from each and every game, from some unreal saves in net to that play that finally connected. The scoreboard sometimes does not tell the whole story.” Stayner proved to be the stronger team on this night and skated away with a 10-3 win, but the Otters put in a solid effort as the team picked up three power play goals by Bo Peltier #3, Nathan Delarosbil #19 and Behn Ware #20.
Friday night’s home game on January 19 against the Orillia Terriers was a nail biter for fans, players and coaches — the Terriers left it all out on the ice rather than putting the puck into the net! Every period had the fans puzzled as to why some of the Otters had to take penalties and they let it be known through screams to the refs, the Orillia Terriers players and coaches.
“We showed signs of moving in the right direction. Our power play was 4 out of 6 on the night and this proved to be key, as like all games with Orillia. It was a penalty-filled contest,” said Coach Tomlinson. The Otters won 7-3 in a rough game that saw Orillia receive 71 minutes in penalty time on 18 infractions while Huntsville had 41 minutes on eight infractions.
In the Otters fourth and final game of the week on Sunday, January 21, they came out blazing with fire under their blades — it was great hockey to watch. Their opponents, the Penetang Kings, brought their game to win but the Otters were one skate ahead for every period and took their second win of the weekend, 5-2.
The Otters’ coaches have spoken about how the arenas play a big role in how the teams play, noting that the season has been a battle of the buildings, with each team coming out successful on their home ice. The game against the Kings was a classic example of using home ice advantage — they have the smallest rink in the league and the Otters have the biggest, so the coaches need to adapt strategies corresponding to ice size.
In this stretch, Otters captain, Nathan Delarosobil #19, also set the Junior C Otters record for points in a season.
“As an organization, we are extremely proud of Nathan,” said Coach Tomlinson.
“As a former player in Huntsville, I tip my hat to our captain for breaking the team record for points. He’s been a great player for us all year,” added Coach Marc Gagnon.
Nathan responded like a captain. “I had no intention on breaking the record,” he said. “I was mostly just focused on trying to win games and do everything I could to try help the team as much as possible. Pretty cool feeling to be able break the record and hold that status though. Big shout out to my teammates who helped me achieve such a thing and to our improved power play! The team is definitely going in the right direction at the right time.”
The Junior C Otters take to the ice tonight against the Caledon Golden Hawks as they fight for sixth position in their division in the final game before the playoffs. The team is hopeful and excited to pull ahead of Schomberg. “In order to do that, we will need a win against Caledon at home tonight and to have Schomberg lose to Penetang on Saturday evening,” said Coach Tomlinson. ”It’s going to be a very exciting weekend of hockey in the division as there are still a few spots up for grabs!”
Join the Huntsville Sting girls hockey teams in the stands at tonight’s game for ‘Sting Night’. The puck drops at 8 p.m. — come and cheer on our home team!
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