The Junior C Otters stayed home this weekend and attacked the ice with a full bench including newcomers to the team to play against the Caledon Golden Hawks on Friday, November 24.
“The game played out as a real back and forth game with two teams I felt matched up well,” said Coach Brent Tomlinson.
Both sides worked hard and skated to a 4-4 tie, leading into another seven-minute overtime skate match with three-on-three. Caledon pushed past the Otters defense to bring the final score to 5-4.
“This was only the second game for a couple of our new players and the first for new comer Alex Brisson #18, so as talented as this group is becoming, it’s still going to take some time to develop chemistry,” said Coach Tomlinson.
Coach Marc Gagnon shared that the boys battled hard as numerous players were under the weather. He also added “the goaltender Jones #31 was unbelievable, making great saves, one after another!” Mitchell Jones was chosen as the second star of Friday night’s game.
Otters goalie #31 Mitchell Jones makes the save
On Sunday, November 26 the Midland Flyers arrived in Huntsville for an afternoon game, but it didn’t begin with a regular warm up. Instead, both competing PJHL league teams joined as one in support of a player from Stayner who was diagnosed with testicular cancer this season.
The OHA website notes: “Joey Visconti of the Stayner Siskins was diagnosed with testicular cancer a few months back and has just recently returned to the ice with the support of his team and the teams across the Carruthers Division and the entire PJHL. Joey returned to action last week as the Stayner Siskins hosted the Orillia Terriers and both teams took a moment to show their support, and on Sunday in Huntsville, the Midland Flyers, Huntsville Otters and on-ice Officials (pictured) took a group photo with the words “We Stand With Joey” to add their support.”
Otters and Flyers players put their on-ice rivalry aside and hold a sign #WeStandWithJoey to show their support for Stayner Siskins player Joey Visconti who was diagnosed with testicular cancer (Photo: Kelly Tomlinson)
When the players skated back on the ice at face off, the togetherness turned to complete competition and both teams were hungry for the win. The Otters were able to get three pucks in the net but also earned seven penalties throughout the game. Not to say that Midland did not do the same but the coaches feel it could have been another win for the Huntsville Otters.
“In my opinion, Sunday’s game against Midland was our most disappointing loss of the season. We’re trying to find the positives and we do understand that all of our recent losses have been in one-goal games, so we know we can play with these teams. But it’s still tough not seeing the progress in the standings,” said Coach Tomlinson.
“Sunday’s game against Midland seemed like we never got it going and a costly penalty at the end resulted in the game winner,” expressed Coach Gagnon.
The Otters met the Midland Flyers at home on November 26
The Junior C Otters will be practicing at home today but then they hit the road to play three out of four nights against the top three teams in the league this weekend. Good luck, Otters! The Otters host Caledon in their next home game on Friday, December 8.
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