Mooretown Sweeps, OMHA Finals Next

The Mooretown Storm took care of business Friday evening at home beating the Lincoln Blades 4-3 for a 3 game sweep and a giving them a spot in the OMHA Finals.

For the first time this series Mooretown opened the scoring just 29 seconds into the game when Aaron Dobson scored a nice goal by driving the net, Jared Pageau had the assist. Lincoln tied the game at 6:37 of the first only to have the Storm regain the lead 40 seconds later on a Nolan Gladwish goal on a nice feed from Jared Pageau. Mooretown held a 2-1 advantage after the first period.

The Storm extended the lead to 3-1 when Jared Pageau scored an unassisted goal a minute into the 2nd period. The score remained 3-1 after two periods of play.

Jared Pageau scored his second of the game from Aaron Dobson early into the third period to up the lead to 4-1 and the Storm were rolling. Lincoln continued to fight back cutting the lead to 4-2 at the 13:04 mark of the third and then scored again less than 30 seconds later to make it a one goal game with over twelve minutes remaining.

Mooretown would then slam the door, denying the Blades from completing the comeback. Lincoln pulled the goalie with 50 seconds left but were unable to sustain any pressure giving Mooretown the 4-3 victory and sending this remarkable group of players to the OMHA finals.

Emma McCormick got the victory in net on her 11th birthday.

It has been quite a run this team has been on during these playoffs as every kid has contributed to the team's success.

The Storm now await the winner of the Bracebridge/Collingwood series which resumes Saturday with Collingwood leading 2 games to one.

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Storm up two in Series

Mooretown were at home Sunday evening looking to take a 2 games to none lead on the Lincoln Blades. They did just that by playing all out and defeating the visitors 6-2.

Emma McCormick was once again rock solid in net to earn the victory. Like game one Lincoln jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a goal 6 minutes into the period and took that lead into period two.

Mooretown tied it up 2 1/2 minutes into the second frame on a Nolan Gladwish goal from Aaron Dobson and Jared Pageau. It was another goal scored by going hard to the net. Mooretown went ahead 2-1 at 9:17 when Jared Pageau won the draw back to Bailey Smalls who fired a bullet past the goalie. Less than a minute later Nolan Gladwish scored his second of the period for a 3-1 lead with Elijah Contreras and Aaron Dobson assisting. Lincoln cut the gap with a goal at 2:05 of the period only to have Jared Pageau restore the 2 goal cushion scoring with a minute left in the period from Brandon Rondeau and a 4-2 Storm advantage heading into the third period.

Jared Pageau, at the 10:00 minute mark of period 3, scored from Keith Bogaert for a 5-2 Storm lead. Pageau completed the hat trick at 6:58 to put the game out of reach.

It was another fine effort by Mooretown and they must continue to compete as they realize that Lincoln is a very good team and will not quit.

Game #3 goes back in Mooretown Friday evening at 7:10 pm.

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Storm Win Opener

Mooretown travelled thru the snow on Friday night to Lincoln for the  semi final opener in the OMHA Playoffs vs the Linclon Blades. They went by Charter Bus and for many of the kids it was a thrill as they had never been on that type of bus. With the weather conditions it sure made it easier on the parents.

The Storm arrived in Lincoln ready to play as they came out inspired with alot of jump.

Lincoln opened the scoring 1 1/2 mins into the game as a player walked in from the side and roofed a shot over Emma McCormicks shoulder for a 1-0 lead. Mooretown replied at 3:10 of the first on a goal by Rory Pickle with an assist from Jared Pageau. The score was deadlocked 1-1 after one.

Justin Murphy gave Mooretown a 2-1 lead 3 minutes into period two as he scored on a Jared Pageau rebound. It was a great reward for driving hard to the net. Elijah Contreras extended the Storm lead to 3-1 on a beautiful goal while Keith Bogaert and Nolan Gladwish drew assists. Mooretown led 3-1 after two periods.

Lincoln cut the deficit to 3-2 on a goal at the 4:30 mark of the third. The Blades pulled their goalie for the equalizer with a minute remaining but Jared Pageau scored for a 4-2 lead. The Blades kept the goalie off for the extra attacker and this time it paid off as the scored with 17 seconds remaining to make it a 4-3  game. With the goalie still on the bench Jared Pageau took the puck off the face off and scored into the empty ney net to put the game out of reach and a 5-3 Storm victory.

Emma McCormick was rock solid in net and all players contributed to the team victory.

Mooretown is up against a very good Lincoln squad and must keep grinding if they want to be successful in this series.

Mooretown has home ice in the series with game 2 back in Mooretown Sunday Feb. 28 @ 5:20 pm.  Game 3 is also in Mooretown Friday March 5 at 7:10 pm. Game 4 is in Lincoln Saturday March 6 @ 1:00 pm and game 5 in Mooretown Sunday March 7 @ 3:50 pm.

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Mooretown headed to the Semi Finals

The Mooretown Atom Reps are heading to the semi finals of the OMHA Playoffs with a hard fought 1-0 victory over the New Hamburg Huskies Sunday afternoon at the Moore Sports Complex.The Storm came back after trailing the series 2-0 and won the next three games to finish off a remarkable come back.

Emma McCormick was the difference as she turned away every shot she faced. It was a very tight checking affair with both teams playing very defensive.

Jared Pageau scored a PP goal at 9:14 of the second period on a wrist shot from the circle that went over the goalies glove hand. Elijah Contreras assisted on the play.

The play went back and forth the rest of the game as the Huskies never let up and continued to battle for the equalizer but could not beat Emma on this day. Mooretown were outshot and did not have the same jump as the previous 2 games but managed to come away with the victory as the team was willing to give everything they had left in the tank.

It was a hard fought series by two willing combatants. Both teams should be proud of the effort and sportsmanship displayed.

Mooretown now move on to face the Lincoln Blades and hope to continue their quest for an OMHA Championship.

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Storm Even Series

Game 5 goes at home Sunday 3:50 pm

The Mooretown Storm hit the road Saturday afternoon for a game 4 matchup with the New Hamburg Huskies. Mooretown were still trailing the series 2-1 and faced another must win battle.

Mooretown got a huge boost when Elijah Contreras unexpectedly showed up just minutes before the game dressed in his equipment ready to play. He had been attending the Olympic Games in Vancouver with his Mother and Grandmother and was not due to return until Monday. Elijah had heard Mooretown won game #3 and asked his Mom if they could return early to play. They changed their plans and purchased flights from Van. to Toronto and then rented a car and drove to London where they grabbed a motel room at 5am and they got a little sleep and where then met in London by a relative with Elijah's hockey equipment and they proceeded to the game. That is true dedication to the hockey club by Elijah's entire family. It was greatly appreciated by the entire coaching staff and players. Elijah's Mother still had to drive to Detroit to pick up their car as they originally flew from Detro Metro.

The Storm came out flying and took total control of the game with several opportunities but could not beat the Huskies netminder. They continued to dominate but New Hamburg got on the board first scoring at 5:06 of the first and then would come back 2 minutes later with another to give the Huskies a 2-0 lead after a period.

Jared Pageau scored 30 seconds into period #2 to cut the lead to 2-1 but New Hamburg responded a minute later for a 3-1 lead. Right after scoring, half a bank of lights went out in the arena and both teams went to their respective dressing rooms to wait for light to be restored. Mooretown was not dejected by the score as they were dominating the game everywhere but the scoreboard. The break was just what Mooretown needed as they lit the lamp when play resumed.

Jared Pageau, on a nice feed from Aaron Dobson scored to cut the deficit to 3-2. Mooretown came all the way back at the 4:14 mark of period 2 when Jared Pageau scored, from Nolan Gladwish and Bailey Smalls. 10 seconds later Pageau scored his 4th of the game to finally give the Storm the lead 4-3 as the score remained 4-3 entering the third period.

Two and a half minutes into period #3 the Storm grabbed a 2 goal lead when Hayden MacDonald rushed in from the red line and buried a high wrist shot over the goalies glove. Keith Bogaert assisted on the play.

As we have witnessed several times this series the Huskies never quit and they scored at 11:14 to cut the lead to 5-4, but the Storm responded less than 30 seconds later when Jared Pageau scored his 5th goal of the contest and restored Mooretown's two goal cushion. Drew Pepper assisted on the goal. The two teams traded chances the rest of the way and Rory Pickle from Nolan Gladwish put the game away scoring an empty netter as Mooretown would prevail 7-4. Emma McCormick went the distance in net and made some key saves down the stretch.

The two teams battle in Game #5 Sunday in Mooretown at 3:50 pm. The Storm have to continue their hard working ways to complete the comeback as it should be a great battle between two good hockey teams.

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Mooretown Staves off Elimination

The Storm battled hard in game 3 of their quarter final series with the New Hamburg Huskies and skated to a 4-2 home ice decision Tuesday evening at the Moore Sports Complex. Trailing the series two games to none the Storm faced a must win game and stepped up to take it. To make matters worse Mooretown were playing without the services of Elijah Contreras who had the good fortune of attending the Olympics.

Jared Pageau opened the scoring on a hard wrist shot from the top of the circles at 6:54 of the first. The Storm led 1-0 after a period of play.

Jared Pageau upped Mooretown's lead to 2-0 at 12:43 of period two on a nice rush and deke of the goalie. Bailey Smalls gave the Storm a 3-0 lead at 9:31 of the second stanza when he stepped in and intercepted a pass and beat the "D"man and then beat the goalie for a beautiful goal. Mooretown led 3-0 heading into the third frame.

New Hamburg got on the board at the 6:39 mark of the third and then made it 3-2 at 3:40 of period three. Mooretown took a time out to catch their breath and relax. Jared Pageau completed the hat trick scoring a PP goal at 1:12 to put the game away and give Mooretown the 4-2 victory. Assisting on the goal was Nolan Gladwish and Justin Murphy. The first three goals were unassisted. Emma McCormick took the win in net.

The Storm had to really battle as New Hamburg never quits and keeps coming at you for three periods.

In game one of the series played Saturday Feb. 13 in Mooretown the Storm blew a 3-1 lead in the third period and ended up losing 4-3 in OT.

Elijah Contreras, Nolan Gladwish and Jared Pageau did the scoring with Pageau and Keth Bogaert drawing assists. It was a bitter defeat as Mooretown had played outstanding for most of the game but New Hamburg kept on working and eventually won the game. Emma McCormick went the distance in net.

In game two played Sunday Feb. 14 in New Hamburg the Storm were trounced by  a  final score of 8-2. Mooretown fell behind 2-0 then made it 2-1 and came close again at 4-2 but fell apart and were soundly beaten by a hungrier hockey club.

Jared Pageau and Nolan Gladwish scored for Mooretown with Hayden MacDonald, Aaron Dobson and Elijah Contreras getting assists. Emma McCormick and Evan Musson split goaltending duties.

Mooretown now must come out with the same intensity Saturday in New Hamburg if they want to bring the series home for a game 5.

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Mooretown wins Series

The Storm captured the playoff series 2 games to 1 by defeating Dorchester 4-0 at home Saturday afternoon and not allowing a goal on home ice the entire series.

Justin Murphy opened the scoring at 6:12 of the first period on a goal with Jared Pageau assisting. Mooretown would take a 2-0 lead less than a minute later on a goal by Jared Pageau from Aaron Dobson. The Storm led 2-0 after one period of play.

Rory Pickle extended Mooretown's lead to 3-0 less than a minute into period #2 on a nice feed from Elijah Contreras. The score remained 3-0 after two periods.

Nolan Gladwish made it 4-0 on a nifty pass from Jared Pageau with just under 3 minutes left to play. The Storm cruised the rest of the way for a 4-0 shutout victory.

Emma McCormick was rock solid in net making several high light reel saves to earn the shut out victory.

Mooretown now await the winner of the New Hamburg-Tillsonburg series.

Way to go STORM!

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Storm vs Dorchester

  Mooretown opened their series with Dorchester at home Saturday and skated away with a well earned 3-0 victory. Elijah Contreras opened the scoring in the first period on a nice goal assisted by Rory Pickle. The score remained 1-0 until the 3rd when the Storm salted the game away with an Aaron Dobson goal from Jared Pageau and then a 3-0 lead from Jared Pageau that went unassisted. The Storm played a very solid defensive game while only allowing six shots on goal. Emma McCormick earned the shut out.  

   The Atoms travelled to Dorchester Sunday to try and end this series in two games but knew it would be a tough task . Mooretown came out flying taking the play to Dorchester for the first minutes of the game until they came down and scored a weak goal from the top of the circles.  The biggest head scratcher occurred in the 2nd period with Mooretown trailing 2-0, the Storm as usual were short handed and as the player was about to exit the penalty box the puck was shot the length of the ice but the Dorchester goaltender came out to play the puck above the goal line. As he played it he fell and lost the puck as the Mooretown player grabbed it and not a defender within 20 feet and as he picked it up and skated to score the ref's blew the whistle. There was no icing signalled by any ref. There was no way it was icing as the goalie played in front of the red goal line and Mooretown was also short handed. Mooretown's Head Coach received a bench penalty for questioning the call and Dorchester went out and scored to make it 3-0 after two periods.  Dorchester would add another power play goal in the first minute of the 3rd to take a strangle hold 4-0.  With 4 1/2 minutes left in the game Mooretown went on a PP and then a 2 man advantage 10 seconds later. They pulled the goalie at the 4:15 mark to go 6 on 3. The Storm scored at 3:39 from Rory Pickle and Elijah Contreras assisting to make it 4-1. They remained on the PP and kept the goalie out for a 6 on 4 attack and scored again a minute later with Elijah Contreras scoring from Justin Murphy and Jared Pageau. With 2:37 remaining and still down by two goals Mooretown kept the goalie on the bench and went 6 on 5 and scored at 2:06 with a Jared Pageau goal from Elijah Contreras to cut the deficit to one goal. The goalie was put back in net for the face off and the Storm needed to get the puck deep to get the extra attacker. With just over a minute remaining the Storm got the puck in the defenders zone and on came the extra attacker and the Storm buzzing to tie it up. 

 The Storm did everything but score and Dorchester iced the puck with what would have been 5 seconds left on the clock but the play was not called for some strange reason and the game ended. The Storm should hold their heads high as they battled hard and will be ready to come home and try and pull this series out.

 Another strange occurrence was that the scoreboard could only put the Dorchester penalty time and goals up but not the Mooretown penalties or goals. Very strange indeed.

It was a good lesson learned that you have to keep fighting in the face of adversity. You have no control over calls and must continue to battle.

 Mooretown comes home for the 3rd and deciding game Saturday at 1:50 pm at the Moore Sports Complex.

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