Another season is underway. The preseason is complete and the regular season begins for some teams this week! The Atoms reached the finals in the Pat
Larock Memorial Tournament in Peterborough, and the minor midgets reached the playoffs in the Titans Tournament.
Quinte Red Devils Weekly Report – Sunday September 13, 2015
Bonn Law - Atom
The Bonn Law Major Atom Quinte Red Devils participated in the Pat Larock Memorial Tournament in Peterborough this weekend, where they lost a heart breaker in OT of the Championship game to the Hamilton Huskies. The Devils were undefeated in the tournament heading into the final game, playing some impressive hockey along the way. On Friday the team opened the tournament with a 3-1 win over the North York Rangers and skated to a 3-3 tie with the Elgin Middlesex Chiefs. On Saturday, the Devils defeated the Grey Brue Highlanders 7-3 and finished off the day with an 8-2 win over the Cambridge Hawks. Four of the sixteen teams advanced to the semi-finals on Sunday, and the Red Devils brought their “A Game” on their way to defeating the Ajax-Pickering Raiders 8-0. The Devils would face the Hamilton Huskies in the tournament championship game. Both teams skated hard and exchanged chances along the way. The game ended in a 1-1 tie, and was headed into three on three overtime. The Huskies were given a power play less than one minute into the overtime period, and ended the game shortly thereafter. The Red Devils have a lot to be proud of, after a great weekend of hockey in their first tournament of the season.
KKP Kwik Kopy Printing – Minor Midgets
Every year for the Minor Midget teams the Toronto Titan's Prospect Tournament represents the first true test of the hockey year. This year there were 50 of the best teams in the 2000 age group with the Devil's facing teams from the Greater Toronto Hockey League, US Hockey, and the South Central Triple A.
Game 1
The KKP Minor Midgets opened their Toronto Titans Prospect Tournament with a solid #TeamFirst 3-0 win over the North York Rangers of the GTHL. It was shared scoring again for the team with three goals by three different shooters. The most significant victory within the game however was the Devil's brand of team defense hockey giving their tournament campaign a win and more importantly a shutout. Scoring for the Devil's were Nate Boomhower with a helper from Madoka Suzuki. The Devils would double their damage by adding two more. Dawson Baker added his first of the campaign with assists going to Madoka for the second time and Hunter Leonard. The final goal was scored on a pass from Matt Sherwin and neatly deposited by Nate Dunkley. Evan Morrison picked up a deserved shutout turning aside all that came at him. Like the rest of the preseason the Devil's work ethic and #TeamFirst mentality allowed them to battle through adversity and ultimately come out on top!
Game 2
The second game was against the Buffalo Jr. Sabres. The battle seemed to be going in the Devil's direction with a show-stopping goal by Hunter Leonard (from a Malcolm Warren helper) at the halfway mark in the first. The tables turned however when late in the second a Sabre drew blood ripping a shot bar-south and less than a minute later a near-post-and-in found its mark taking the game to a 2-1 tally in favour of Buffalo. Although Pierce Nelson, playing big, denied every subsequent effort the third and final goal came with the net-minding duties vacant in favour of an extra attacker. With lunch, rest, and game prep done the Devils returned to the Scotiabank Pond for their third game.
Game 3
With some bad puck luck the Devils were down by one heading into the second. Matt Sherwin with help from Nate Dunkley evened up the score and sent the game in the right direction. The rest of the game was a skilled, physical tete-a-tete between the two clubs until a late match penalty put the Devils down a defenceman for the remainder of the game. In a must win game and with only 4 players to Oakville's five the Devils whittled down the penalty and the game to the 1:50 mark. With an offensive face-off Evan Morrison was called to the bench and the team buckled down. Morrison regularly flashing the leather to keep the game tied sprinted to the bench releasing the Devils fifth attacker. A poised, relentless attack saw shots hurled toward the Rangers net with one finally finding its mark on a Dawson Baker shot, expertly tipped home by Nate Dunkley. With 17.6 seconds left on the clock the Devils downed the Rangers and propelled themselves to 2-1-0 going into the last game of the round robin. They would face Detroit's Little Caesars with a ticket to the Round of 'Sweet Sixteen on the line.
Game 4
Many of the American teams that the Devils face in tournaments are not 'club' or regular league teams instead they are a collection of the best in the city or state that they reside. It was clear from the beginning of the game that the Caesars were individually skilled but it was the Gentlemen Devils #TeamFirst mentality that won this game. Dawson Baker led the charge with a goal and an assist with Nate Dunkley scoring the other goal in the game. Helpers came from Nick Zarichny, Hunter Leonard and Malcolm Warren. This win was the most important of the Tournament giving them a berth in the playoff round.
'Sweet Sixteen'
In summary: the Devils came up short. The real story however is when the Men in Black were in tough they showed character, tenacity and great promise for a season that hasn't even started. This season's motto is #TeamFirst and the KKP Quinte Red Devil Minor Midgets proved when they play as a team they are among the best of the best.
The Devils drew the Toronto Marlboros who were the number 2 ranked team in the province. The Marlies are a skilled club and they displayed that skill throughout the game. The Devils, however, showed that they have more than enough compete level. They played with speed and nearly perfected their #TeamFirst whole team-defense style of hockey and showed they have all the makings of a great hockey club.
Evan Morrison was equal to the task this game turning aside all but two attacks. Both goals by the Marlies were goal-mouth scrambles and unfortunately were the difference in the game. The lone goal was scored by Quinte was tucked home by Matt Sherwin on a beautiful pass by Nate Dunkley.
Stay tuned for the regular season when the Devils kick off the season with their home opener this Saturday September 19th versus the Peterborough Petes at the Family Dental Centre - QSWC. For a more in depth look at the team visit quintedevils.com and click on Minor Midget. Also you can keep up to date on Twitter @MMidgetDevils.
McInroy-Maines Construction – Midget
Anthony Bertucca was perfect in a 4-0 pre-season road win in Whitby last Thursday night. The McInroy Maines Major Midget Devils played a smart, poised game and came out on top. Timely saves and timely goals were the key to this victory with spectacular defensive play from a variety of sources. Nick Hoey found the net with a snap shot from the top of the circle that fooled the Whitby goaltender from Brock Bronson. Shortly after, Bronson found the net himself on a nifty pass across from Ryan Fraser. In the second period, Fraser was the recipient of some great work in front of the night as he potted a goal from Mack Warren and Tim Morton. The fourth goal was a passing play from the line of Sheppard, Hoey and Rienstra with Rienstra finishing the play with a hard one timer that found the mesh.
Earlier on the Labour Day weekend the team had two wins against Peterborough.Saturday September 5th ended with a 4-2 score with Nick Hoey, Mack Warren, Dawson Ellis and Domenic Della Civita, finding the back for the net. Tim Morton, Billy Finney, and Greg Powels had helpers. Anthony Bertucca stood tall in the cage and took the win.
Sunday back in Peterborough the score was 3-1 with Ellis, Greg Thomas, and Brandon Forestell (empty net) finding the score sheet. Zach Harris, Shelby Rienstra and Ryan Fraser picked up assists with Sean Storr denying all but one Peterborough shot.
It is turning out to be a very competitive training camp with the roster very close to where the coaching staff wants it to be. Sean Storr and Anthony Bertucca will back stop the program this year with Mack Warren, and Colin Vandenhurk returning from their respective OHL camps to anchor the blue line. Rounding out the defence is Domenic Della Civita, Marc Thiffault, Billy Finney and Greg Powles with recently acquired Tim Morton seeing time on forward and defence.
Up front the picture is not quite as clear as Nick Hoey, Tanner Sheppard, Ryan Fraser, Brandon Forestell, Shelby Rienstra, Brock Bronson, and Dawson Ellis have solidified spots on the roster so far.
The final exhibition game with go on Saturday September 12, 7:15 at the Yardman Arena. Come out and support your new look Major Midget Devils. Bulls nights have turned into Devils nights in Belleville at the Yardman Arena.
Devils Dirt- The first regular season game of the 2015-16 season goes on September 18, 8:00 at the RCAF Arena when the Oshawa Generals come to town.
Madison Excavating – Minor Atom
The Madison Excavating Minor Atom Red Devils travelled this past weekend to Toronto for the Marlboros International Friendship Tournament. The team met some tough competition in their pool. Facing the Brantford 99ers on Friday, the Minor Atoms opened the scoring in the first with an unassisted goal by Nolan Donnelly. The team added to take a 2-0 lead early in the second by Donnelly again, assisted by Brody Partridge and Kirk Stevenson. The 99ers got on the scoreboard late in the second with a goal. The Devils continued to work hard but the 99ers battled back in the 3rd and scored a few quick goals to take the lead. Landon Wright, assisted by Ryland Murray, added another for the Devils late in the 3rd but it was too late to regain their lead – the Devils lost 5-3. Dean Spry was solid in net. Next game on Friday the Minor Atoms sent the Niagara North Stars to a strong defeat beating the North Stars 9-2. Glenn McInnes was solid between the pipes. Goals went to Donnelly, Jared Langdon, Gage Butcher (3), Liam Philip(3), Partridge. Assists went to Ty McCambridge, Partridge(2), Langdon(2), Carson Campbell, Philip(2), Stevenson(2) and Wright. Saturday’s line ups were tough – the Madison Excavating Minor Atoms met the Don Mills Flyers in the morning with a loss of 7-1. Goal went to Wright, assisted by Thomas Kuipers. In the afternoon they faced the strong Toronto Jr. Canadiens – the Devils were held off the scoreboard but put up a good fight. Other team members include; Braedyn Rogers, Deacon Ellis, Ben Vreugdenhil and Isaac Krentz. The Madison Excavating Minor Atom Red Devils begin their regular season in Barrie versus the Colts on September 26th