Young guns beat the old dudes in a sneaker squeaker

Hawks Alumni Hoops game features familial rivalries

By Terrance Gavan - Haliburton, Ontario - CDA

   We know the score.

Terry Gavan - Voice Sports / Pardon the Eruption website and blogs.

   But we hid the scoresheet.

   Yes the annual All-Hawks-Hoops-Alumni Game played out to a familiar theme in the Hawks Nest last Thursday afternoon.

   The young runs beat the old guns 49-41 in the final Red Hawk game of any kind in 2009.

   The Alumni came strong but in the end it may have been a case of too much run and not enough defbrulator on the old alums bench.

   “I honestly couldn’t tell you who scored what,” said current Hal High coach Roland Zilla, who sweat it out through a first half played to a dead stall.

   In the end the young Hawks just managed to scurry by in a game earmarked by some stellar play from both sides.

   And that’s just the way an alumni encounter should go.

   Lay down the egos at the gym door.

   Set the personal stats aside.

A kid named Rudy, a kid named Sam - and a big wide O!

Gav on Sports

By Terry Gavan - Haliburton, ON, CDA

   In my daily trek – up at 4:30 am updating my website and blogs – I find funny; I find drama; I find disappointment; I find satire; and I find… life.

   Because every day I trip over a beautiful story. And every day I am elevated to a place – a spot where all the detritus of cruelty, injustice, and a harsh world melt in the warm afterglow of humanity.

   And this Christmas I found that story – written by Boston.com columnist Yvonne Abraham – a story about Sammy and Rudy, dissimilar in all outward details save one: they are young boys; ergo they feel, they crave human contact… and they love.

   “On Tuesday night, Patty and Rick Parker were in their cramped kitchen with their 8-year-old son Ben. Dinner was over,” writes Abraham. “Bedtime was near. Ben’s twin brother, Sammy, lay on a cot in the narrow hallway just outside the kitchen. Unable to see or speak or control his limbs, he coughed or let out a little moan every now and then. Rick and Patty took turns feeding Sammy, who has cerebral palsy, through a stomach tube. He cooed when they kissed his face or stroked his cheek, and when they cooed back, he opened his mouth into a wide, joyful O.

   “A few feet away was the narrow, winding stairway that is the family’s biggest burden lately.

   “Which is where 17-year-old Rudy’s simple, life-changing act of kindness comes in.

   “Until recently, Rick carried Sammy up those 14 stairs to his bedroom each night. But a few months ago, Rick had major surgery for a life-threatening heart condition, and now he can’t lift much at all, let alone a 75-pound child.”

   “We thought Rick was going to die, and we were terrified,’’ Patty recalled. “We knew right away he had to stop carrying Sam.’’

   “Patty couldn’t carry him, either. Desperate, she called her pediatrician, who put her in touch with Elizabeth Paquette, the nurse at Malden Catholic High School. Paquette said she’d take care of it. The boys at Malden Catholic are taught to embrace service: She’d find plenty of students to help.”

   And that’s when Sammy welcomed Rudy Favard - the son of Haitian immigrants, an honor roll student, linebacker and co-captain of the Malden football team – into his life. Rudy is being courted by several colleges and will be off at the end of the June semester. By that time the Parkers hope to be relocated into new digs without those daunting stairs.

   But for now, two days before Christmas, the Parkers are very happy that Rudy fell into their lives. A picture accompanies the Boston.com piece. It shows a strapping black football player carrying Sammy up those narrow stairs. Sammy’s mouth in that wide O. A human justapposition. Two boys at Christmas. And those goddam mushy neurons.

   It’s a powerful photo, and perhaps one that should be distributed to all those stupid, stupid politicians in Washington. You know the ones. The ones who like big fences and a lily-whiter America. Those bitter shrews who say immigrants are taking American jobs. Immigrants like Rudy and his family.

   Rick Parker cried on that first night. The night Rudy came into their lives. “Just to see this outpouring of people,’’ Rick Parker said, his eyes welling at the memory. “To see that these people were willing to put their hands and feet to what they believed.’’

Duchene gets two gifts for Christmas

Hockey Hot stove - Stanley Cup, Scotty Morrison and Hodgson

BY Terrance Gavan

   “All I want for Christmas is my two linemates, one to feed and one to skate …

   “Gee if I only  had my two linemates… I could wish you a Merry Christmas.”

    Well Matthew Duchene, Haliburton’s Hurricane, got his wish this Christmas.

   First his Colorado Avs made a trade for Washington’s Tomas Fleischman, and then Milan Hejduk returned from injury.

   Both ended up on a line with Duchene.

   And the Avs, despite a couple of setbacks after a six game unbeaten string, seem to be finding some magic with the MTM connection.

   Duchene scored two goals in a 4-3 overtime loss to Detroit, the current NHL Western League leaders.

   The pair of goals has Duchene leading the Avs in scoring and is keeping the quick-handed center on a torrid point-per-game pace. The Hurricane has 36 points (15 goals and 21 assists) in 36 games. Hejduk has 11 goals and 21 assists and Fleischman has 9 goals and 12 assists. Duchene is also seeing lots of time on the power play.

   The Avs have lost three straight but hope to stop the bleeding tonight (Thursday) versus the Oilers in Edmonton. The Avs play a New Years Eve game against Calgary and then return to the Pepsi Centre for a crucial Northwest Division game against the Sundin travelling road show also known as the Vancouver Canucks.

   Duchene earned Avalanche Play of the Week honors for the third time in four weeks, this time for his overtime heroics against the Ottawa Senators on Dec. 17.
   Duchene's overtime winner against Ottawa – garnering a boffo 58 percent -  topped the fan balloting for goal of the week.

   Meanwhile, I sense some Haliburton Highlands input while perusing the NHLs list of All-Star balloting.

   Duchene is a write-in candidate and has 14,492 votes. I have no idea about the rules, but I’m thinking that fans would have to get very busy on the net in order to pump Dutchy’s  numbers to Sidney Crosby, (523,822), Jonathan Toews (308,192), Evgeni Malkin (289,878) or Steven Stamkos (269,917) numbers.

   Maybe next year.

Hodgson timetable still way up in the clouds

   In spite of a facial injury that keeps the high-flying Haliburton cottager grounded, Cody Hodgson is still the top goal getter for the AHLs Manitoba Moose.

   Hodgson has 10 goals and six assists in 24 games this season, and the team is anticipating a return to action without surgery on the orbital bone, but that return to the dance is still being monitored.

   It’s frustrating for Winnipeg fans who have been watching young guns “drop like flies” according to Winnipeg Free Press writer Tim Campbell.

   “Teammates can’t believe their bad luck. Fans will no doubt be feeling shortchanged. The Vancouver Canucks will be more than disappointed about more interruptions to the development of young prospects.

Young Manitoba Moose stars Cody Hodgson and Jordan Schroeder are likely lost to the team for six weeks, give or take.”

   So not an ideal Christmas for young Hodgson. Still anticipating a call-up to the Canucks this year. Maybe the playoffs?

Hot Stove and Stanley Cup here for Winterfest in February

   Hockey Night in Haliburton Star-studded Panel Announced on the Winterfest 2011 senior games website.

   The Winterfest 2011 Games Organizing Committee announces last week that Haliburton Hockey legends will be partaking in an open-panel discussion at the Northern Lights Theatre on Wednesday February 16th, 2011.

   Confirmed hockey legends include Scotty Morrision, Walt McKechnie, Glen Sharpley and many more still to be announced.

   Also present that evening will be the Stanley Cup as well as a “very special guest” who is arguably the face of Canadian hockey.

   I’m guessing Don Cherry, but stay tuned.

   The Gav will sniff it out by next week. 

Masters Racing legend Lou Fenninger skis, talks and waxes - philosophical

Fenninger ready for Senior Games and Winterfest alpine challenge

By Terry Gavan

Sweet Lou on the lift.

   I was asked once to describe my friend – ersatz confidante, and ski tuner - Lou Fenninger.

   In one word.

   “Peripatetic,” I said, without a blink of hesitation.

   Then I said, “Whoa… wait. Let’s see if that’s the word I want.” Gav-speak for: I hope I didn’t call ol’ Lou a crank; or wide-browed member of a Neanderthal tribe.

   Looked it up: “Of or relating to the teachings of the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384-322 BC), who used to teach philosophy while walking about the Lyceum in ancient Athens.”

   Bam. Perfect. Lou.

   Fenninger, 64, walks around. A lot. And when he’s not howling like a wolf, or barking like a dog – these Aristotelian metaphysical ticks are logged deferentially in Kitty Kelly’s biography “Aristotle – And His Big Fat Greek Philosophy” – you may glean keen insight from Lou Fenninger; his life; and his passions.

   Lou Fenninger is not a big fan of status quo; or mucky inertia; or the wallowing detritus of a life less lived.

   He moves ahead, takes on problems in racing and life with fall line demeanor. My old ski school director Jeff Bartlett told me once: “You can learn a lot from Lou.”

   He wasn’t talking about skiing.

   Although you can learn about that too, from Sweet Lou.

   Talking, walking, tuning, and waxing.

   In the course of a rambling hour-long interview we traipsed around the workshop attached to Lou and Marianne Fenninger’s modest four-season bungalow, just a 30-second scamper from Sir Sam’s Ski Chalet. They share it with a passel of daughters that I could name but you’ll see their names often enough this year as we list race winners and Queen of the Hill finishers. Okay: Andrea, Erin, Victoria - who is already a member of the Women’s National Master’s Team - and Alex. Both Erin and Victoria have done the Peak to Valley Race in Whistler.

   We chat, or Lou chats, and I chase, tape recorder on rapid scatter.

   He tunes, sells a pair of Atomic skis to some long time friends, and scrapes wax off a new pair of 155 Atomic slalom gunners.

   Lou is modest, or as modest as one can get while listing a string of eye-popping skiing accomplishments. Since falling in love with skiing in 1991, Fenninger continues to explore the nuance and the beauty of ski racing.

   He’s been a mentor to hundreds of young skiers at Sir Sam’s.

Weekly Round up Hal High Sports

Judi Paul's Class Report

Girls celebrate first goal and win in the Dysart Barn.
 Photo Terrance.

Monday,  December 20
The senior girls’ volleyball team travelled to Lindsay where they
competed against Fenelon, Weldon, LCVI and St. Thomas.  The girls played
hard and managed to split a set with Fenelon and St. Thomas.
Tuesday, December 21
The Men’s Red Hawk Hockey team played their second game of the week,
defeating Lakefield by a score of 9-0 after battling Fenelon Falls to a
5-3 score earlier in the week.  The two wins place the Hawks in first
place in the Kawartha standings, with a 6 and 0 record.
Volleyball
The junior girls’ volleyball team travelled to Fenelon Falls for a
5-game tournament where an awesome performance led to victories against
St. Thomas and Triple A I.E. Weldon.
Snowboarding
The snowboarding team took part in timed trials where the top three girls
were Holly Wu, Jessica Bishop, and Kayla Gardiner.  Top three boys were
Greg Foster, Kevin Brand, and Mackenzie Robinson.
Hawks Hockey
The Lady Hawks Hawkey team played an exhibition game against Gravenhurst
where they dominated play and emerged with an uncontested win.   

Hockey Hawks win Gold at American Cup Tourney in Lake Placid

Stretch unbeaten streak with wins over Fenelon/ Lakefield

By Terrance Gavan

The last time Ron Yake took a Hal High hockey team to Lake Placid was 1993.

   Coincidentally most of the players on this year’s Red Hawks hockey team were born in and around 1993-94.

Goalie Zach Harrison and Defenceman Zach Boice cover
the puck in the slot. Photo by Terrance Gavan

   Now, maybe Ron Yake told his current Red Hawks team what the class of ’93-94 did in Lake Placid; back when the current crop of shinny Hawks were being dropped willy-nilly and diaper-clad onto the bumpy Highlands countryside by a squadron of storks.

   And maybe he didn’t.

   But the latter day Hawks are a pretty canny bunch, and I’m sure that before they left by bus for Lake Placid last Thursday, someone looked it up.

   And found out that yes, the 1993 Red Hawks had won the 1993 Lake Placid tourney.

   So last weekend – Dec 17-19 - the current version of the hockey Hawks did the only thing they could do really. They upheld 17 years of pressure, pride and tradition.

   They popped the cork and brought that Anerican Cup back home to Haliburton.

   The Hawks stayed undefeated in round robin play on Friday and Saturday, before defeating Vincent Massey (Brandon, Manitoba) 5-0 in the American Cup Tournament final on Sunday morning.

   Big trip and a lotta’ games.

   Now if that ain’t enough. The Hawks grabbed their medals, a picture or two, and charged onto the bus Sunday afternoon for the seven hour trip back to Haliburton.

   They caught some sleep, went to class on Monday, ate some supper, and headed out onto the Dysart Barn ice for a league encounter against Fenelon Falls on Monday evening.

   The Hawks led 3-1 after one, 4-1 after two periods and stretched that lead to 5-1 midway through the third before surrendering two goals with a minute left in the third period.

  Yake was not overly concerned about that last minute breakdown.

Hawks girls head to Christmas break on a high after 14-0 exhibition win

This is a very good team

The girls hockey team is on a rip. Photo by Terrance

By Terrance Gavan

   The King’s Speech is out in a movie theater near you.

   It’s all about King George VI, his speech impediment and how he overcame it with the help of a loopy speech pathologist and some wild and wacky oral gymnastics. “Rubber baby buggy bumpers anyone?”

   Ah too bad women’s hockey was not in vogue back in 1939.

   We might have cured old Prince Albert’s stammer on a Tuesday afternoon, if we shoved him in the Dysart Barn’s scorer’s box  with a microphone and told him to announce every goal with an alliterate wiggle: “She shoots, she scores!”

   Last Tuesday the Hawks beat Gravenhurst High School 14-0 in a friendly exhibition that might have cured or killed the once and future King.

   There ya’ go Albert. Now go have at it with Hitler and those bloody Nazis.

   Lest we get too involved with the lopsided numbers, we should keep in mind that Gravenhurst came to the fray a little undermanned, and co-coach Vince Duchene asked the girls to pass the puck – a lot. And they did. But there was an almost embarrassing discrepancy between the two teams. These Hawks are almost scary good – and getting better - in their inaugural season of Kawartha Hockey League action.

   Thankfully the scorers stalled the clock at 5-0 for the duration of the game.

   Co-coach and Hal High boss Dan Marsden was forced to borrow skates and an orange whistle because the zebras didn’t show.

Hal High hosts wrestling tourney

Honing fine edges in prep for Kawarthas in February

Mike Mazara locks down an opponent. Great day of wrestling
at the Hawks Nest. Photo by Terrance Gavan

By terrance Gavan

Call it a trial run.

   Hal High wrestlers got a chance to hone their skills and perfect traps, holds and takedowns last Thursday, right here at the Hawks’ Nest.

   Close to 250 wrestlers from area schools participated in the large event.

   The organization of the tourney put a stifling leg-lock on Red Hawk coaches Paul Klose and Dan Faulkner, who were so busy running around monitoring action on four mats, that they had only spurts of time to spend with their athletes.

   A necessary part of the process and Klose said that it was a useful exercise alerting them to what they’ll be facing while hosting the Kawartha Championships on Feb 11.  

   “Mike Mazara wrestled well, as did Maia O'Sullivan,” said Klose. “Overall the team had a successful day. We are still working on improving technique in preparation for the Kawartha Championships.”
Red Hawk Results:
Girls
Gold Medalists - Lily Coneybeare (64 kg), Kayla Gardiner (44 kg), Tara
O'Sullivan (57.5 kg)
Silver Medalists - Megan Tompos (UNL), Bailey Walker (51 kg)
Bronze Medalists - Taylor Dair (UNL), Maia O'Sullivan (54 kg)
Boys
Gold Medalists - Cody Cox (54 kg), Riley Tait (77 kg)
Silver Medalists - Mike Mazara (54 kg), Gage Shelly (61 kg), Tom Paul (64
kg)
Bronze Medalists - Greg Baumgartner (72 kg)

Junior hoopsters split a pair

Junior Hawks lose to Weldon win in Gravenhurst

Add caption

By Terrance Gavan

Hal High junior hoopsters are wink-quick and they anticipate well.

   Attributes deftly molded to the transition game.

   Guard pressures ball, guard steals ball and guard finds open man on fast break.

   Easy peasey if ya’ got da’ horses.

   Last Wednesday, in the opening game of a doubleheader at the Hawk’s Nest versus the perennially strong Weldon Wildcats, the junior Hawks dropped a very close 40-36 encounter- but they also proved they’ve got the counterpunching wherewithal to go a long way this year..

   The loss dropped the Hawks Kawartha League record to 1-4, but don’t let the paucity of that stat fool you.

   According to coach Paul Longo, the record could just as easily be 3-2.

   “We’ve had some close losses so far, and I don’t see any one team running away with it this year,” said Longo via phone on Monday evening. That knowledge has his Hawks pretty juked about the possibilities.

   The Hawks travelled to Gravenhurst for an exhibition on Friday (Dec 17) and the club won that contest 38-25.

Senior Hoops Hawks patient in Wildcat loss - win big in Gravenhurst

“Now they got something to think about,” says Zilla

Luke Watson struggles against Fenelon for
room in the paint. Photo by Terrance Gavan.

By terrance Gavan

The IE Weldon Wildcat Hoop Cats are formidable, daunting, and deep.

   They play tough man to man and can scurry to a fronting zone when necessary.

   Hal High coach Roland Zilla knows what to expect when his squad settles in against that Lindsay institution.

   In fact, Zilla said in a post-game scrum after a league game versus Brock last Tuesday (Dec 14), “if we can hold them (Weldon) under fifty tomorrow, we’ve got a good chance.”

   And on Wednesday the 3-1 Hawks sallied forth against the 4-0 Cats knowing one thing: live by the run and die by the gun; the gun in this case: the Wildcats’ withering fast break.

   The Hawks lost 41-32, but may have won a strategic battle of wills.

   Hal High silenced an explosive team that - until last week’s trip to the Hawk’s Nest - had been bopping Kawartha opposition on their collective noggins. The Wildcats ran right over Brock Bulldogs by 50 plus in an earlier league game.

Duchene chosen player of the week

Haliburton pro sports updates

By Terrance Gavan

Duchene leads the Avs in scoring. After winning six straight
the Avs have lost two in a row.

Haliburton’s Matthew Duchene is on a post-rookie tear that will now presumably put the lumbering hints of a sophomore jinx to bed forever.

   This week the NHL named new Colorado linemates Matty Duchene and Tomas Fleishman the number one and two stars of the week. Eric Staal was named the third star of the week in the same balloting.

   Duchene is rewarded with the number one sport on the basis of his League-leading seven points (four goals, three assists) last week, highlighted by a pair of game-winning goals.

   Dutchy’s new linemate Tomas Fleishman notched an identical four goals and three assists to clinch the second spot honors.

   The Avalanche (19-10-4) extended their winning streak to six games and reclaimed first place in the Northwest Division during that scoring spree.

Hawks senior hoopsters win home opener

Senior Hoops Hawks feather the Nest in home opener

By terrance Gavan

Luke Watson is taking his victory lap this season.

   And Hal High coach Roland Zilla is pretty happy that Watson, a power forward with a handsome touch and strong inside game, chose to stay for his cohort year.

   Watson was a dominant presence for the Red Hawks senior club last season and he returns to the Hawks, a year wiser and a season smarter.

   Watson remains a hellzapoppin’ firecracker; a game-changer with game.

   Last Tuesday in the Hawks’ home opener, Lanky Luke scored 20 points to lead all scorers in a convincing 43-22 victory over Brock High School.

   Shooting guard Jesse Walker and pivot man Jesse Lefebvre each added six points to the cause.

   Chris Allison, Caleb Zilla and Damon Flatman took turns feeding the beast as Watson prowled the paint and outer edges of the Brock zone, scoring at will.

   “Watson is a solid player, but he can still play better,” said Zilla after the game. “We’d still like him to go up a bit stronger, but he really played well out there today. “

   The win moves the Hawks seasonal tout to 3-1, but that record was challenged on Wednesday when the class of the Kawartha league Lindsay’s I.E. Weldon comes to visit. (Results from that game will be in next week’s Voice.)

   Zilla said that Weldon – with a league-leading 4-0 record – remains the team to beat, a triple A threat with depth..

   “Weldon beat Brock by 50 points, and they have 12 athletes that can all play,” said Zilla.

   Zilla said that one of his team’s strengths is the ability to rise to occasion.

   A trait that will certainly come in handy as the Hawks attempt to deal with the Weldon juggernaut.

   Sitting in the stands watching the junior Hawks play out the doubleheader against Brock, Zilla was already planning for the Weldon game.

   He said the key to beating the Wildcats is ball control.

   Play run and gun with the long bench and quick transition game will only lead to trouble.

   “We plan to play a strong half court game,” said Zilla. “Our skill level always rises when we play Weldon and last season we were the only team to challenge Weldon all year.

   “So we’re going to try again, a good half court game and see what we can do. If we can hold them to under 50 we’ve done a great job and we’ll have a chance at beating them.”

   Zilla, who plans on retiring from the hardwood wars next season, is assisted this year by retired coach and teacher Walter Tose and newcomer Dave Waito.

   Waito brings a brand new set of eyes to the mix and he’s impressed.

   “I was really happy with how Luke was a little more assertive going to the hole today,” said Waito. “he’s certainly a guy that we can rely on for a good chunk of our offense through the year if he has that mindset to take the ball to the hoop. Lefebvre is pulling down our boards quite consistently and Allison… we’d like to see a little more production out of him, getting the shots to drop but that’ll come.”

   The annual red Hawk alumni game is slated for Thursday afternoon, Dec 23. Yours truly will be blowing one of the whistles, creaking up and down the hardwood and taking no prisoners.

Twitter @terrancegavan. Email - gav@pardontheeruption.com.

Openeing Day at Sir Sam's

Sir Sam’s schusses into ski season

By terrance Gavan

Some Highlands’ chiropractors may be staring at a diminishing client base and bottom line this winter.

   Many aging ski and snowboard instructors, moms and dads, and grandpas and grandmas could be eschewing the bone cruncher this winter - all because of a new Italian-designed people mover.

   No more stooping over four-year-old Junior or Duchess on the old backbreaking handle tow.

   No more stooping to pick Junior or Duchess out of harm’s way after another fall off the old rope midway into the journey.

   Of course bad news for the back crunchers means good news for beginner skiers and boarders at Sir Sam’s popular Ski Area.

   One tired old board and ski instructor took a ride up the new lift last Saturday on opening day, Saturday Dec 11.

   Elton John was playing in the plexiglass tunnel and the ride up the moving rubber sidewalk was seamless.

   In this newest version of the old “magic-Carpet” skiers simply walk on until skis engage and then ride up until the rubber delivers the skis to a snowbound exit jetty.

   Boarders are asked to keep one foot strapped to the board with the back foot out. The ejectory progression is just as simple with the boarders simply sliding off the moving rail and onto the snowy platform.

   Stage one of the lift delivers clients to lower Cash Register or the Bunny Hill, both terrains excellent for beginner classes.

   Ski School director Dave Webb is ecstatic about the new options and he’s pretty confident that the lift will provide Sir Sam’s with access to less frustrating lesson plans.

   Beginner snowboarders and young skiers often found the handle tow unwieldy and difficult.

   The new lift’s purpose is twofold.

   It gives easy access to usable terrain and it also moves people to the top of the hill very quickly.

   It replaces the old rope two and the aging T-bar and once stage two of the lift is reay, it will also give increased access to the front side runs like Banana and Lovers Lane.

   Last Saturday the reviews were great.

   Especially for the younger set who will be using the lift for easy access to terrain fixtures, rails and jumps.

   It will also facilitate access during race days and snowboard and ski-cross events on the Banana Run.

   The resort open for it’s Christmas schedule on Saturday December 18 and it’s open every day (except Christmas) until  to Sunday January 9.

   After that the ski area is open Wednesday to Sunday every week.

   Manager Chris Bishop says that the resort will be offering a number of great deals on opening week.

   “We’re opening with pre-Christmas 50 percent savings for our guests,” says Bishop.  The deals apply to lift Tickets, daily lessons, ski &and snowboard rentals from Dec. 18-24.

   Webb suggests that parents interested in the Christmas kids development camps should probably get in touch with the ski school ASAP.

   Webb says the school is running a five day camp for kids and beginners – all ages and categories – from Dec 27 to January 1.

   Webb added that the hill and ski school is also preparing for the Winterfest Senior Games in February. The hill will play host to the seniors slalom events.

   The Sir Sam’s Ski Challenge registration is slated for Saturday, Jan 7 and the season’s first race happens on Sunday, Jan. 8.

   Forecast is calling for a lot of snow just in time for the Christmas week opening on Saturday.

Find Sir Sam’s sirsams.com or phone at 705-754-2298.

Hawks Hockey? She shoots, she scores!

Girls and guys hockey seasons commingle

Terrance gavan - Voice Sports - editor Hal Sport’s pages

Jillian Mayhew played superbly in a home opening 5-3
victory over Adam Scott at Dysart Arena. Gav Photo

Exploring possibilities.

This year the NHL Hall of Fame did just that when they named two women - Angela Davis and Cammie Granato - to the Hall of Fame.

Big step.

Hearkening on that seminal event, movers and shakers at Haliburton Highlands Secondary this year embarked on a much anticipated and long awaited journey.

Young women in our local high school now have a "league of their own."
Hal High entered its first team in the Kawartha Girls Hockey League back in September.

Last Wednesday afternoon the girls won their inaugural home opener 5-3 against the visiting Adam Scott Lions. They're 1-1 on the season - following a 5-0 loss to Holy Cross in Peterborough.

Hawks scored three shorthanded goals and received an outstanding performance from their goaltender Jillian Mayhew.

The ‘Ladyhawkes’ are now 1-1 on the season. Sam Tallman and Julia Fedeski scored two goals apiece.

Strong start for a young team, still learning to play together.

It’ll be a season of firsts and a bellwether for hockey in the Highlands.

Not just because it gives local girls who eschew spiked toes for round bladed Tackaberries a forum for their talents.

But because young girls growing up in the hockey-mad Haliburton Highlands will have an option to pursue high caliber shinny right here at home.

With high school hockey comes exposure to scouting; university hockey; and that pervasive possibility of Olympic Gold.

Silver Stick Hockey this weekend in Hal and Minden

BY Terrance Gavan
The minor hockey associations here in Haliburton and Minden are hosting the second week of the popular Silver Stick tourney.
The Bantams and Midget clubs have at it at both arenas this weekend.
The Atoms and Pee Wees played last week.
All finals this week will take place at Minden on Sunday.
Lots of action at both venues today (Saturday).
The Bantam action occurs in Haliburton and the Midgets play their round robin games in Minden.
Fans as always are welcome, so please come on out and support your Highland Storm teams.

Shut up and play the game - the N-word and trash talk

Pardon the Eruption – Gav Sports Column

By Terrance Gavan

Trash talk.

Coach Walsh is watching from the stands until Minor Hockey
gets its collective head out of the sand.

   I don’t think it was around when I was growing up.

   Trash talk is imbued with a certain efficacy today.

   It’s subtle as a jackhammer.

   It’s unpleasant.

   It’s the antithesis of sportsmanship.

   It’s schadenfreude taken beyond reasonable bounds.

   I’m not a big fan … even though my number one hero, Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird was apparently one of its most vile and loathsome practitioners.

   Peterborough hockey coach Greg Walsh is paying the price right now for his bold and singular stand against trash talk emanating from a game on Nov. 15.

   Walsh is sitting out an as yet undetermined suspension for pulling his team off the ice during a hockey game a few weeks back.

   Walsh is sitting because he wouldn’t sit still.

   He’s sitting because the trash talk aimed at one of his teenage players clearly overstepped the bounds of good taste.

   He’s sitting because of a racist taunt aimed at one of his players.

Ms Paul's class sports wrapper -HHSS Hawks

(Details of games from the weekend of December 3,4)
Weekend Basketball Tourney - Seniors playing very well
The senior boys' basketball team participated in a tournament over the
weekend in North Bay.  The team was defeated by defending tourney champs
Timmins High School.  The team upset White Pines High School from Sault
St. Marie by a 37-34 score and were led by Luke Watson's 14 points and
Damon Flatman's 7 points.  After leading by 7 points, the team fell to
Kapuskasing by a 44-39 score.  Jesse Lefebvre had 13 points and 10
rebounds, Luke Watson had 10 points, and Jesse Walker had 7 points. 

Tuesday, December 7

The boys' Red Hawk hockey team was firing on all cylinders as they downed
Adam Scott by a score of 10 - 1. 

The wrestling team competed in Bancroft, where 12 Red Hawks came home with
medals.  Gold medallists included:  Kayla Gardiner, Caitlyn Griffin, Lily
Coneybeare, Cody Cox, Gage Shelly, and Dylan Graham.

The Lady Hawks 'Hawkey' team began their inaugural season against Holy
Cross from Peterborough, where stingy defence and solid goaltending held
the talented opposition to one goal in each of the first two periods.
 
Wednesday, December 8

The senior girls' volleyball team hosted a tournament where they competed
against 5 other teams.  The Hawks were the #1 Double A school and overall,
finished one point out of 2nd place. 

The Lady Hawks 'Hawkey' team soared on the ice, defeating Adam Scott by a
score of 5-3.  The win was capped off with 3 short-handed tallies and
featured excellent goaltending from Jillian Mayhew. 

Thursday, December 9

The senior boys' basketball team improved their record to 2 wins and 1
loss with a 4th quarter come-from-behind 56-48 victory over Fenelon Falls.
 Luke Watson had 16 points, Jesse Lefebvre 15 points, and player of the
game Damon Flatman contributed 11 points. 

The junior boys' basketball team played the Fenelon Falls Falcons, where
they went into the 4th quarter behind only 4 points.  Final score 50 - 36
for the Falcons.  Tanner Ballantyne had a game high 14 points, while
Nathan Feir added 9 points. 

Hal High opens inaugural season in Kawartha Girls Hockey League

Girls drop season opener 5-0 

and guys crunch Adam Scott 10-1

By Terrance Gavan

Both Hal High hockey teams hit the old Buckhorn Trail to Peterborough on Tuesday.

   Tuesday’s tilt marked the Hawks women’s inaugural game in Kawartha schoolgirl hockey.

   Exciting news for the Red Hawk girls, who have been waiting for this seminal moment after participating as a club team for the past six years.

   This year Hal High Principal Dan Marsden and teacher Bruce Griffith, along with local coach Vince Duchene all deserve kudos for following through on the dream. Big props to all involved in the developmental process as well.

   Big learning curve in store for the girls, indicated by the 5-0 loss in their debut against Holy Cross Crusaders.

   Marsden, contacted by phone on Tuesday evening, said it’s a respectable start for the Hawks, who have a young team with a good blend of talent.

   “We were behind 1-0 after one period and we trailed 2-0 after two,” said Marsden. “Our goaltender played really well and we have a broad range of talented girls who are learning to skate as a team right now. We’re looking forward to our home opener on Wednesday afternoon.”

   The girls played that opener at 2 pm on Wednesday against Adam Scott. Results and photos of that big event will be in next week’s Voice.

Red Hawk wrestlers takedown some medals

By Terrance Gavan – Voice Sports

They toil in anonymity.

   Takedowns and holds.

   Leverage is a big part of the wrestling game.

   And leverage - unless you happen to be an aficionado of the Grecian grapple – is an intangible.

   Leverage is not like a breakaway in hockey, a dipsy-doodle whoop to hoop, or a sack in football.

   Leverage is … well … hard to quantify really.

   It’s quick hands, quick feet, quick study, and quick knee jerk response.

   It’s smart, dynamic, and at its heart leverage relies upon the time-honored physics conundrum about irresistible forces and unmovable objects.

   But in wrestling theoretical physics takes a back seat to the more fragrant “bigger they are – harder they fall” rule of objects in motion.

   Call it grace under fire. Takedowns are exciting. Seldom seen. There’s the rub.

   Paul Klose and Dan Faulkner coach the Haliburton High Red Hawks’ wrestling team, and they are used to their spot in the hierarchy.

   Most of their work is done on the road. At venues well off the beaten track.

   Last week they took their teams to Kenner and Ajax for some serious early season competition.

Hockey Red Hawks snack on Griffins

Vasey pops two including the game winner

By Terrance Gavan

Mark Vasey, when he isn’t busy in the corners, or schmoozing pleasantries with opposing players, has a pretty deft touch around the net.

   Let’s just say that Vasey can be a royal pain in the butt for the opposition.

   He pops and pops off.

   Now understand, Vasey is no Sean Avery clone, he just likes to state his case unequivocally and without demur.   

   Red Hawks’ coaches Ron Yake and Bruce Griffith probably wish that Vasey would stick to the sniping and lower the level on the griping.

   But like the old song says, it may be a case of, “can’t have one without the other.”

   Quite simply, Vasey seems to produce best when he’s whirling around the ice surface like the Tasmanian Devil on Red Bull.

   Fans love it.

   Last Friday it was Vasey who got things going and then closed the door in the space of 63 seconds in a first period flurry that left the visiting Thomas A Stewart Griffins reeling.

   Vasey’s second goal was the eventual game winner in a 7-1 drubbing over the valiant but overmatched Griffins.

Hawks basketball girds for the new season

By Terrance Gavan – Voice Sports

A whole passel of senior hoopsters are taking a victory lap this year, and coach Roland Zilla, who is probably going to pack it in after this season, is expecting a lot from his core group of returning seniors.

   “Some of these guys have been with us for five years and it’s a great group of returning players,” said Zilla.

   The seniors are already nine games into a busy season.

They’ve played two three game tournaments, the most recent a two day long pop in North Bay last weekend.

   They boast a 4-5 overall record and are 1-1 in Kawartha league play.

Once again Zilla will be contending with stiff competition from Lindsay’s IE Weldon and LCVI, and Fenelon Falls Falcons a triumvirate of AAA schools with large enrolments and players who have access to tons of representational league options in the major centers.

   “I was happy with our showing at North Bay,” said Zilla. “We played Timmins High School, who are very strong and we did well to stay within 28 points of them. We beat Sault Ste. Marie and lost our other game, but it was a good tourney for us.”

Zilla said that the true measure of his squad might spin on a recent victory over St. Thomas Aquinas.

Local Sports Round up Dec 3-10 2010

Senior basketball team 9 games in already

By Terrance Gavan

Hal High Red Hawks – Judi Paul’s Class - Merci for this!

Basketball
The senior boys' basketball team defeated Fenelon Falls 37 - 32 in exhibition play. Luke Watson scored 15 points and 15 rebounds for his second double-double of the season. Chris Allison had 13 points and 5 steals and Justin Levely had 8 rebounds and 4 points.
Junior Basketball
The junior boys' basketball team played an intensive, back and forth game against Fenelon Falls but were defeated 33-28.  Zach Cox scored 14 points and pulled down 14 rebounds for his first double/double of the season.  
Wrestling
The Red Hawk wrestling team travelled to Peterborough where they won 60 percent of their matches at the first tournament of the season. Keith Burley and Taylor Dair each placed third in their weight classes.
Congratulations to Gage Shelly, Cody Cox, and Dylan Graham on their gold medal performances.
Volleyball
The senior girls' volleyball team travelled to LCVI to play in their first tourney of the year. The girls worked hard and proved to be a great contender amongst Double A rivals Brock and St. Thomas, winning a set against last year's Kawartha champs.
Wrestling
The veteran wrestlers competed at the Ajax tournament and posted some impressive results. Bringing home gold medals were Mike Mazara, Bailey Walker, Tara O'Sullivan and Maia O'Sullivan. Kayla Gardiner earned silver, while Lily Coneybeare and Caitlyn Griffin earned bronze. Special mention to Greg Baumgartner who only lost one match in a tough class.
Basketball
The senior boys' basketball team defeated the St. Thomas Trojans by a score of 52-34.  Jesse Lefebvre and Luke Watson had 14 points apiece, and Damon Flatman had 11 points.
The junior boys' basketball team earned a convincing victory over the St. Thomas squad.

Skiing

Sir Sam’s Ski Area will be open this weekend with special lift deals and that lovely brand new plexiglass covered, full sound system equipped moving carpet replacing the old T-Bar that services the bunny hill, terrain park, Cash Register and the east side runs.

Had a chat with Chris Bishop last week and he is very excited about the plans for this year.

The week in review - Red Hawks busy

Reprise of Judi Paul's Roundup
Many thanks from the blogger crew


Basketball
The senior boys' basketball team defeated Fenelon Falls in exhibition play
with a 37 - 32 victory.  Luke Watson scored 15 points and 15 rebounds for
his second double/double of the season, leading the way.  Chris Allison
had 13 points and 5 steals and Justin Levely had 8 rebounds and 4 points.

Junior Basketball
The junior boys' basketball team played an intensive, back & forth game
against Fenelon Falls but were defeated 33-28.  Zack Cox scored 14 points
and pulled down 14 rebounds for his first double/double of the season.   

Wednesday Announcements

Hockey 
The boys' Red Hawk hockey team travelled to Ottawa for a large 20 team,
2-day tournament.  After 4 exciting games, the Red Hawks came home as the
champions by defeating the Louis Riel Rebels of the Ottawa region.  The
final game ended with a dramatic, come-from-behind, overtime goal scored
by Keaton Gadway. 

Thursday Announcements
Wrestling
The Red Hawk wrestling team travelled to Peterborough where they won 60
percent of their matches at the first tournament of the season.  Keith
Burley and Taylor Dair each placed third in their weight classes.
Congratulations to Gage Shelly, Cody Cox, and Dylan Graham on their gold
medal performances. 
Volleyball
The senior girls' volleyball team travelled to LCVI to play in their first
tourney of the year.  The girls worked hard and proved to be a great
contender amongst Double A rivals Brock and St. Thomas, winning a set
against last year's Kawartha champs. 

Friday Announcements

The veteran wrestlers competed at the Ajax tournament and posted some
impressive results.  Bringing home gold medals were Mike Mazara, Bailey
Walker, Tara O'Sullivan and Maia O'Sullivan.  Kayla Gardiner earned
silver, while Lily Coneybeare and Caitlyn Griffin earned bronze.  Special
mention to Greg Baumgartner who only lost one match in a tough class.
 
Basketball
The senior boys' basketball team defeated the St. Thomas Trojans by a
score of 52-34.  Jesse Lefebvre and Luke Watson had 14 points apiece, and
Damon Flatman had 11 points.

The junior boys' basketball team earned a convincing victory over the St.
Thomas squad.

Hodgson changes agents and ups the ante in the Peg

Haliburton’s adopted son leading Manitoba Moose in scoring

Edmonton - By Terrance gavan - Voice Sports

Haliburton’s adopted son, Cody Hodgson knows how to draw a crowd.

  On and off the ice.

HODGSON may be back in a Canuck jersey sooner than most pundits
figured. The Haliburton cottager is leading the Manitoba Moose in scoring .

   Last weekend, the Vancouver Province reported:  “All of the Vancouver Canuck coaches and most of the team's senior management team were in Abbotsford, BC on Saturday (Nov 27) night to watch the Manitoba Moose beat the Abbotsford Heat 3-1.

   “All eyes figured to be on Cody Hodgson and he didn't disappoint. Hodgson scored the game-winner and also added an empty-netter in what was just the latest in a recent string of impressive performances.”

   Hodgson leads all Moose scorers with 10 goals and is tied for the Moose lead in overall scoring.

   The shinny skinny in Van-City?

   The Canucks are still playing without a full complement of forwards.

   Canucks placed fourth liner Peter Schaefer on waivers last week.

   Rick Rypien, after a recent indiscretion with a fan in the stands, is out with an upper body injury – waaay upper. Rypien is apparently gone indefinitely, taking personal time to deal with a stress-related noggin disorder.

   The shake and jiggle funky blog/pundit factory is rife with speculation regarding Hodgson, a Highlands cottager who got his hockey start here in Haliburton at the Dysart Barn when his dad Chris was a Conservative MLA for the area.

Red Hawks sweep to Championship of Prestigious Ottawa Tournament

Terrance Gavan Editor

The Hal High Red Hawks ‘got ér done’ this week at a prestigious Ottawa high school hockey tournament.

   Hawks went through the round robin portion of the Fifth Annual Capital High School tournament undefeated (3-0), and on Tuesday they mustered enough energy to edge out the Louis Riel Rebelles 3-2 in a thrilling overtime final.

   Oddly enough, the Hawks actually had to defeat the Rebelles twice on Tuesday as they played them in the final of their round robin event on Tuesday morning.

   The Hawks beat the Rebelles 4-3 to finish their draw at 3-0 earning a free ride to the finals.

Brett Yake scored both goals in regulation and veteran stalwart Keaton Gadway – with assists from Drew Paul and Mark Vasey - popped the golden goal at 1:59 of overtime to seal the deal.

   Gadway’s goal capped off a marvelous tournament for the Hawks.

   The Hawks have a nucleus of returning veterans and that’s what it takes to win in this kind of tourney.

   Haliburton started on Monday with a 6-1 victory over All Saints Avalanche and followed that up with a 4-3 victory over St Joe’s Jaguars on Monday afternoon.

   In the final the Hawks trailed the Rebelles 1-0 after two periods.