Post by snoopy on Dec 27, 2011 13:42:37 GMT -5
Tundras surprise Dunlops
By James Evans
Posted 10 hours ago
When the Orillia Tundras are firing on all cylinders, they have the look of a team with a legitimate shot at bringing home an Allan Cup title and Friday night was a perfect example of this as they handed the Whitby Dunlops just their second loss of the season by defeating the visitors 5-3 at Rotary Place.
Whitby, coming off an 8-4 loss against the Norwood Vipers, was looking to rebound against Orillia who, despite winning in a shootout against the same Vipers a week ago, was still desperately needing to put two embarrassing defeats behind them as both came against the Dundas Real McCoys prior to their win in Norwood.
Jumping out to an early 3-0 first-period lead on goals by John Vecchiarelli, Kevin Shoebridge and Leiland Gauley, the Tundras had veteran goaltender Ron Bertrand to thank for keeping the Dunlops off the scoresheet during the opening frame as he made a number of solid and timely stops.
With two more tallies in the second — on goals by Kyle Begley and Andrew Hawke — the Tundras built a 5-1 lead. From that point, the Tundras turned to their defensive game by clogging up the neutral zone with four defenders which proved to be the strategy needed to prevent the Dunlops from mounting any type of comeback as the game progressed.
With just two shots on goal in the third period, the Tundras kept with the game plan and despite giving up two power-play markers to Whitby in the final frame, Orillia, backed by a superb night in goal by Bertrand, hung on to win 5-3.
"Maybe now the fans will see that we are a good team and that we are committed to bringing a championship home," said head coach Tom Ruff who, as of the midway point in the second, could be heard across the ice instructing his players to get the puck deep and to get back on defence.
"We had a game plan once we were up and we stuck with it and it gave us the win," said Ruff.
"We're not in this to lose and hopefully with a few more games like this we'll get a few more fans out to support as we need the support... it really does make a difference," said Ruff, who over the last few games has seen a decline in attendance at Rotary Place.
The Tundras were outshot 28-26 and they finished two for five on the power play, while Whitby made good on both their powerplay opportunities.
Orillia's Stacey Bristone, who took a hit along the boards in the late going of the game, suffered a broken tibia and will require surgery to repair it.
Key notables missing from the Tundras lineup Friday were forwards Bruce Gardiner , Nevin Hamilton, Kyle Tarini and defenceman Greg Johnston.
The Tundras welcome back Dundas to Rotary Place Jan. 7 for an 8:15 p.m. contest at the Orillia arena.
newsroom@orilliapacket.com
By James Evans
Posted 10 hours ago
When the Orillia Tundras are firing on all cylinders, they have the look of a team with a legitimate shot at bringing home an Allan Cup title and Friday night was a perfect example of this as they handed the Whitby Dunlops just their second loss of the season by defeating the visitors 5-3 at Rotary Place.
Whitby, coming off an 8-4 loss against the Norwood Vipers, was looking to rebound against Orillia who, despite winning in a shootout against the same Vipers a week ago, was still desperately needing to put two embarrassing defeats behind them as both came against the Dundas Real McCoys prior to their win in Norwood.
Jumping out to an early 3-0 first-period lead on goals by John Vecchiarelli, Kevin Shoebridge and Leiland Gauley, the Tundras had veteran goaltender Ron Bertrand to thank for keeping the Dunlops off the scoresheet during the opening frame as he made a number of solid and timely stops.
With two more tallies in the second — on goals by Kyle Begley and Andrew Hawke — the Tundras built a 5-1 lead. From that point, the Tundras turned to their defensive game by clogging up the neutral zone with four defenders which proved to be the strategy needed to prevent the Dunlops from mounting any type of comeback as the game progressed.
With just two shots on goal in the third period, the Tundras kept with the game plan and despite giving up two power-play markers to Whitby in the final frame, Orillia, backed by a superb night in goal by Bertrand, hung on to win 5-3.
"Maybe now the fans will see that we are a good team and that we are committed to bringing a championship home," said head coach Tom Ruff who, as of the midway point in the second, could be heard across the ice instructing his players to get the puck deep and to get back on defence.
"We had a game plan once we were up and we stuck with it and it gave us the win," said Ruff.
"We're not in this to lose and hopefully with a few more games like this we'll get a few more fans out to support as we need the support... it really does make a difference," said Ruff, who over the last few games has seen a decline in attendance at Rotary Place.
The Tundras were outshot 28-26 and they finished two for five on the power play, while Whitby made good on both their powerplay opportunities.
Orillia's Stacey Bristone, who took a hit along the boards in the late going of the game, suffered a broken tibia and will require surgery to repair it.
Key notables missing from the Tundras lineup Friday were forwards Bruce Gardiner , Nevin Hamilton, Kyle Tarini and defenceman Greg Johnston.
The Tundras welcome back Dundas to Rotary Place Jan. 7 for an 8:15 p.m. contest at the Orillia arena.
newsroom@orilliapacket.com