The Saugeen Shores Bantam B team (sponsored by Martin’s Home Hardware) have had a great start to
their 2016/17 season, going undefeated in their first five contests.
The Storm began their pre-season in mid-September with back to back victories over long- time rivals the Kincardine Kinucks. In the first game of the weekend home & home series (Sep 17) the Storm enjoyed a convincing 4-1 win, but game two the following day was a different story. In Sunday’s matchup (Sep 18), the Kinucks got out to a 2-0 lead early in the second period and things weren’t looking good. Some inspirational words from the coaching staff during the second intermission did the trick however, and the home team “Stormed” back with a three goal third period to snatch a 3-2 victory from the jaws of defeat.
The final pre-season exhibition game for the Storm had them travelling to Shallow Lake to face the Lakers (Sep 29). The drive proved to be worth it for the Storm fans in attendance, as the Bantam B’s coasted to a 6-0 victory with almost every player registering a point and goaltenders Jarret Blue and Tanner Bromfield sharing the first shutout of the season.
Next up were the West Grey Warriors who visited the Plex for the Bantam B Storm’s home opener (Oct 7). After a scoreless first period, Storm forward Austin Hagen broke the deadlock with a bullet from the top of the circle. Hagen would go on to record a hat-trick as the Storm convincingly defeated the Warriors by a score of 6-3.
The following day (Oct 8) the Bantam B’s took part in the 4th annual “Showdown on The Shores” which includes a full day of games, from Novice to Midget, between the Storm and the Kinucks. It was the third meeting between the two teams in less than a month, and the Kinucks did not want to end up 0 for 3.
The game proved to be a tight checking affair, with few chances at either end and s good solid play by both teams. With the game tied 0-0 late in the third period, the Kinucks got on the board on a nifty goal from winger Caleb Smith with 4 minutes remaining. A hush came over the building … the Storm did not want to lose at home in the “Showdown”. Thankfully, after some extended pressure in the Kinucks end, Storm winger Dane Heipel managed to the bury the tying goal with 2 minutes left on the clock. In a seemingly fitting ending, the Showdown resulted in a 1-1 draw.
The Bantam B’s will build on this great start to the season, and plan on carrying the momentum with them as they travel to Hanover this weekend to take on the Falcons (Oct 16).