Feb 21, 2016 | Tyard | 1407 views
A Memorable Season is Over
After a tough opening series with Huntsville, followed by another tough OMHA 1/4 final series with Napanee... The Progressive WS Bears season came to an end.
The series with Napanee couldn't have been closer. The 4 games series was decided by only 3 goals. 2 games went to overtime making a total of 5 overtimes in 10 playoff games! The Bears just couldn't catch a break in the goal scoring department. They had a decided advantage in zone time but we just couldn't 'finish'. On the other end, it was simply 'puck luck' and deflections that provided the Napanee goals. In spite of the deflating nature of close matches lost, the team never quit, often came back and was always pressing at the end.
In a nut-shell I'll try to summarize the season. First... congratulations on great minor hockey careers to the graduating players.... Everette Nudd, Sam Stewart, Ryan Saunders, Emerson Maher, Alex Kelly and Mitchell Jones. All these players found ways to contribute and help this team achieve far more than most thought was possible.
The team's season record of 28 wins, 17 loses and 8 ties shows they were real winners. There were 3 tournament wins also, in Huntsville, another in Mooretown and of course the local bragging rights for the MPS tournament. There were also some incredible games where the team's character really showed... for example when injuries had depleted the line up in the Silver Stick the Bears beat last years OMHA 'A' Division finalist Quinte West... confounding them with a work ethic that was the trademark of all their big wins. The Progressive WS Bears won many games against arguably more talented teams because they were rarely ever out-worked.
As we close this season and reflect on things... it was a difficult but hugely successful year that each and every player should be proud of. Two players, Everette Nudd and Joe Dowling suffered broken bones but showed incredible courage and determination to come back and contribute after long layoffs. Others had injuries and illness also that didn't keep them out for long. Some younger players began to step up and take leadership roles and it was gratifying for the coaching staff to see the group grow and mature as the year progressed. The staff appreciated the players for their hard work, intensity and fun the season provided to all of us. The staff would also like to thank a very supportive group of parents. There are always difficult decisions to make in the course of the season and we were grateful to have such fantastic families to be around.
Finally, thank you to our generous sponsor Progressive Waste Solutions. Sponsors like Progressive WS make minor hockey possible!
Sincerely,
Jake Yard, Paul Raynor, Nick Cross, Bailey Davis and Ted Yard