Novice Flyers contenders in Barrie

The Arthurs Fuels Novice AE Flyers were strong contenders in the BMHA Tournament hosted by Barrie last weekend, December 2nd to 4th.

The Flyers played four games over three days and deserve acknowledgement for sportsmanship and for excellent play.

Orangeville first faced Whitby on Friday morning, but came up short with a final score of 4 to 2.

The first period was scoreless and then Whitby got two goals in the second to take the lead.

A third goal for the opponents did not discourage the Flyers who fought back and put one up on the board with an unassisted goal by centreman David Bath. Another goal by Whitby was answered by the second Orangeville goal scored by Ben Mercey on an assist from Robert Martellacci.

The Flyers strong determination was evident in their second game win over the Aurora Tigers on Friday evening.

Congratulations to goalies Shayne Rauhut and Mitchell Wagner for a shut out.

The teams were well matched and, again, a scoreless first period kept the fans on their feet.

Flyer Captain Martellacci scored unassisted in the second period and less than two minutes later Riley White scored on an assist from Mercey. Winger Logan Ward scored from Martellacci in the third to end the game 3 to 0.

Orangeville then challenged the Orillia team in their game on Saturday.

Orillia was quick to score within the first minute of the game, but the Flyers played hard, dug in the corners, made some incredible passing plays, and stood strong on the blue line.

In the second period Orangeville’s Jonah Graham scored on an assist from Martellacci and Ward and a minute later Martellacci scored unassisted.

The third period was a scoreless battle and the game ended in the Flyers’ favour, 2 to 1.

The Flyers were successful in making it to the semifinals and faced Waterloo on Sunday morning.

In their previous three games Waterloo had outscored their opponents by a total of more than 20 goals and so Orangeville represented Waterloo’s first real challenge.

The entire Flyer team was on their game and had Waterloo on the defensive. Flyer Martellaci scored the first goal late in the second period on an assist from defenseman Ryan Smyth.

Waterloo scored in the third period to tie the game 1 to 1. In overtime Orangeville demonstrated fierce determination and the crowd was literally on the edge of their seats.

With just 27 seconds left in the 10-minute overtime, the Wolves scored. All agreed it was an excellent game that Orangeville could just have easily won.

Congratulations to the entire squad: Goalies Rauhut and Wagner, Forwards Ward, Martellacci, Graham, Bath, Mercey, White, Brad Arthurs, Alex Capone and Jean-Paul Lambert, Defensemen Calvin Meek, Cooper Jones, Smyth, and Braeden Black, Coaching Staff Lisa White, Dale Smyth, Richard Wagner, Dave Rauhut and Robert Meek.