Gemini boys hockey team playing with ‘house money’ at WOSSAA A/AA

Gemini Keegan Diering (left) managed to centre the puck despite being taken out of the play by either Parkside’s Dezzy Fulton or RJ MacPherson. (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Post Correspondent

A ‘shortie’, two-on-zero break and an empty-net goal added up to a 3-0 Thames Valley Regional Athletics Southeast boys’ hockey championship victory for the St. Thomas Parkside Stampeders.

But the equation also left room for hope for the visiting Tillsonburg Gemini Thursday, March 5 at the Joe Thornton Arena.

“We can compete with these guys,” said Gemini forward Keegan Diering, conceding Tillsonburg had been outworked early, and had to battle its way back into the game. “And they scored when they had the chance.”

“We had plenty of chances,” added teammate David Lamers. “A couple of back doors we didn’t bear down on.”

Parkside’s Nash Adams capitalized on a Gemini turnover, turning a power-play inside out at the 6:30 mark of the second (15-minute) period, on an assist to Tyce Willis. Tillsonburg goalie Will Court had no chance on the play, less on a subsequent two-on-zero with 3:56 remaining in the frame. It was set up by Stampeders goalkeeper Andrew Menlore firing the puck high off the glass for what became a stretch pass to Ronen Davidson behind a changing Gemini defence. Davidson fed the puck cross-crease to Cole Dailey who was able to finish despite Court’s desperation attempt.

“Got a piece of that one,” said the Gemini keeper, who was also exonerated of blame on the third Parkside goal, given he was sitting on the Gemini bench in favour of an extra attacker. Dailey notched his second of the contest into the vacated net, assisted by Dezzy Fulton to round the 3-0 final.

“They carried most of the play,” credited Tillsonburg coach Derek Partlo. “Our goalie kept us in it and their goalie was outstanding.

“We should have had two or three.”

Tillsonburg did have its chances on the power play, including a pair of double minors, the second providing a four-minute stretch of man advantage during the third period, beginning with 9:30 left in regulation. The Gemini had set up well and executed with a man advantage said Parlto, but ultimately, were unable to get the puck past Menlore.

“We got chances but no goals. And not only did we not get one, we gave one up.

“That changes the game.”

The Stampeders are coming off a trip to provincial finals last year said Partlo, and viewed from the stands, appear to be a larger, older unit than a comparatively young Gemini squad.

“That’s not to say we can’t beat them in a one-game situation,” said Partlo.

Tillsonburg was looking forward to that opportunity at the Western Ontario Secondary School Athletics Association (WOSSAA) A/AA tournament scheduled for Tuesday, March 10 at Strathroy’s Gemini Arena. Tillsonburg was to take the ice against Stratford St. Mike’s at 9:30 a.m., 15 minutes after the event’s opening faceoff between Parkside and Holy Cross. The bronze medal game was set for 2:30 p.m. on the facility’s Green Pad, the gold a half-hour later in the Blue arena.

“We’re pretty young, we’re not going in there with delusions of grandeur,” said Partlo. “But it’s hockey, anything can happen in two games.”

“I think we’re ready for WOSSAA,” added Lamers. “I think it’s going to be a good test for the team and get us ready for next year.”

In a sense, Tillsonburg is playing with house money said Diering, given the Gemini were not expected to make it this far, this season.

“Just do the little things right and play as simple and hard as we can.”

“Take on St. Mike’s, beat them and play Parkside in the final,” Court added in conclusion. “Hopefully get some revenge.”