Gemini boys hockey team relying on contributions from both veterans and rookies

Gemini Lucas Morse (left) protects the puck deep in the Knights zone. (Jeff Tribe photo)

Jeff Tribe, Post Correspondent

Not only does Tillsonburg Gemini boys’ hockey veteran Liam Nunn understand where his younger teammates are at, he’s in the same position of learning and growing as an Affiliated Player (AP) with the Provincial Junior Hockey League Norwich Merchants.

“It puts it more into perspective,” said the Grade 12 Nunn following a four-point performance in a 9-3 Thames Valley Regional Athletics (TVRA) Southeast victory over the Woodstock College Avenue Knights Tuesday, December 9 in Woodstock.

Contributions that will be required from both ends of the experience spectrum for the Gemini to be successful this season were on display in Woodstock. Tillsonburg had taken a 3-0 lead out of the first period on a pair of Drew Hunter goals and a singlet courtesy of Keegan Diering, with assists to Clarke Lessif (2), Nunn, Landon Dodsley, David Lamers and Grade 9 rookie Lucas Thompson. Jacob Skanes and Nathan Beam responded for the Knights, cutting the gap to one with 11:28 remaining in the 15-minute second frame.

Thompson answered via a nifty two-on-one give-and-go breakout with Hunter. Thompson dropped the puck to Hunter, he recalled, driving onward toward the CASS net.

“And he fed me,” said Thompson, whose marker restored a two-goal lead with 7:37 to play in the frame.

High school hockey represents a competitive step up for Thompson, who plays minor with the U15 South Oxford Storm.

“They are bigger, faster and more physical - a lot more physical,” he said of the adjustment. “It’s helped me a lot.”

CASS’s Tyson Clough answer just 15 seconds later, driving in off the left wing to pull the host team back within a single goal.

But just over two minutes later, Nunn broke in on his left wing to restore Tillsonburg’s two-goal margin and also Gemini momentum, on assists to Lessif and Lucas Morse.

“Walked down the left side of the ice and roofed it,” said Nunn, who as well as playing for the Gemini, competes with the South Oxford Storm U18 squad, and as of December 9, had dressed for nine games with the Merchants.

“It got closer there, but we kept coming.”

This year’s Gemini roster is younger than it has been in recent seasons says Nunn.

“But our skill is there, just gotta get used to it,” a process he had to go through himself. “I felt that in Grade 9 too.”

Emerson Hodges extended Tillsonburg’s lead to 6-3 before the end of the second, burying a one-timer into the open side of the net just as a Gemini power-play expired, set up cross-crease by Nunn.

Hunter Whittington, Lamers and Nunn rounded the 9-3 final with unanswered third-period goals, on assists to Diering (2), Thompson and Lamers.

“A solid game,” Nunn summed up of a win which combined with a 4-1 TVRA opening victory over Aylmer East Elgin, gives Tillsonburg a 2-0 record on the young season. “Right now it’s just game by game and see how it goes.”

The Gemini were scheduled to close out pre-Christmas action with a Tuesday, December 16 road trip to Woodstock Huron Park, hosting St. Thomas St. Joe’s Thursday, December 18 at 12 noon in the Memorial Arena.

“That will be a good test,” said coach Derek Partlo of the latter outing.

The Gemini are still strong in high-end players said Partlo, although will be relying on younger skaters to fill in team depth.

“Just keep teaching and coaching them,” he concluded of an anticipated season progression. “Just making sure the young guys are safe, teaching them how we want them to play and mixing them in with our older players.”

GEMINI SCOREBOARD

Girls Curling

Friday, Dec. 5

Gemini 7, St. Mary’s 5

Boys Curling

Friday, Dec. 5

Gemini 5, St. Mary’s 4

Senior Boys Basketball

Monday, Dec. 8

Gemini 48, Woodstock St. Mary’s 45

Junior Boys Basketball

Monday, Dec. 8

St. Mary’s 53, Gemini 39