Tillsonburg Gemini boys hockey program building toward official, unofficial goals

Tillsonburg Gemini goalie Jack Bruder takes a swat at the puck along with Ingersoll DCI’s Jeremy Stiles (left) as Tillsonburg defender Owen Ardy looks on. (Jeff Tribe Photo)

Jeff Tribe, Echo Correspondent

Officially, the Tillsonburg Gemini boys’ hockey program’s goal is to get to the playoffs.

“But I’m not going to lie that winning a bunch of games and being undefeated isn’t a goal too,” admitted coach Derek Partlo with a laugh following a home ice 3-1 TVRA South East victory over the visiting Ingersoll DCI Blue Bombers Thursday, Jan. 9.

The Gemini have been closer to that unofficial goal than the official one many years, a strong community minor hockey program and consistency behind the bench contributing factors.

“We have a decent program and are usually retooling, not rebuilding every year,” said Partlo.

Ongoing success can in effect, put a target on a team’s back, bringing out the best in opponents.

“But it makes you better too, knowing everyone gets up to play against you.”

The Ingersoll DCI Blue Bombers brought their A game to the Tillsonburg’s Memorial Arena in a fast-paced, structured and well-disciplined outing. It featured the odd heavy hit, timely saves by both goalies at either end of the ice, just three minor penalties and very little extra-curricular activity.

“They’re a good program as well, similar to us,” credited Partlo. “They play the right way and their coach does a good job of keeping them under control.

“A good hockey game.”

Tillsonburg’s Adam Cvitkovic opened scoring with 4:14 remaining in the first period, surgically inserting a wrist shot high to the stick side from the right point. Owen Ardy and Liam Nunn picked up assists, doing the spadework behind the IDCI net to gain control of the puck and feed their teammate.

Logan Almeida upped the lead to two at the 10:52 mark of the second (15-minute) period, set up beautifully with an open side of the goal following a cross-crease pass from the right wing. Cale Arvai and Johnny Lamers drew assists.

Ingersoll’s W. Parsons countered from N. Muller with 10:21 remaining in the third period, setting up a tight final stretch. The Gemini would outshoot IDCI roughly two to one on the game (unofficially 43-22) and felt Partlo, controlled a majority of the play.

“But it was a 2-1 hockey game in the last ten minutes.”

Tillsonburg’s Rilan Swain relieved some of the tension with 2:06 remaining, unassisted on a rush down the left wing.

“In the third, they took it to us off the hop,” credited Swain, who fired the puck between a defender’s legs, finding the net ‘high blocker’ side. “Our goalie made some saves and we found a way to get one at the end.”

Swain is a native of Perry’s Cove, Newfoundland, ‘population 50’, living and attending school in Tillsonburg while playing on the North American Prep Hockey League’s Oxford Warlords Hockey Academy squad. Swain, whose goals include improving as a hockey player and gaining exposure toward advancing in the game, has upcoming tournaments in Montreal and New York. He is on the ice three times a week with the Warlords and in the gym twice. Swain is the league leader in points (14) and assists (9) and stands second in points per game at 2.80.

“Got the win,” he summed up of the outing against Ingersoll DCI. “But it was a bit closer than we imagined.”

There was more than two points on the line for a number of Gemini and Blue Bombers who play minor hockey together with the amalgamated South Oxford Storm, which draws players from both Tillsonburg and Ingersoll. Sitting second in Shamrock League standings as of Jan. 9, they would be back to being teammates that Sunday evening in St. Thomas.

“It’s competitive (on the ice during high school games),” said Nunn, one of a mixed group of players from opposing teams amicably comparing notes and chirping just a little following the TVRA South East contest. “End of the day, it’s friends of ours.”

“Exactly what it should be,” said Partlo. “Play hard on the ice and when it’s over, go back to being good buddies.”

The win pushed Tillsonburg’s record to 5-0, subsequently upped to a perfect 7-0 with wins over Aylmer East Elgin (6-1) and Woodstock St. Mary’s CHS (5-1). The regular Gemini season concludes with back-to-back games Feb. 6 and 7.

“Our goal is to make it to our league final and have a chance at WOSSAA,” Partlo concluded.