NEWS RELEASE
ELLWOOD EPPS SHARPSHOOTERS
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The Ellwood Epps major bantam Sharpshooters went undefeated in six games over three days last weekend to capture the Niagara Falls Tier 1 division championship.
The Orillia team opened the tourney with a 5-3 victory over the Aurora PS101 prospects in a very physical penalty-filled affair. Scoring for the Sharpshooters was Jhett Winkel, Austin Holenski, Owen Norman, Marcus Stolte and Donald Hoskins. Sam Laughlin and Robbie Rutledge were credited with assists.
Next up for the Sharpshooters was a late 10 p.m. start where they defeated the Niagara Ice Hawks 5-2. Goals were scored by Brock Jeffels, Rutledge, Marcus Stolte (2), and Hoskins. Assists were Tallied by Caden Pattenden, Jack Hexemer, Jonah Teahen, Mitchell Webb and Holenski.
Saturday the Sharpshooters started the day with a surprising 6-1 victory over the strong Cambridge Danglers thanks to many undisciplined penalties taken by the Danglers.
Goals came from Jeffels, Norman (2), Hoskins (2) and Stolte. Assists were tallied by Kaiden Robitaille, Whyatt Winkel, Holenski (2), Norman and Hoskins. Mitchell Webb was very good in goal holding the Danglers offence at bay.
The last game of the round robin saw the Sharpshooters dominate the St. Catharines Ice Stix 7-2 and capture first place in the eight-team pool. Goals came from Owen Palaro, Norman (2), Holenski, Laughlin, Rutledge and Stolte. Assists were tallied by Ben Power, Stolte (3), Laughlin (2), Whyatt Winkel, Jhett Winkel, Rutledge and Hoskins.
The Sharpshooters advanced to the semi-finals to take on the fourth-place Huron Perth Sharks who came out playing very physical; the Sharpshooters had trouble finding their stride. With back and forth scoring, the game ended in a 2-2 draw. Holenski and Rutledge took turns setting each other up for the two regulation goals. With nobody scoring in overtime the game was decided by a shootout. Mitchell Webb took away the teeth of the Sharks in the shootout not allowing a goal while Holenski and Rutledge doubled down with goals, solidifying the victory.
The team now advanced to the championship where they had a rematch with the Cambridge Danglers who were looking to avenge their Friday loss. Stolte and Norman tallied first-period goals to put the Sharpshooters ahead but the Danglers responded with two goals late in the second. The Sharpshooters dug deep in the third helping Webb keep the Danglers off the board and with four minutes left Laughlin feathered a pass to Hoskins who tallied the game winner.
The championship concluded the Sharp Shooters’ season which saw them only lose one game - in overtime - through the whole spring.
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