December 26, 2014
2012
The Montgomery Ford Midget girls travelled to Ayton, last Thursday (Dec. 18) and defeated the West Grey Warriors "C" team, 4-1, in their final league game before the Christmas holidays.
This was a good game, leaving the Ford girls with a 16-5 record, so far.
The girls are having such a great season that before the two-week break, my daughter, Megan, asked if we could have a joint practice with the Beisel Contracting Midget boys A/E team Monday night (Dec. 22). Sounded okay to me so we contacted the coaching staff and came up with an idea for a fun evening.
Coach Dean Netzke and I decided to set up a co-ed game, dividing both teams evenly between forwards, defence and, of course, gender. Both teams had almost three full lines and a goalie apiece, teaming up boy-girl lines with wearing home and away jerseys.
We called this event the Netzke-Kemp Midget hockey Christmas classic! Netzke formulated a plan to bring down Kemp in a match of two 10-minute periods, and one 15-minute period, over the regular practice ice time.
From the face-off, Kemp kept his lines fresh to try and accelerate quickly and get an early lead which seemed to work. Both teams actually took this very seriously and with all the mixed lines, they played extremely well, maybe even better than regualr season game play.
With two referees controlling the game, and a time-keeper minding the clock, this was a really fun, exciting game and all players and coaches had a great time.
The game was close as Kemp's team was awarded a penalty shot in the second period to score an extra goal, which gave my team the 4-2 victory over Netzke's team.
All I could see on the bench that night were smiles, friendship, respectful play, and sportsmanship which impressed me throughout the night! It certainly is something that most wanted to do again another night and Netzke may even make up a trophy for the next battle amongst these teenagers!
After the game, all the players, coaches, trainers, and referees gathered in front of the home bench (or winning bench) for a group photo and on the count of three, they all shouted out "Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"
The Montgomery Ford Midget girls and Beisel Contracting Midget boys A/E team join forces for a fun game of hockey Monday night (Dec. 22) at the Davidson Centre; photo courtesy of coach Gord Kemp
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