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Ontario has found way to stay in medal hunt
The motto of the Ontario men's hockey team competing at the Canada Winter Games has served them well since their opening game.
When it appeared the team would be out of the medal hunt, they found a way to get back into the tournament.
After their opening-day 4-1 loss to B.C., Ontario has back-to-back victories.
Last night, they defeated New Brunswick 5-3 at the Canada Games Centre.
"It's important to remember the motto and dig deep," said Ontario centre Ryan Hare of the Sarnia Sting.
"We knew everybody was going to be a tough battle. It's a tough tournament," Hare said.
Ontario head coach Steve Spott, who also coaches the Plymouth Whalers, said the calibre of the players in the tournament has been superb.
"We're battling, but mentally it's been very tough. Anyone who criticizes the talent pool in this country should take a look at this tournament."
Darryl Thomson of the Kingston Frontenacs led the way for Ontario last night with two goals, both in the first period.
Miguel Delisle of the Ottawa 67s had two assists for Ontario, who outshot New Brunswick 45 to 20.
Nathan Herrington of the Guelph Storm opened the scoring in the first with a power-play goal after he was set up at the corner of the net by Jay Harrison of the Brampton Battalion.
Ontario's other goal in the first, which turned out to be the winner, came from Hare, who was set up by Brad Boyes of the Erie Otters and Lou Dickenson of the Mississauga Ice Dogs.
The speedy Hare was used on his team's penalty-killing unit, which allowed one goal in six New brunswick power plays, and on Ontario's power play.
"I feel good about the penalty killing and the power play is getting better," he said.
Spott said Hare and Kris Newbury of the Belleville Bulls are his top two players. "They've logged a lot of time."
Newbury scored Ontario's fifth goal in the third period last night.
New Brunswick scored their goals in each of the periods. Their second goal came after Ontario goalie Miguel Beaudry, a junior A player with Collingwood, mishandled the puck. Beaudry, obviously frustrated with himself on that goal, slammed his stick on the ice.
But that was his only miscue of the night and he played a steady game for Ontario.
Spott said Beaudry has been "a pleasant surprise."
After losing to B.C., Ontario's last two games were must-wins if they wanted a chance at gold.
On Tuesday, they scored three times in the third to defeat the No. 1-ranked Saskatchewan team 4-2.
After two periods, Ontario was down 2-1 to Saskatchewan. But Boyes scored twice in the third and Jonah Leroux of the Oshawa Generals added the other goal in the third period for the victory.
"It was do-or-die," Hare said. "We came into the third knowing if we lost, we were done. We were down 2-1. It shows you the character of the team to come back and win."
Ontario plays the Northwest Territories, who have yet to win a game, tonight.
If Ontario wins that game, and B.C. defeats Saskatchewan tomorrow, Ontario will automatically advance to the medal round.
B.C. and Alberta are the only squads in the 12-team tournament that have not lost.
Spott said if Ontario is going to have a shot at a medal, they've got to score more. Ontario's top scorer has been Boyes, but he is only tied for ninth in scoring in pool A with four points.
In other games yesterday, P.E.I. defeated Newfoundland 6-3; B.C. defeated Nova Scotia 6-2; Manitoba and Quebec tied at 1 and Alberta defeated the Yukon 16-0.