The Kelsey’s North Central Minor Midget Predators began their
busy month of November by facing off against the visiting first place York
Simcoe Express on Thursday Nov 5th. The Predators came out looking to limit
the high scoring Express to a minimum of scoring chances and through the first
period of play they did just that by holding York Simcoe to just 3 shots on
goal.
The period would end with the Predators trailing by a score of 1-0.
In the second with a Predators player in the penalty box the Express
added
to their lead with a powerplay
goal and moments later went up by 3 capitalizing on a North Central turnover.
The score after 2 periods was York Simcoe 3 North Central 0.
The potent Express offence struck again early in the 3
rd putting the visitors up by 4. A late Predators goal would make the final score. York Simcoe Express 4 North Central Predators 1.
Saturday Nov 7th had the Barrie Colts in Rama to take on the Hometown Kelsey’s Orillia North Central Predators.
The Predators skated hard in the first and fore-checked hard to try and beat the strong Colts defence. Halfway into the period their efforts were rewarded and they took an early 1-0 lead. A few minutes later the North Central Predators would score their second, giving them a 2-0 lead going into the second period. The second period was a close battle with neither team being able to sustain any offensive zone pressure. Late in the period Barrie would finally beat the North Central netminder and narrow the North Central lead by a goal. The third period started with the Colts trailing by a score of 2-1 and the persistent Colts put a strong push on the Predators to tie the score. Some strong goaltending and a dedication to defence helped North Central hold the Colts at bay. With minutes left and the Barrie net empty a Predators player was able to clear the puck into the empty net and give the home team the victory. Final Score North Central Predators 3 Barrie Colts 1.
The North Central Minor Midget Predators travelled to Ajax Pickering on Sunday Nov 8th looking for 2 points against the improving Ajax-Pickering Raiders. The first period had the visiting Predators control the play but some great Raiders goaltending kept North Central off the board. The second period started with North Central once again looking to score. After some sustained pressure in the Raiders end the Predators were finally able to beat the Ajax Pickering netminder and make the score 1-0. Minutes later a Predators mistake allowed the Raiders to tie the game 1-1. With the game tied the Raiders elevated their play and ended the second period with both teams exchanging several chances. Both teams started the third determined for the win and after some strong forechecking it was the Predators that were able to go up by a goal. Just a few moments later North Central went up by a score of 3-1 and looked set on increasing the margin further. Pressing for another goal the Predators turned the puck over and a Raiders player found himself in alone on the North Central goaltender and made no mistake in cutting the Predator lead to 1. A late North Central goal would make the final score North Central Predators 4 Ajax Pickering Raiders 2.
The Kelsey’s Orillia North Central Minor Midget Predators have started November with 2 wins and a loss against some strong ETA competition. The Predators will be looking to avenge an early season loss when they travel to Clarington to take on the current OMHA Champion Toros in Clarington on Sunday November 15th.
Written by Doug Sweeney