Real News

Kenora takes 2012 Renwick Cup series

By Larry Robertson; photos by Rick Zazulak

DUNDAS—Six times since the Dundas Real McCoys re-entered the ranks of the Ontario Hockey Association Senior AAA ranks they have captured the John Ross Robertson and four times they have won the Ontario Hockey Federation Renwick Cup as the best Senior AAA hockey club in Ontario.

That ended this past weekend with a thud as the Kenora Thistles (the 1907 Stanley Cup champions) downed the Valley Town skaters 2-0 in games posting scores of 5-2 and 6-1 last Friday and Saturday nights in the JL Grightmire Arena.

The Thistles now advance to the Allan Cup Tournament at Lloydminster, Saskatchewan, which begins next Monday (April 16), and runs until Saturday, April 21, 2012.

“It’s hard to feel proud of our group after getting beaten by a strong Kenora club in our barn.  However, I am very proud of our entire organization because we put on a mini-series with only four days notice," said General Manager Don Robertson.

"No excuses or sour grapes here, Kenora was the better team, and we will make note of what’s required to get to the next level, and win the Allan Cup.  The gas tank was empty after playing seven games in 11 days against Whitby (Dunlops).  That is not an excuse, it's fact."

“We play in a great league (Allan Cup Hockey), one of the few in the country, and I am proud of the product we provide, and the entrainment value that the fans get year in and year out."

"As President of the Dundas Real McCoys, I’d like thank our fans and our volunteers all of whom put the REAL in Real McCoys," Robertson added.

Interestingly, Kenora entered the Renwick Cup competition with not having played together with a full lineup, and had not had a competitive game in more than six weeks following a number of cancellations and conflicts which wreaked havoc on the latter half of their schedule.  The club had only played five games since last November. 

Thistle in Real McCoys side

Jeff Richards scored three times, two on powerplays and one shorthanded as Kenora dropped the Real McCoys 6-1 and swept the best-of-three OHF Renwick Cup championship in two games last Saturday night.

The remaining goals by both sides were all scored on powerplays.  The Hockey Northwestern Ontario representatives Tyler Woodisse, Wesley Thom, and Matt Johnson scored once each.  Scott Mifsud managed the lone goal for the Real McCoys. 

It was a discouraging second game for Dundas as they were unable to secure enough shots on goal to create chances.  As the game entered its final stages, play became testy and Dundas wound up playing the last half of the third period shorthanded.  In the final 20 minutes, 40 penalties were handed out to both sides.

In the final analysis a total of 59 penalties were assessed with Kenora receiving 105 minutes on 29 infractions, while the McCoys took 106 minutes on 30 penalties.  The Thistles scored four times on their 13 opportunities while Dundas could only convert one of their 13 powerplays.

Whelan leads with a pair

Tobias Whelan scored twice in the first 10 minutes of the opening period to lead Kenora over Dundas 5-2 in the opening game last  Friday night. 

Whelan's first came when Dundas goalkeeper Bryan Worosz lost control of the puck behind the net and Jon Poirier tossed it out in front to Whelan.  His second came when he stole the puck at the Thistles blueline and drilled a shorthanded shot past Worosz at 9:24.  Teammates Nolan Gilchrist and Jeff Richards were off for roughing and slashing at the time. 

Ryan Christie had two glorious scoring opportunities thwarted by goalie Ryan Person late in the first period, and Scott Stafford was robbed on the doorstep of the crease.  If any of them had crossed the line, one wonders how things might have turned out.

Poirier, Tyler Woodisse, and Troy Ilijow rounded out the scoring for Kenora with Cam Watson and Christie replying for the McCoys. 

Richards a Thistle in the Real McCoys side

DUNDAS—Jeff Richards scored three times as Kenora Thistles defeated Dundas Real McCoys 6-1 to sweep the best-of-three Ontario Hockey Federation Renwick Cup championship in two games Saturday night in the JL Grightmire Arena.

The Thistles now advance to the Allan Cup Tournament at Lloydminster, Saskatchewan from Monday, April 16 to Saturday, April 21, 2012.

Rounding out the scoring for the Hockey Northwestern Ontario representatives were Tyler Woodisse, Wesley Thom, and Matt Johnson.  Cam Watson managed the lone goal for the Real McCoys. 

Goalie answers the call for Real McCoys

By Darryl G. Smart, Brantford Expositor 

Between his job as an elementary school teacher in Hamilton, coaching his son's minor peewee AAA team and trying to help the Dundas Real McCoys win an Allan Cup, it's been a long winter for goalie Bryan Worosz.

Originally from Brantford, and now residing in St. Catharines, the former Blast netminder, like most Allan Cup Hockey players, juggles the pressures of life while staying competitive and playing senior AAA hockey.

"It really is a juggling act and makes for some long days," said the 31-year-old Worosz,

He finally was able to take a night off after he and the Real McCoys disposed of the Whitby Dunlops in Game 7 of the ACH final Sunday.

"But it's worth it. It's something we all go through because we're all in the same boat. Playing senior hockey is something we all have a passion for. If it was like a job, none of us would be doing it. We play because we enjoy playing the game at a high level still and we enjoy the times together in the dressing room."

And that kind of camaraderie and passion for the game has helped Worosz push on in any type of role the Real McCoys have asked of him.

During the semifinal series against the Blast, he was on the bench when starter Jeff Maund got injured late in Game 1. Dundas went with Ryan Munce in Games 2, 3 and 4, but Worosz got the call for Game 5. In the series-clinching game, he stopped 42 shots and was the main reason the Real McCoys won.

In the ACH final series, he shared playing time with Maund and earned the win in Game 7.

"It's a lot of fun playing in games like that," said Worosz, a Brantford Minor Hockey Association product who went to Canisius College in Buffalo and then spent two years playing minor pro hockey.

"There's not really any pressure on you because it's not life or death. You play because you want to stay competitive and you're there for the rest of the guys on the team. When it's time to play, we all know what we have to do. I was just trying to do my part whenever they asked me to play."

And when he gets the call, Worosz has got the job done.

In five playoff appearances, he has a 4-1 record and a 3.98 goals against average and an impressive .903 save percentage.

"I can't say enough about Bryan Worosz in net," Real McCoys general manager Don Robertson said. "What a great job every time we needed him - a great kid."

But the playoff road doesn't stop with the Robertson Cup for Dundas. This weekend, Worosz and the Real McCoys host the Kenora Thistles in a best two-of-three series for the Renwick Cup. Game 1 is Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Game 2 is Saturday at 7 p.m. Game 3, if necessary, is Sunday at 2 p.m.

The winner earns the right to represent Ontario at the Allan Cup tournament in Lloydminster, Sask.

"Right now we're just enjoying three or four days off," Worosz said. "We've played seven games in 11 days. That's a lot of hockey on top of everything else going on in our lives.

"We all know what we have to do this weekend," he said.

"We take it seriously …. We know we're capable of winning and getting to the Allan Cup. We've been a bounce or two away from getting to the final a couple of times.

"I'm one of the lucky ones to have won an Allan Cup. You realize how hard it is to win it because there are guys in our dressing room that have been around for a long time and have been close but never won.

"It would be great to get by Kenora this weekend and have a shot at winning it for them." 

Allan is coming back

 DUNDAS--The Allan Cup Hockey Tournament is coming back to the Valley Town in 2014.  Dundas Real McCoys will be the tournament host because of staging an extremely successful tournament in 2003. 

The expanded tournament will feature six teams competing for the Allan Cup Trophy in April 2014.  TSN will air the Allan Cup championship game from Dundas.

"The time is right, to make public, the project that has been worked on for months by the Real McCoys executive.  What an honour to be able to host the World’s oldest National hockey championship again." said an ecstatic McCoys President and General Manager Don Robertson.  “We have been to the last four Allan Cup Tournaments, so we know what to expect and what is expected of us to run a great event."

"We’ll have a group of community leaders on our committee, and a stellar list of sponsors, but we know that the real success will come from the army of volunteers and our loyal fans who are the lifeblood of our hockey club”

"The Ontario Hockey Association and the Allan Cup Hockey League are extremely pleased to be part of this tremendous initiative, being spearheaded by the Dundas Real McCoys.  The Allan Cup Tournament is one of Hockey Canada's oldest and most prestigious championships," saidOHA President Brent Ladds.

We congratulate Don Robertson and his staff for having taken a lead role in bringing such a high-profiled event to the hockey fans in southern Ontario.  The honour of winning this coveted trophy ranks equally in any category, and with any of the Hockey Canada championships such as the Memorial Cup," Ladds added.

”The success of Hockeyville 2010 has been an inspiration to everyone, and we (Dundas) will show Canada again that our community is a hockey hotbed," said Robertson. 

Advance ticket packages on sale, now

Renwick Cup comes to Dundas Easter Weekend

DUNDAS—Dundas Real McCoys play host to the former Stanley Cup champion Kenora Thistles (1907) in the best-of-three Renwick Cup championship series beginning Friday (April 6) at 7 p.m. in the JL Grightmire Arena.

Because of the huge demand for tickets advance tickets are on sale today (Wednesday) from 12 noon until 6 p.m. and Thursday from 12 noon until 6 p.m. through the J L Grightmire Arena Box Office. 

Three-game packages for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday are being offered on a first come first served basis for $30.

The McCoys led by Allan Cup Hockey's leading playoff scoring trio Justin Davis, Darryl Smith, and Ryan Christie are ready for all of the games in the series Friday (April 6) at 7 p.m., Saturday (April 7) at 7 p.m., and Sunday (April 8), if necessary, at 2 p.m.  All games will be played in the Grightmire Arena on Market Street in Dundas. 

Last weekend Dundas won its fifth consecutive John Ross Robertson Cup championship by defeating the Whitby Dunlops 4-3 in games on the strength of the third overtime victory 5-4 over the Dunlops last Sunday at Whitby.  The winner of the Renwick Cup this weekend advances to the Allan Cup Tournament next week at Lloydminster, Saskatchewan. 

Davis scores series winner

McCoys win 5th consecutive Robertson Cup

By Larry Robertson; photos by Richard Zazulak  

WHITBY— Justin Davis’s seventh goal of the playoffs at 7:57 of the first overtime period gave Dundas Real McCoys a 5-4 victory over Whitby Dunlops and the McCoys fifth consecutive John Ross Robertson Cup title Sunday night in the Iroquois Sports Centre. Since the McCoys were formed in 2000, it has won the Robertson Cup eight times.

Dundaswon the best-of-seven playoff, 4-3 in games, capturing three of those games in overtime.  The Real McCoys will now play host to the Kenora Thistles, the Northern Ontario representatives in the best-of-three Renwick Cup playoff over the Easter Weekend.  The games are scheduled for Friday, April 6 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 7 at 7 p.m., and if necessary, Sunday, April 8 at 2 p.m. in the JL Grightmire Arena if necessary. The winner of the Renwick Cup will advance to the Allan Cup Tournament at Lloydminster, Saskatchewan from April 16 to 21, 2012.

Christie scored once and assisted on three scoring plays while Davis and Smith added a goal and two assists each.  Dan Pitre scored once and set up another as Steve Hurst wrapped up the scoring.  Davis, Smith, and Christie finished one-two-three in playoff scoring.  For Whitby, Chuck MacLennan, Brent Varty, Jason McAuley, and Shane Terry scored once each. 

“Well after a crazy week in which we played our two worst games (Wednesday and Friday) in the playoffs, we played our best playoff game Sunday and win the Robertson Cup again," said General Manager Don Robertson.

"Whitby is a tough team, and very well-balanced.  It was our veterans who led us to victory; going down 2-0 early in the first period didn’t even faze the bench.  As far as they were concerned we still had 56 minutes to play which clearly wasn’t enough, but the extra time was."

 “I can’t say enough about Bryan Worosz in net.  What a great job every time we needed him…a great kid," added Robertson.

 “This weekend will be pretty neat.  We have just got done with the Dunnies, which are the former World Champions and now we have to face the former Stanley Cup Champion (1907), Kenora Thistles.  Kenora hammered us pretty well in the first game of the 2011 Allan Cup Tournament in-front-of a sold-out crowd on day one at Kenora," said Robertson.  They’ll have a good club down here this weekend, and they will be playing a pretty good club from here as well."

Dan Torres scores 3 as Whitby evens series

DUNDAS— Dan Torres scored three times as Whitby downed Dundas 7-2 to even the best-of-seven Robertson Cup final at three games apiece last Friday night in the JL Grightmire Arena.

Steve Birch, McAuley, Peter MacKellar, and Nat Brooks with single goals completed the scoring doe the Dunlops.  Christie and Smith gave the Real McCoys an early 2-0 lead, but the club was unable to hold on to the lead.

Whitby breathing down their necks

WHITBY—McAuley scored twice and the Dunnies skated to a 6-2 win over the McCoys in game five of the championship final last Wednesday night in the Iroquois Sports Centre, and left Dundas supporters scratching their collective heads.

Jon Ross, Brooks, Chris Korte, and Shane scored once each.  MacLennan set up three of the Dunlops scoring plays.  Replying for the Real McCoys were Scott Mifsud with a goal and an assist, and Davis with one goal.  Both of the Dundas goals came on the powerplay.

Davis scores overtime series winner

WHITBY— Justin Davis’s goal set by Darryl Smith and Ryan Christie at 7:57 of the first overtime period gave Dundas Real McCoys a 5-4 victory over Whitby Dunlops and the club’s eighth John Ross Robertson Cup title Sunday night in the Iroquois Sports Centre.

Dundaswon the best-of-seven playoff 4-3 in games, capturing three of those games in overtime.  The Real McCoys will now play host to the Kenora Thistles, the Northern Ontario representatives in a best-of-three series over the Easter Weekend (Friday April 6 Kenora vs. Dundas, Saturday April 7 Kenora vs. Dundas, and Sunday April 8, if necessary Kenora vs. Dundas) for the Renwick Cup, and the right to advance to the Allan Cup Tournament at Lloydminster, Saskatchewan from April 16 to 21, 2012.

Christie scored once and assisted on three scoring plays while Davis and Smith added a goal and two assists each.  Dan Pitre scored once and set up another as Steve Hurst wrapped up the scoring.  For Whitby, Chuck MacLennan, Brent Varty, Jason McAuley, and Shane Terry scored once each. 

Ennaffati, McCoys in overdrive lead series 3-1

By Larry Robertson, photos by Richard Zazulak

DUNDAS—Omar Ennaffati’s powerplay slapshot at 13:52 of the first overtime period gave Dundas Real McCoys a 4-3 victory over the Whitby Dunlops and a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven John Ross Robertson Cup final Monday night in the JL Grightmire Arena.

In earlier action, Dundas took game one at Whitby 6-2 last Tuesday only to have the Dunlops stage a come from behind 7-4 victory over the McCoys last Friday night in the Grightmire Arena.  Saturday night, Dundas led 3-2 when the Dunnies tied the score with five seconds left in regulation time.  The McCoys got the game-winner just past the mid-point of the first overtime to set the stage for Monday night's game at Dundas.

Ennaffati’s game-winner came 12 seconds after Whitby had been caught with too many men on the ice at 13:40.  Dundas had successfully weathered a five-minute major to Mike Amodeo for checking from behind (plus automatic game misconduct) at 7:10. 

Game five of the series is Wednesday, March 28 in Whitby's Iroquois Sports Complex at 8 p.m.  If necessary Game 6 will be at Dundas on Friday, March 30 at 7:45 p.m. and Game 7 at Whitby on Sunday, April 1 at 4 p.m.

The winner of this series will play host to the Northern Ontario representative, Kenora Thistles in a best-of-three series on Easter Weekend (April 6-8, 2012) to determine which team will advance to the Allan Cup Tournament at Lloydminster, Saskatchewan from April 16 to 21, 2012.

"A couple of character wins in overtime have really helped us.  Whitby is a very good hockey club.  This series could still easily go seven games," said General Manager Don Robertson.  "(Ryan) Christie and (Mike) Amodeo both have to serve two-game suspensions, so we just have to keep lugging away."

"We have now used all three goalies in both series, which speaks our depth in goal.  We'll just have to see how it goes on from here.  Right now, Kenora (Thistles) is sitting and waiting to play somebody from down here."

Monday night's overtime had all the elements anyone could ask for.  Cam Watson narrowly missed a tip-in that would have ended the game at 2:02.  Two minutes later Whitby's MacKellar walked in on a breakaway from centre, and was stopped cold by Worosz.  Then Mark Jooris found himself on the doorstep, but there was nowhere to insert the key.

Watson made the heart race on breakaway off a giveaway during the club's five-minute major penalty, but Whitby's Joel Whitmarsh stood his ground and turned the play aside.  In turn, Chuck MacLennan missed the wide-open net with a certain game-winning shot at 8:23

At 13:40, the death-knell was sounded for the Dunlops.  They were caught with too men on the ice, and 12 seconds later Ennaffati unloaded his slapshot from the blueline and the rest is history.

In addition to Ennaffati, Dan Pitre, TJ Sakaluk, and Darryl Smith scored for Dundas.  MacLennan, Garett Winder, and Colin Baker replied for the Dunlops.

Jacksonnets overtime winner

Brad Jackson's third goal at 11:15 of the first overtime period gave the Real McCoys a 4-3 victory over Whitby and a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven final last Saturday.

Jacksonin addition to his three goals picked up one assist.  Ryan Christie added a goal and an assist.  Justin Davis set up two scoring plays including the game-winner.  Peter MacKellar scored two powerplay goals for Whitby with Mike Pawlak adding a third powerplay marker.

MacKellar Whitby's top dog

Whitbyon the strength of three goals by MacKellar downed Dundas 7-4 to tie the best-of-seven series at a game apiece at Dundas last Friday night.

Also scoring for Whitby were Adam Van Dam, Martin Kearns, Andrew Gibbons, and Shane Terry.  Replying for Dundas were Jeff White, Watson, Mike Kennedy, and Scott Mifsud.

Smith spearheads attack

Smith with three goals, two of them shorthanded, and a pair of assists paced the Real McCoys to a 6-2 victory over the Dunlops in the opening game of the final series last Tuesday.

Also scoring for Dundas were Jeff MacMillan, Watson and Brad Kenny with single goals.  Christie set up three scoring plays while Ennaffati and Davis assisted on two each.  Replying for Whitby were Winder and Jason McAuley. 

Jackson nets overtime winner at Whitby

WHITBY—Brad Jackson's third goal at 11:15 of the first overtime period gave Dundas Real McCoys a 4-3 victory over the Whitby Dunlops an a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven John Ross Robertson Cup final Saturday night in the Iroquois Sports Complex.

Game four of the series will be played in the Grightmire Arena, Monday night at 7:45 p.m.  Game five is at Whitby, March 28 at 8 p.m.  If necessary Game 6 will be at Dundas on Friday, March 30 at 7:45 p.m. and Game 7 at Whitby on Sunday, April 1 at 4 p.m.

The winner of this series will play host to the Northern Ontario representative in the best-of-three series over Easter Weekend (April 6-8, 2012) to determine which team will advance to the Allan Cup Tournament at Lloydminster, Saskatchewan from April 16 to 21, 2012.

Jacksonin addition to his three goals picked up one assist.  Ryan Christie rounded out the scoring with a goal and an assist.  Justin Davis set up two scoring plays including the game-winner.  Peter MacKellar scored two powerplay goals for Whitby with Mike Pawlak adding a third powerplay marker. 

Smith spearheads Real McCoys attack

WHITBY-- Darryl Smith with three goals, two of them shorthanded, and a pair of assists paced Dundas Real McCoys to a 6-2 victory over the Whitby Dunlops in the opening game of the best-of-seven John Ross Robertson Cup final Tuesday night in the Iroquois Sports Complex.

Game two of the final is Friday night (March 23) in the JL Grightmire Arena at Dundas at 7:45 p.m.  The remaining games in the series are: Game 3 at Whitby on Saturday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m.; Game 4 at Dundas on Monday, March 26 at 7:45 p.m.; and if necessary, Game 5 at Whitby on Wednesday, March 28 at 8 p.m.; Game 6 at Dundas on Friday, March 30 at 7:45 p.m., and Game 7 at Whitby on Sunday, April 1 at 4 p.m.

The winner of this series will play host to the Northern Ontario representative in the best-of-three series over Easter Weekend (April 6-8, 2012) to determine which team will advance to the Allan Cup Tournament at Lloydminster, Saskatchewan from April 16 to 21, 2012.

Also scoring for Dundas were Jeff MacMillan, Cam Watson and Brad Kenny with single goals.  Ryan Christie set up three scoring plays while Omar Ennaffati Justin Davis assisted on two each.  Replying for Whitby were Garett Winder and Jason McAuley. 

Jooris returns for one more Robertson Cup

DUNDAS—Dundas Real McCoys play their first home game of the John Ross Robertson Cup final Friday night (March 23) against the Whitby Dunlops in the JL Grightmire Arena at 7:45 p.m.

The two clubs opened the best-of-seven series Tuesday night (March 20) at Whitby.  That game marked the return of the club's all-time leading scorer Mark Jooris to the lineup.  Jooris coached the Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League Markham Waxers to a 24-25 won-lost record for 62 points and fourth place in the Northern Division.  They ousted Huntsville 3-0 in games only to lose to Newmarket 4-2 in games in overtime.

"We are thrilled to have Jooris back in the fold," said Dundas General Manager Don Robertson.  "He may be the oldest player in our league (Allan Cup Hockey), but he brings us a wealth of experience and will lead our young kids by example."  Jooris, in 12 seasons with the McCoys has scored 131 goals and set up 332 others for 463 points in 169 regular season games.  In playoff action, he is 47-115 for 162 points in 89 games.

Dundasfinished second in Allan Cup Hockey in 2011-12 with 15 wins, six losses, four overtime losses and three shootout losses while Whitby finished first with a record of 21 and 7 for 42 points.  In ACH semifinal play, the Dunlops eliminated Orillia Sunrise Toyota Tundras while the McCoys sidelined the Brantford Blast.  Both Dundas and Whitby won their series 4-1 in games.

Whitby took the seven-game regular season series between the two clubs 4-3 in games, however, the four-time defending Robertson Cup champions rallied to win the final three games as part of their eight-game winning streak that ran from January 13 through February 17, 2012.  Included in that run was a portion of Dundas's eight-game winning streak at home, which began on December 2nd. 

The Real McCoys, which have been in existence for 12 years, have won the OHA Senior AAA title seven times.

The remaining games of the best-of-seven Robertson Cup final are:  Game 2 at Dundas on Friday, March 23 at 7:45 p.m.,  Game 3 at Whitby on Saturday, March 24 at 6:30 p.m.; Game 4 at Dundas on Monday, March 26 at 7:45 p.m.; and if necessary, Game 5 at Whitby on Wednesday, March 28 at 8 p.m.; Game 6 at Dundas on Friday, March 30 at 7:45 p.m., and Game 7 at Whitby on Sunday, April 1 at  4 p.m. 

Statistics

Sponsors