North Dundas Senior Rockets win EOSHL Championship

by Murray Link

For the second year in a row, the North Dundas Senior Rockets Hockey team has won the Eastern Ontario Super Hockey League (EOSHL) Championships.

The Rockets capped off the best of five series with a 9-4 victory over the Gananoque Islanders on Sun, April 2.

The Rockets were heavy favorites to repeat as league champs as they had an impressive regular season record of 18 wins and only 2 losses. This year’s playoffs consisted of 3 rounds to make it to the finals, all playoff series consisting of the best of 5 games…..ultimately 9 wins to take it all.

In the first round, which started on Feb 25, the Rockets easily beat out the South Grenville Rangers in 3 straight games…outscoring their opponents 21-11 over the three game span. The second round for the Rockets was a much closer affair. Facing the South Stormont

Mustangs, who had a regular season record of 15-2-2-2… ..finishing only 3 points out of first place. Although the series only lasted 3 games, the scores were much closer with the Rockets outscoring the Mustangs 15-10.

The third and final series was a re-match of last years championship vs the Gananoque Islanders. Game 1 took place on Saturday, March 25, in front of a capacity crowd in Chesterville. The Rockets took a commanding lead and never looked back winning 9-2. The first star of the game was Rockets goalie Matt Jenkins with a 34 save performance. Game 2 took place in Gananoque the following day, with over 200 local fans making the trek west. Game 2 was a much closer affair with the score only 1-0 over halfway through until the Rockets broke open the scoring in the 3rd and overtook the Islanders 7-3.

The stage was set back in Chesterville on Saturday, April 1st. Once again, in front of a capacity crowd in the “Barn” – as locals love to call their beloved rink – an April fools joke of epic proportions took place with Gananoque blowing out the Rockets 10-2 in a high scoring affair. Rockets head coach Rob Sadler suggested that the loss in the third game was the result of over confidence on the part of the Rockets and the Islanders were able to take advantage of that. As a result, the Rockets and their devoted fans travelled on Sunday, April 2 to Gananoque to try and win the EOSHL Cup on the opponent team’s ice. Game 4, which was less than 24 hours after a huge loss for the Rockets seemed to be a completely opposite affair. Sadler suggested his team was “definitely hungry and wanted to end the series today”. With North Dundas leading 2-0 after the first and 6-3 after the second, there was no question that they were going to win with a final score of 9-4. Mike Macnamee, the teams assistant captain, was named most valuable player of the game, tallying 3 goals and 2 assists.

Coach Sadler mentioned that winning back-to-back championships was special but another historic note about the game was the return of 50-year-old Chesterville native and veteran hockey player Todd Marcellus. Marcellus (last year’s captain) was nominated to accept the EOSHL cup as this year’s captain Derek Froats was unable to play the final game after blocking a shot a day earlier and suffering a severe groin injury.

ND United Soccer Club 2023 season is fast approaching

getting ready to kick off our 2023 season.

submitted by Julian Whittam, NDUSC President

North Dundas United Soccer club is a volunteer-run organization that offers soccer programs to youth and adults at the soccer fields in Chesterville and Mountain. We're

Our youth programs are for children aged 2 to 16. Schedules and registration information can be found at www.ndusc. ca, but most age groups have one game a week and one practice a week. The season starts at the end of May and runs until August with end of year fun-days or tournaments for all age groups. We are an Ontario Soccer certified organization. General questions can be directed to secretary@ ndusc.ca

We're expecting close to 400 participants this year, and are particularly keen to offer more programs for older children aged 11 to 16.

Our adult programs have men's and women's teams competing in the Ottawa Carleton Soccer league. New players are welcome, particularly for the women's team. If adults are interested in playing, they can contact president@ndusc.ca .

We count on parent volunteers to help offer the programs that we run and are always looking for volunteers to help on the field or behind the scenes. We are an Ontario Soccer accredited organization and offer instruction and support for new coaches and parents interested in getting involved. Head-coaches at both the Chesterville and Mountain fields are available to help new coaches or volunteers get familiar with things. People can also get involved behind the scenes to help with organizing the season and running the club, including things that don't need any soccer experience.

Registration is still open on our website for children and adults, but will close soon.

L alee Carruthers