OMHA Midget AAA All-Star Game Goes the Distance in Pickering
Thursday, February 02, 2012
Richmond Hill: - Forty of the top Midget players in the OMHA took to the ice for the 2012 OMHA AAA Midget All-Star Game on Saturday January 28th, 2012 at the Pickering Recreation Complex, hosted by the Ajax Pickering Raiders.
The Eastern AAA Midget All-Stars [ETA] and South Central AAA Midget All-Stars [SCTA] needed a shootout to decide the contest. The ETA would come out victorious, scoring twice in the shootout to take the closely contested affair 5-4.
The Midget All-Star event provides the OMHA the opportunity to recognize and highlight the talents of Midget players and coaches. It also provides an opportunity for the OMHA to actively interact with the players and their families. The opportunity to play with players they regularly play against offers the player more than just the experience of simply playing a game.
“Midget hockey is among the most exciting hockey to watch," said OMHA President Joyce Junker. "All-Star games such as these provide great opportunities to see the top Midget players recognized by their respective leagues all under one roof."
The game seesawed in the first period, with both teams scoring twice. CJ Nicholson opened the scoring for the South Central All-Stars while Tim Pandachuck of the Eastern All-Stars answered. Hamilton native, Neil Aird would give the SCTA All-Stars their second lead of the night, netting an unassisted goal half way through the first. Joey Vocino and Keegan Cairns assisted on the Matt Simons equalizer for the ETA All-Stars before the end of the frame.
The second period began where the first left off, as it was the SCTA All-Star, Andrew Polo grabbing his second helper of the night on a Jesse Pereira goal. The ETA All-Stars would again tie it up late in the second from Liam McDonnell.
The Eastern AAA Midget All-Stars would take their first lead in the third period from a Dan Michel goal while Aaron Spivak picked up his second assist of the night. Jarrod Peacock would tie it up for the South Central All-Stars late in the period to send it to a shootout.
In the shootout, only Joey Vocino and Liam McDonnell converted while goaltender, Mason Holl held down the fort to secure the Eastern AAA Midget All-Star team the victory.
Game MVPs as selected by OHL scouts in attendance were Tim Pandachuck for the ETA and Jarrod Peacock for the SCTA.