DUNDAS—“I will never apologize for being the Robertson Cup Champions. With a great executive like this, and a fabulous group of players and support staff, the winning tradition of our franchise, and our charity work is unparalleled in recent Hamilton sports history,” said Dundas Real McCoys General Manager Don Robertson following the 103rd Allan Cup Tournament at Kenora, Ontario last Saturday.

Clarenville Caribous from Newfoundland scored four goals in the third period to eliminate the Real McCoys 4-1 in the Allan Cup semifinal final last Friday. The pervious day, Dundas bolstered by four fresh bodies shutout Saskatchewan champion South East Prairie Thunder 3-0. In earlier action, the shorthanded McCoys were edged by the Alberta champion Bentley Generals 4-3, after the twice held the lead in the game. They lost the opener to Kenora Thistles 6-1.

“We rolled the dice on some former National Hockey Leaguers to join us for the Allan Cup, but it didn’t work out, and that’s my fault. If we had won, it would have been great. It was a mistake, and I made it.”

“The team (Clarenville Caribous) that beat us won the title. They had 50 players to choose from and other teams had access to over 40 players. We didn’t, and we knew that, so we took a chance based on what I knew we were facing. People who win take chances, this one didn’t work, but we are still the John Ross Robertson Cup Champions for the fourth year in a row,” added Robertson.

The Dundas Real McCoys, on the other hand, have been in existence for 11 years, and during that time, they have been to the Allan Cup Tournament six times, four consecutive times since the 2007-08 season. The club has won the OHA Senior AAA title, an impressive seven times during that stretch.

Since the McCoys formation in 2000, it has played 326 regular season games, winning 186, losing 112 with two ties, and 26 overtime losses. The best season for the McCoys was 2001-02 when it posted 26 wins and six losses in 32 games. In the spring of 2003, the McCoys played host to the Allan Cup Tournament. It was their second appearance in the competition.

“Our guys paid a huge price to take a week off work to represent our community, and they did it well, some don’t live here, but they represent our community well, and we should be thankful. They also worked their guts out a time zone away from home,” said Robertson.

“Our goaltending (Jeff Maund and Bryan Worosz) was as good as anybodies, and our organization was well respected from the time we got there. Nobody had players play as hard as we did, we just didn’t have enough guys there at the start, which cost us the Allan Cup.”

Against the Caribous, Jerry Galway scored on a powerplay with 10 second left to play to end goalkeeper Jason Churchill’s shutout bid. Dale Sullivan, Ryan Delaney, Chris Sparks, and Brad Crann scored for Clarenville.

Mark Jooris opened the scoring for Dundas against East Prairie Thunder with Cam Watson and Ryan Christie adding the others. Dundas won in spite of being outshot 55-26. Maund for his efforts was named Player of the Game.

Paul Lawson, Dan Pitre and Watson scored for Dundas in its 4-3 loss to Bentley while in the opener last Monday, Mike Kennedy scored for Dundas on a powerplay in the first three minutes of the second period in the McCoys loss to Kenora. Sean Hughes and Jon Johnson scored twice each for the Thistles with Jeff Richards and Matt Johnson adding singles.

The 103rd Allan Cup Canadian Senior AAA Hockey Championship Tournament runs from April 11 through 16, 2011 at Kenora. The Real McCoys were scheduled to play the host Kenora Thistles, Monday, April 11 at 8 p.m. in the Kenora Arena. Game two was set for Tuesday at 8 p.m. against the Bentley Generals from Alberta.

“We’ll have a short bench for the first two games, but we decided to go younger this year for the Allan Cup. The down side is, if these guys can get enough time off work. We feel good about our group and our goaltending is strong unlike 2008-09, which cost a shot at the Cup," said General Manager Don Robertson.

"If this roll of the dice on going with young guys for the Allan Cup and signing veteran guys who might make it fails, the blame comes down on me, no question about it. I’m okay with that because it gave us the best chance to win if it works."

Three goals by TJ Sakaluk and a pair by Ryan Christie provided the McCoys with the seventh game and the best-of-seven John Ross Robertson Cup Major League Hockey championship 4-3 in games. Last Tuesday, Dundas fell 5-2 to the Vipers in the Asphodel-Norwood Community Centre. The Real McCoys are representing the Ontario Hockey Association and the Ontario Hockey Federation at the Allan Cup.

Scoring for Dundas last Thursday in addition to Sakaluk's three goals including one on the powerplay and another shorthanded and Christie's pair were Mike Amodeo, Mike Kennedy, and Cam Watson with singles as Dundas' special teams came to life with two powerplay goals and three shorthanded. The final two McCoys goals were scored into the empty net. In the final four games, Dundas scored twice on 23 opportunities while Norwood went zero for 22 chances. The club went through three games without a powerplay goal.

Shawn Griffin, Chris Johnston, Joe Curry, Shannon McNevan, and Jordan Freeland replied for Norwood in the final game. The Vipers took command of the game early and built a 3-1 lead and appeared to have taken command of both the game and the series before Dundas stormed back to win.

"The veteran team beat the hard-working team by working just as hard (as them). We had guys like (Justin) Davis and (Tom) Brown blocking big shots in game seven, and that’s the way good teams keep winning," noted Robertson.

"I have said (in the past) how well coached the Vipers are, but it’s time to salute Spud (Ken Mann) and Bernie (Ron Bernacci) who have taken us to four straight Allan Cups. I’m not sure there is a better coaching staff in Canada…there are many ways to coach, but these guys get the job done; a great job every year. The entire organization is proud of them and thank them."

Last Tuesday at Norwood, Freeland got the only goal of the third period, his second of the game into an empty net with a minute left to play. Cory Johnston and Curry got their other goals while Watson and Paul Lawson replied for Dundas in the wide-open affair. The McCoys outshot Norwood 53-46 in the losing effort.

2011 Allan Cup Schedule

Monday April 11, 2011 – 8:00 p.m.
Dundas Real McCoys vs. Kenora Thistles

Tuesday April 12, 2011 – 8:00 p.m.
Bentley Generals vs. Dundas Real McCoys

Thursday April 14, 2011 – 2:00 p.m.
3rd in D2 vs. 2nd in D1

Thursday April 14, 2011 – 8:00 p.m.
3rd in D1 vs. 2nd in D2

Friday April 15, 2011 – 2:00 p.m.
Winner from game 7 or 8 vs. Champion of D1

Friday April 15, 2011 – 8:00 p.m.
Winner from game 7 or 8 vs. Champion of D2

Saturday April 16, 2011 – 3:00 p.m. Live on TSN
GOLD MEDAL GAME - Winner from Game 9 or 10 vs. Winner from Game 9 or 10

John Ross Robertson Cup
MLH Championship Final Playoff
Norwood vs. Dundas
At Dundas         At Norwood

(1) Friday, March 25      (2) Sunday, March 27
Dundas 8, Norwood 4     Norwood 4, Dundas 3 OT

(3) Friday April 1         (4) Saturday April 2
Dundas 4, Norwood 3       Norwood 3, Dundas 2

(5) Sunday April 3       (6) Tuesday April 5
Dundas 3, Norwood 2      Norwood 5, Dundas

(7) Thursday April 7
Dundas 8, Norwood 5

DUNDAS—For both the Dundas Real McCoys and the Brantford Blast their seasons ride on the outcome of the final two games of the Major League Hockey best-of-seven semifinal playoff series.

Dundas leads the series 3-2 in games with game six in the JL Grightmire Arena, Thursday (March 17) at 7:30 p.m. Game seven, if necessary, will be played at Brantford Friday (March 18) at 7:30 p.m.

“We knew it was going to be tough to win this series. We worked and played smart Friday, but Sunday we had some players away and it cost us," said Dundas General Manager Don Robertson. "We can’t be missing guys and go with a short bench in the playoffs and expect to have any success."

"The game that sends another team golfing is always the toughest (game) to win, and it isn’t going to get any easier. We have played well at home, and the guys will be ready for whatever comes at them. It’s been a great series so far."

Last Sunday, six players did all the scoring for Brantford; Kyle McNeil, Travis Lisabeth,

Jon Jankus, Greg Bullock, Chad Spurr, and Jeremy Bloomfield netted one each. Rob DeCiantis replied for the McCoys with two goals and singles by Dave Lylyk, Cam Watson, and Ryan Christie. Ironically, DeCiantis (two goals, two assists) and Mike Kennedy (four assists) had four-point games, but were unable to muffle the Blast.

Last Friday in Dundas, in addition to Sakaluk, Shawn Shewchuk, Omar Ennaffati, Justin Davis, and Watson scored once each. The Blast goals went to Chris Sebastian, Matt Turek, and Bryan Muir. In the previous game at Brantford, Jankus scored three times with McNeil and Turek picking up single goals. Lylyk and Christie replied for the McCoys.

MLH Semifinal Playoff
Dundas vs. Brantford
Dundas leads 2-0

Remaining Games

Last Sunday, Brad Kenny’s overtime goal lifted the McCoys into a two-game lead in their best-of-seven Major League Hockey semifinal series as they topped the Brantford Blast 6-5 in extra time in the JL Grightmire Arena.

Last Friday at Brantford, the McCoys doubled the count on Brantford 4-2 as Mike Kennedy, Cam Watson, Justin Davis, and Shawn Shewchuk each recorded two-point nights. Kennedy, Watson, and Davis had a goal and an assist each with Shewchuk setting up two scoring plays. TJ Sakaluk added the other goal on a powerplay. Kyle McNeil and Travis Lisabeth replied for the Blast.

The two teams met again Wednesday night in the Brantford Community Centre. Game four is Friday, March 11 back in the Grightmire at 7:30 p.m. The two clubs tied 5-5 during their 10-game regular season series with one game ending in Brantford’s favour in overtime.

"You can't ask for a better start. We played smartly, I thought in both games, we kept it simple which is our player style," said General Manager Don Robertson.

"This may very well be a long series. I thought (Jeff) Maund was strong in game one, and (Bryan) Worosz got the job done on Sunday. This Friday at home will be a big game for us."

MLH Semifinal Playoff
Dundas vs. Brantford
Dundas leads 2-0

Remaining Games

Chris Sebastian’s first of two goals off a second-period tip-in was all the Brantford Blast needed to defeat Dundas 6-3 last Friday in the JL Grightmire Arena.

Ryan Christie scored twice and added an assist for Dundas last Friday with Paul Lawson adding a single. Brantford's other goals went to Travis Lisabeth, Kyle McNeil, Matt Turek, and Chad Spurr.

The McCoys still hold second spot with 24 points on 10 wins, eight losses, three overtime losses, and a shootout loss. Brantford's win moved it to within two points of the McCoys. Norwood Vipers, which split its weekend series, losing 5-4 to the Dunlops at Whitby last Saturday and winning 3-2 over Orillia-Coldwater Tundra at home the next night, is third with 23 points, and one game left to play...against the Blast on Sunday at Brantford.

The Real McCoys control their own destiny playing Brantford Friday night at 7:45 p.m. in the Grightmire Arena, and again Sunday at home against the Orillia Tundra. Game time is 7 p.m.

The match with the Tundra was postponed because of a scheduling issue with Copps Coliseum on Sunday, December 12.

"Norwood's spilt over the weekend to put them into the playoffs with the seeding still left to decide who plays who. We want home ice for the playoffs, why I’m not sure, but we feel we will be better at home as we move along."

"It has been a great race this year, and we are still sorting out the match-ups for the playoffs on the last weekend of the season," Robertson added.

"We have filled our last three cards with players who won't be able to play regularly right away, but will be there for us in the long run,” said Robertson. “They are alltime McCoy scoring leader Mark Jooris, former Olympian Ryan Kuwabara and former Washington Capital Scotty Walker.”

Jooris, five feet, 11 inches and 180 pounds is back with the McCoys for an 11th time. The 47-year-old centre is the Real McCoys alltime scoring leader. Following a lengthy European hockey career, the Burlington native returned to Canada, and signed with the Dundas Real McCoys in 200-01. Since that time, he has scored 132 goals and assisted on 327 scoring plays for 459 points during regular season play.

Jooris was a member of team Canada on three occasions, and has been coaching the Oakville Blades of the Provincial Junior A Hockey League this season.

Following a 15-year career in Japan, Kuwabara signed on with the McCoys last season. The six-foot, 205-pound right-winger scored 10 times in 14 MLH games while adding 22 assists for 32 points in regular season play. The 38-year-old Hamilton native played in six World Championships and once in the Olympic Games with Japan. He has been coaching the OPJHL Hamilton Red Wings this season.

Former National Hockey Leaguer, Scott Walker, 37, is the last of the trio signed by Robertson. Walker played 15 seasons in the NHL scoring 151 goals in 829 games while assisting on 246 scoring plays. During the 2004-05 NHL Lockout season he played for both the Cambridge Hornets and the Real McCoys. Scott has played for the Vancouver Canucks, Nashville Predators, Carolina Hurricanes, as well as Washington.

The five-foot, 10-inch, 189-pound centre has played for Team Canada four times, and on three occasions, the Cambridge, Ontario native appeared in the World Championships. Walker has been the volunteer coach of the Ontario Hockey League Guelph Storm.

By Larry Robertson; photos by Rick Zazulak

DUNDAS—Dundas Real McCoys paced by Shawn Shewchuk and Mike Amodeo’s two-goal performances captured its first home game of the 2010-11 Major League Hockey season by defeating Brantford Blast 8-4 last Friday in the JL Grightmire Arena.

The win ended the Real McCoys eight-game home winless streak, and moved them firmly into second place in the standings by four points over their long-time rivals with a record of 10 wins, seven losses, three overtime losses and a shootout loss.

Brantford with a record of 10 and 11 fell to fourth place when the Norwood Vipers downed the Whitby Dunlops 7-6 Sunday at Norwood.

"We are too good a hockey club not win at home, but thank goodness that monkey is off our backs," said General Manager Don Robertson. “It was a pretty good hockey game as we out worked them, and our goalie shut them down, again."

It does not sound like a tall order except all four games are at home, and three of those games are back-to-back against their long-time foe, the Brantford Blast.

The action begins in earnest for the McCoys Friday (February 11) night in the JL Grightmire Arena against the Blast. Game time is 7:45 p.m.

Last Friday night, the McCoys downed the Blast 9-6 in the Brantford Community Centre before falling 4-3 to the Dunlops at Whitby to conclude their 12 game road schedule with nine wins, two losses and an overtime loss. Dundas has won four of the past seven games against Brantford, and has outscored them 42-38 in those games.

Four teams will qualify for the playoffs.

“We have had two good games on the road, and now we are coming back home to finish the schedule. We have four straight at home, knowing that we will make a statement to the rest of the League. We’ll take our home rink back with some wins,” said General Manager Don Robertson.

“We need a couple more wins to grab a playoff spot and home ice advantage. We also have three player cards left to bolster the roster with, and we still hope to get some of the guys that we are after.”

Rumours persist that one of those players is alltime scoring leader Mark Jooris.

The following night in Whitby’s Iroquois Arena, Matt Smith scored twice for Dundas with McLean adding a single. Peter MacKellar scored three times and added an assist with Adam Van Dam rounding out the scoring for Whitby.

Brantford with back-to-back wins and Orillia Tundra with a split in its games over the weekend (beating Whitby Dunlops 4-3 in a shootout last Saturday before falling 9-5 to the Blast the following night at home) moved into second place in the standings.

Their third consecutive loss dropped the McCoys into third place. The club is tied with the Blast in second spot with 20 points, but sits in second based on wins. The loss to Brantford means Dundas dangerously close to being overtaken by the Norwood Vipers (18 points), and the Orillia Tundra (16 points), which General Manager Don Robertson knows very well.

“We played well enough to win in Brantford, but we missed some great chances to put it away, overall though it was a good effort.”

“The club has a big weekend coming up on the road and we need some points because the standings are getting tight with four teams wanting one of three spots,” said Robertson.

Friday night (February 4) the McCoys play again in Brantford’s Community Centre at 7:30 p.m. and the following day they meet the Dunlops at 6:30 p.m. in Whitby’s Iroquois Sports Complex.

Action heats up this weekend as Dundas meets the Brantford Blast head on Friday (January 28) at 7:30 p.m. in the Brantford Community Centre. In other action, the Orillia Tundra travel to Whitby to play the Dunnies on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. in the Iroquois Arena while the Blast wind up the weekend action on Sunday when they travel to Orillia for a match in West Orillia Sports Centre. Game time is 7:45 p.m.

Whitby leads the loop with 14 wins, two losses, two overtime losses, and a shootout loss following back-to-back wins over the McCoys and Norwood Vipers (6-2) on the weekend. Norwood, which lost both of its games on the weekend (Orillia 5-2 last Sunday), failed to gain any ground on Dundas.

The second place McCoys are of 8-6-2-1 in 17 games, however, they hold two games in hand on both the Vipers and Whitby.

Dundas outshot Whitby 39-34, but the edge went to the Dunlops as they scored twice on five powerplay chances while the McCoys went zero for four.

One can almost hear the late Casey Stengel muttering about the 1962 New York Mets…"Can't anybody here play this game?"

"Friday night (January 21), we get the Dunlops who have been in first all year. It should be fun, and a good test for us, said Robertson. In the lone game of the weekend, Whitby travels to Dundas for a 7:45 p.m. faceoff against the McCoys in the Grightmire.

The Dunnies lead the loop both on the powerplay (26.26 percent) and on the penalty kill (88.17) while Dundas is second with special team marks of 23.40 percent and 82.14 percent.

Selected from the more than 12,500 submissions, the community of fewer than 25,000 people located northwest of Hamilton received a National Hockey League pre-season game between the Ottawa Senators and the Buffalo Sabres plus $100,000 in arena upgrades and a visit from Hockey Night in Canada.

"On behalf of the McCoys organization, we are proud of Barry and Leslie and the "Hockeyville" gang for what they have done. It was great to have them all on Friday, and for them to receive such a show of appreciation from the fans," added Robertson.

Scoring for Dundas were DeCiantis, Justin Davis, TJ Sakaluk, and Steve Hurst with Dan Pitre and Christie setting up two goals each as the club held leads of 2-0 and 4-2 against the Vipers who kept up a relentless attack against the McCoys. In addition to Wilson's three goals, Norwood got a pair of goals from Darren Doherty. Cory Johnston set up three scoring plays.

The Dundas Real McCoys are hot and riding a three-game winning streak in Major League Hockey these days following their back-to-back wins over the Brantford Blast (7-3) last Friday at Brantford and two days later against the Orillia Tundra (5-4) at Orillia. Their streak started on December 19 with a 6-4 win over the Norwood Vipers at Norwood, and has vaulted them into second place.

The club's success is due in large part of the play of TJ Sakaluk, who leads the league in scoring with 30 points with 15 across the board (15 games, 15 goals, and 15 assists) as he connected for four goals and an assist on the weekend. Teammates Shawn Shewchuk and Brad Kenny hold down the fifth and sixth spots in League scoring.

Shewchuk set up seven scoring plays on the weekend and has seven goals and 19 assists in 15 games for 26 points. Kenny bagged two goals and set up three more for 25 points (12-13) in 14 matches.

That night, the McCoys will say a special thank you to Leslie Watson and Barry Forth, the Co-Chairs of the "Gotta Be Dundas" Kraft Hockeyville Committee that began and completed Dundas’ quest to be Kraft Hockeyville 2010.

Selected from the more than 12,500 submissions, the community of fewer than 25,000 people located northwest of Hamilton received a National Hockey League pre-season game between the Ottawa Senators and the Buffalo Sabres plus $100,000 in arena upgrades and a visit from Hockey Night in Canada.

The "Gotta Be Dundas" volunteers will be the guests of the Real McCoys and Com/Choice Realty, and Forth and Watson will be the recipients of a gift from the community.

The same night, the local folks will get a chance to see the McCoys re-jigged line up featuring two new faces and three not so new faces.

The new faces include defenceman Allan Rourke and goalkeeper Jeff Maund.

Rourke was a sixth-round Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick in the 1998 NHL Entry Draft. He has played 55 NHL games for Carolina Hurricanes, New York Islanders, and the Edmonton Oilers. He scored once, had four assists, and had a +4 plus-minus rating. In eight American Hockey League seasons, he played 458 games, scored 52 goals, and had 113 assists. He had a -3 rating.

Maund played two seasons in the American Hockey League with the Norfolk Admirals (2000-01) and the Providence Bruins (2001-02). That was followed by six seasons in Europe with Metallurg Magnitogorsk in Russia, Ritten-Renon [SV] in Italy, Vienna Capitals in Austria, Ingolstadt [ERC] in Germany, Riga 2000 [HK] in Belarus, and finally the last three season of his European career (2006-2009) with Cortina [SG] in Italy.

Also returning is Mike Kennedy who was drafted 97th overall by the Minnesota North Stars in the 1991 NHL Entry Draft. He played 152 career NHL games scoring 16 goals and 36 assists for 52 points with Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, and the New York Islanders. From 1999 to 2005, he played in the DEL in Germany. In 2000, he helped the Munich Barons win the championship. He played from 2005-06 through 2009-10 with the McCoys.

“Maund played last Friday night, and he may have been the difference in winning and losing as our goalie out played theirs (Brett Leggat). Maunder comes with high standards in the AHL and in the Elite League in Italy, and he brings experience. He will replace Dan Turple, who is now at Police College in Aylmer, and we couldn’t be happier for him (Turple) because he has worked to join the Hamilton Police Service for some time. Dan is just a great human and we know he’ll join us again as time permits," added Robertson.

“We are excited about the last nine games of the schedule, six of which are at home. We think we can make this club as good as any that we have had in the past, and with some luck the club will take us where we want to go, and make all of 'Hockeyville' proud of us.“

Last Friday at Brantford, Sakaluk scored three times with Kenny adding a pair. Matt Smith and Galway added one each as Maund turned in a sterling performance. Brantford outshot The McCoys 41-36, but could only beat him three times. Two nights later (Sunday) at Orillia, Sakaluk netted two more goals with Cam Watson, Scott Charbonneau, and Paul Lawson adding one each. Both teams fired 52 shots at each other. Shewchuk set up four of the goals.

That night the McCoys will resume their 2010-11 Major League Hockey schedule at home when they face the Norwood Vipers in the JL Grightmire Arena at 7:45 p.m. This Friday night (January 7), the McCoys with a re-configured line-up will play their first game of 2011 against the Brantford Blast in the Brantford Community Centre. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.

Selected from the more than 12,500 submissions, the community of fewer than 25,000 people located northwest of Hamilton received the NHL pre-season game and $100,000 in arena upgrades plus a visit from Hockey Night in Canada.

The "Gotta Be Dundas" volunteers will be the guests of the Real McCoy’s and Com/Choice Realty for the event, and Forth and Watson will be the recipients of a gift from the community.

“Without question these two people need to be recognized and there is no better place to do that than at the Arena," said Real McCoys President and General Manager Don Robertson.

“Leslie’s idea, and Barry’s drive and creativity showed us all what it takes to showcase and galvanize a community through their passion and determination. We should all be proud of them."

Their work concluded on Tuesday, September 28th with a National hockey League pre-season game between the Buffalo Sabres and Ottawa Senators in JL Grightmire Arena, home to the Major League Hockey Real McCoys.

The January 14th game will be the first one at home for the new-look McCoys since before the Christmas Break when Dundas and Norwood played a nail biter in the Grightmire. The Vipers won in a shootout 5-4.

“We used the Christmas Break to make some changes to the hockey club; changes I think will position us better to be more competitive on a nightly basis. The changes aren’t complete at this point, but they should be before we return home on January 14th," said Robertson, “Some of the changes we had little choice to make and some just needed to be done."

With a rise in popularity comes an increase in skill level, intensity and competition that can increase the possibility of injury. As a full-contact sport that takes place on the ice with fast-moving players equipped with sticks, pucks and skate blades, hockey’s risk for injury is always high.

Hockey players commonly suffer injuries to the head, shoulder, elbow, wrist, back, hip and knee, but concussion is the greatest concern. A player need not be knocked unconscious to have a concussion. Warning signs of concussion include:

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of Coordination
• Vague sense of “not feeling right”

Concussions and many other serious hockey injuries are preventable. “Whenever I talk to young players, I always say the same things,” says Dr. Michael J. Stuart, a leading orthopedist and chief medical officer for USA Hockey. “Never use your stick; never use your head as a weapon; never leave your feet to deliver a hit; never do anything at the expense of the health and safety of your opponent or yourself. I try to show them that you don’t have to kill the other guy to separate him from the puck.”

Smart players take the right precautions on and off the ice. In addition to altering the way they play the game, players can take these prevention measures:

• Have a pre-season medical examination by a trainer or doctor to make sure they’re ready for play.
• Participate in a sports conditioning program to stay in game-shape.
• Use high-quality equipment and replace old worn-out gear.
• Understand the rules of the game and good sportsmanship.

The STOP (for Sports Trauma and Overuse Prevention) Sports Injuries campaign—launched last spring by AOSSM and a group of other health-related organizations—aims to arm the public with information and tools to prevent, recognize and treat the long-term consequences of sports overuse and trauma injuries to young people. Led by Dr. James Andrews, the renowned surgeon for America’s favorite sports superstars, the STOP Sports Injuries coalition members—including major medical centers, doctors, trainers and youth sports coaches—have all pledged to advocate healthy play for young athletes in all sports.

The STOP Sports Injuries campaign has created educational materials and public service announcements, and plans to research trends in children’s sports injuries and recruit additional high-profile groups and individuals to spread its prevention message. Visit the campaign website at www.STOPSportsInjuries.org for more information about hockey and other sports’ injuries, treatment and prevention.

The STOP Sports Injuries campaign was initiated by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) and includes a comprehensive public outreach program focused on the importance of sports safety—specifically relating to overuse and trauma injuries. The initiative not only raises awareness and provides education on injury reduction, but also highlights how playing safe and smart can enhance and extend a child’s athletic career, improve teamwork, reduce obesity rates and create a lifelong love of exercise and healthy activity. The campaign’s message underscores the problems of youth overuse and trauma injuries and emphasizes the expertise of our coalition of experts, including the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, American Academy of Pediatrics, National Athletic Trainers’ Association, National Strength and Conditioning Association, American Medical Society for Sports Medicine Sports Physical Therapy Section, Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America and SAFE Kids USA. For more details, visit www.STOPSportsInjuries.org or contact AOSSM Communications Assistant Joe Siebelts at 847.292.4900.

Last Wednesday they dropped their first road game of the season ending a five-game winning streak in the process. Two nights later, in another penalty filled game they fell 8-5 to Brantford Blast in the JL Grightmire Arena.

Dundas was granted nine powerplay opportunities, but was unable to find the back of the net. The Blast was not much better missing on five extra man chances.

Sunday (December 12), the McCoys will have an opportunity redeem themselves and chance to provide their fans again this year to a unique opportunity…the chance is to be part of a hockey doubleheader in Hamilton's Copps Coliseum.

Game time for their match with Orillia Tundra is slated for 3:30 p.m. following the Hamilton Bulldogs American Hockey League game with the Toronto Marlies. Game time for that one is 1 p.m. in Copps. Fans can purchase a combo ticket for both games for $18.

Last Friday, Chris Sebastian scored his third and fourth goals of the season for the Real McCoys with Chris McLean (2), TJ Sakaluk (9), and Brad Kenny (8) adding singles, but there was no stopping Brantford. Even switching goaltenders Dan Turple and Bryan Worosz made no difference.

Whitby won the first period 2-1, and Dundas reversed the totals as both clubs skated off the ice tied at 3-3. The Dunnies shaded the Valley Town crew 2-1 in the final period and skated off with the victor following a wild penalty filled frame. Dundas took nine penalties while Whitby took eight, which ranged from high sticking and hooking to fighting, trash talking, and verbal abuse. Sebastian with two goals and McLean and Sakaluk replied for the Real McCoys.

Real McCoys Food Drive returns Friday

The Robertson Cup champions have their annual December Food Drive well underway, and need your support to make it a genuine success.

The McCoys have been collecting and will be delivering donated foodstuffs to the local Salvation Army chapter. The Real McCoys request everyone to assist in this annual incentive to help local families over the Christmas Season.

"This is a time of year when we make a special effort to try and assist in the community as much as we can. We have events planned to do this, and we look forward to support from the community as we try to make a difference," said Robertson

"More than just a Hockey Team"

The month of December marks the return of the McCoys annual Scotia Bank Teddy Bear Toss. Fans are invited to bring a stuffed toy to the rink, and throw it on the ice when the McCoys score their first goal of the game on Friday, December 17. That night the McCoys will take on the Norwood Vipers at 7:45 p.m. Santa Claus will also make his annual visit to the Grightmire that night.

The win vaulted the McCoys back into second place in the MLH and within three points of the league-leading Whitby Dunlops. Wednesday night (December 1) Dundas will do battle with the Dunlops in Whitby's Iroquois Arena. Game time is 8 p.m.

Friday night (December 3), they return home for a rematch with the Blast in the JL Grightmire Arena. Game time is 7:45 p.m.

“We sure find different ways to win on the road, down 5-1 half way through the game we just kept working away. When the effort is there we can be hard to play against," said Dundas General Manager Don Robertson.

"Everyone is looking forward to Friday's game with Brantford in town. We’ll see if we can finally start winning some games at home.”

TJ Sakaluk, Shawn Shewchuk, and Mike Amodeo scored twice each with Matt Smith adding a single goal. Shewchuk and Amodeo drew an assist each. Scott Duncan and Jordan Skinner scored twice for Brantford. Bryan Hamm and Ryan Stephenson rounded out the scoring.

It is interesting to note there were seven powerplay opportunities for both teams…but no one scored.

Real McCoys Food Drive returns Friday

The Robertson Cup champions will host Brantford in Hockeyville’s Grightmire Arena this Friday (December 3) and kickoff the club's annual December Food Drive.

The McCoys will collect and deliver donated foodstuffs to the local Salvation Army chapter. The Real McCoys request everyone to assist in this annual incentive to help local families over the Christmas Season.

"This is a time of year when we make a special effort to try and assist in the community as much as we can. We have events planned to do this, and we look forward to support from the community as we try to make a difference," said Robertson

"More than just a Hockey Team"

The month of December will also see the return of the McCoys annual Scotia Bank Teddy Bear Toss. Fans are invited to bring a stuffed toy to the rink, and throw it on the ice when the McCoys score their first goal of the game on Friday, December 17. That night the McCoys will take on the Norwood Vipers at 7:45 p.m. Santa Claus will make his annual visit to the Grightmire that night.

Friday night (November 26), the Real McCoys will take on the Brantford Blast at 7:30 p.m. in the Brantford Community Centre before returning home next week.

The McCoys sport the best road won-lost record in the MLH (4-0-0-0), but they still cannot convert at home, even a threatened bus trip from Caledonia for the players failed to generate desired results.

"Friday night was a great hockey game maybe the best of the year for us, sadly we came up short again, but it wasn't from lack of effort," said General Manager Don Robertson.

Conspicuous by their absence from the Dundas line-up were defencemen Omar Ennaffati and Mike Lankshear. Robertson noted that, "Omar is back now after three weeks of training for work and Lankshear is a month away from playing."

"We will add a couple pieces to club before we are back home next week. I have traded the rights for Brett Leggat to Brantford (Blast) for Steve Hurst. Hurst will add depth on defence and will bring a good attitude to the team. We didn't really give anything up to get him because Leggat quit the team last year when (Dan) Turple showed up," said Don.

Leggat played for Tilsonburg Vipers in 2007-08, and came to Dundas when that club ceased to operate. He teamed with former Hamilton Bulldogs netminder Mike Minard in 2008-09. Last season, he and Bryan Worosz shared the netminding until the McCoys signed former Atlanta Thrasher prospect Dan Turple. Leggat then left the team.

What's the cause, and when will it all end…the home losses. General Manager Don Robertson, and his coaches Ken Mann and assistant Ron Bernacci would like the road record to stay intact, for the entire season thank you very much. However, you can have the home stand numbers.

Last Friday night, the last place Orillia Tundra came into the JL Grightmire Arena, and skated off with 7-1 victory. It could have been worse, but Andy Boudreau connected for the McCoys with 12 minutes left to play. The following night at Whitby, they bounced back with a 7-4 win against the league leaders.

“It just keeps get worse at home. Right now, it seems we couldn’t win an inter-squad game. I think we are going to have the guys meet in Caledonia Friday night and bring them in by bus," said Robertson. Over the course of the two weekend games, goalkeeper Dan Turple faced 87 shots.

“We are doing much better on the larger ice it seems. In Whitby with just 11 skaters, we beat the first team, but the night before we got hammered at home by the last place team. I have no clue what’s next, none of us do."

“The good news in all of this is that we can grab first place Friday night against Whitby at home, it should be a beauty!“ added Robertson. Game time for this matchup in the JL Grightmire is 7:45 p.m.

“Smith showed why he is such a pure goal scorer last Saturday at Whitby as he shelved some beauties," said Robertson.

He is currently tied for second in League scoring one point behind leader Peter MacKellar of Whitby. Smith has eight goals and as many assists for 16 points in six games. Teammate TJ Sakaluk also has 16 points, as does Leiland Gauley of Orillia. Sakaluk has five goals and 11 assists.

At Whitby, Smith hit a game high with four goals against the Dunlops. Sakaluk added a goal and three assists with singles by Nathan Tennant and Mike Amodeo. Brad Kenny set up three of the scoring plays. The previous night at home, Gauley scored twice and assisted on two more goals by the Tundra. Jesse Cook added a pair with single goals by Matt Raymond, John Vecchiarelli, and Craig Woods.

DUNDAS—Penalty shots can work for you or against you. Last Friday night a botched penalty shot by the Brantford Blast worked in favour of the Dundas Real McCoys in their 6-5 Major League Hockey loss in the JL Grightmire Arena. It ignited them.

Sunday night at Norwood, Dundas pounced on the Vipers 10-7 with a 13-man line-up.

It was their third win of the season against a loss and an overtime loss. The club sits in second place heading into tomorrow's (Friday) game with the Orillia Tundra. Game time in the JL Grightmire Arena is 7:45 p.m.

Saturday night, Dundas travels to Whitby to play the Dunlops at 6:30 p.m. in the Iroquois Arena.

The game turned in the McCoys direction as goalkeeper Dan Turple turned aside a feeble offering on what everyone in rink thought was to be the seventh goal of the hockey game. Had the play been successful midway through the third period Dundas would have trailed 7-1.

Brad Kenny followed Amadeo with a pair of goals (he scored five times and set up two more on the weekend), and Dan Pitre added a single on a blistering drive from the left point with 22 second left to play. Matt Smith had the other goal.

Brantford replied with two goals each by Kyle McNeil and Greg Bullock, and single goals by Ryan Stephenson and Travis Lisabeth.

Sunday, the club suffered through another all too familiar short-bench road game scenario, but they had the upper hand on the score sheet.

"We're short-staffed on the road on Sunday and what happens, we win a shoot out with a big road effort," added the mystified Dundas GM. "This Friday night we'll have Chris Wismer and Tom Brown back on defence which should certainly help our goals against record."

Sunday, the club picked up where it left off as Kenney netted three goals with Sakaluk and Watson adding two each. Pitre, Smith, and Amodeo each had a goal. Sakaluk and Smith hold down the fifth and sixth spots in MLH scoring after the weekend. Sakaluk has four goals and eight assists for 12 points in five games while Smith is four and seven for 11 in four games.

The victory was the club's second in three games. The other ended in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Whitby Dunlops. The Dunnies lead the MLH with a 3-0-1-1 record for eight points, however, the McCoys trail by three points and have two games hand.

Friday night, November 5, the McCoys, take on Brantford in a return match at 7:45 p.m. in the JL Grightmire Arena. A share of first place is already at stake. Sunday's match at Norwood against the Vipers is scheduled for 7 p.m.

Brantford and Dundas were a shot apart on the night 46-45 in the Brantford's favour and the Blast even had the advantage of a successful penalty shot by Travis Lisabeth (1st) at 8:12 of the second period, but the Valley Town prevailed on the scoreboard. The Blast's penalty shot came as a result of Lisabeth being hauled down while on a breakaway.

Three regulars were missing from the action last Friday. Shawn Shewchuk was writing an exam while Matt Smith and Chris Wismer had work commitments.

"We were a bit short staffed this week, but we played a smart road game and the kids came through for us. We got some great goaltending from Bryan Worosz in his first start of the season. It really helps when you have two good goalies to call on," said McCoys General Manager Don Robertson.

"This weekend, the real test will come when we play two games, with Brantford in town at the Grightmire on Friday, and Sunday we're at Norwood against the first place Vipers. Norwood is undefeated, so that will be a good test for us," said Robertson.

Last Friday, Brantford opened the scoring at 3:29 of the first period on a goal by Ryan Stephenson only to have the Real McCoys storm back with three unanswered goals by Andy Boudreau, Tom Brown, and Mike Amodeo.

With Dundas, in front, 3-1 early in the middle period, Brantford narrowed the gap on Lisabeth's penalty shot, but Real McCoys Nathan Tennant restored the two-goal lead. In the third, the Blast outscored Dundas 2-1 on goals by Greg Bullock, and Stephenson (fourth). TJ Sakaluk with his second goal of the season provided the McCoys with the margin of victory.

While the rust was evident in the first game, there were some great performances, newcomer Ricky Walton notched three goals and veteran Shawn Shewchuk chipped in with a four-point night, made up of two goals and two assists. Dan Turple was outstanding in his season debut. The entire McCoys squad was strong when they had to be with their penalty killing.

The Orillia team appears stronger this year, which will go a long way in keeping the League competitive.

The McCoys home opener is Friday, October 22 at 7:45 p.m. in the JL Grightmire Arena. In a rematch of last year’s League finals with the Whitby Dunlops coming to town. Goaltending will be a crucial element, while the starters are not known yet, look for a duel between archrivals Turple in the McCoys net and Anthony Marshall between the pipes for Whitby.

The Dunnies no doubt will be a strong contender again this year with a lot of returning veterans. The Real McCoys have only six returnees at this point, but the crop of new recruits looks promising as witnessed in Orillia.

First 300 kids through the doors on Friday will get a Tim Horton’s water bottle.

Game time in the JL Grightmire Arena is 7:45 PM.

“We have an opportunity and obligation to help and make a contribution to these efforts. We will follow the lead of this great community in any way we can,“ said McCoys President and General Manager, Don Robertson.

“Our fans are joining with us in this effort, and we thank them sincerely for the support.”

More information contact: Don Robertson (905) 627-4880

“More Than Just A Hockey Team “