Pirates end best season in history

The Pirate ship has docked for another season.
But it wasn’t just any season. It was the best in Picton Pirates’ history.
Time ran out for the local Jr. C hockey club Thursday night as they went down to defeat at the hands of the defending Schmalz Cup champion Alliston Hornets in four straight games.
Despite outchancing the Hornets over the final two games of the series, the older, more experienced Alliston club made sure they got a great return on their scoring opportunities.
“It was a tough series to watch,” outgoing GM Jason Parks said of the sweep. “We would get pressure in their zone, they would withstand it, create a nice rush and the puck was in the back of our net before we knew what happened. They are a very opportunistic hockey club and you have to tip your hat at the end. They know how to win playoff hockey games.”
Despite outshooting and out chancing the Hornets in the first period of game four, Picton went to the dressing room with a 2-0 deficit thanks to goals from Mike Campeau and Zenon Byblow.
Alliston regular season leading scorer Randy Cox got his first of the series at 6:18 of the second period to make it a 3-0 spread.
Picton would finally get on the board with a Brandon Peever point blast at 12:36, but Alliston continued to put the gas to the Pirates, scoring four straight powerplay goals en route to an 8-1 win.
“It’s a disappointing end to a wildly successful season, the best season of Jr. C hockey the town has ever seen,” Parks said. “Until this season, the Picton Pirates had never played in the month of April, had never won a Schmalz cup game and only had one Empire Championship in 20 years. When you start to add it up, you realize that the 22 players in that dressing room accomplished  something very special and memorable.”
Parks said the building blocks are in place for next season and another successful playoff run.
“The entire team minus Denver Greer is eligible to come back next season and lot of the main components have said they are interested in returning for another season and another crack at the Schmalz Cup, so whoever takes over for me should only have some slight tinkering to do over the summer,” he said.
Picton will soon start laying the ground work for the 2011-12 season.
The Pirates will host a spring mini camp at RCAF Arena in Trenton on May 7 & 8.

Pirates OHA semis start in Picton

Pirates vs. Hornets semi-final schedule:
Game 1 @ Picton Thursday April 7th  8pm
Game 2 @ Alliston Sunday April 10th  6:30pm
Game 3 @ Alliston Tuesday April 12 8pm
Game 4 @ Picton Thursday April 14 8 pm
Game 5 @ Alliston Friday April 15 8 pm
Game 6 @ Picton Sunday April 17 7 pm
Game 7 @ Alliston Monday April 18 8 pm

Pirates move on to OHA semis

The Picton Pirates saved their best offensive outing of the 2011 playoffs (so far) for the clinching game of the best-of-seven Ontario Hockey Association Quarterfinals against the Port Perry Mojacks Thursday night.
Picton fired eight goals past Mojack netminder Drew Siydock in an 8-2 walloping of the Central Ontario Champs.
Mitch Rosborough turned in a fine effort as the Fish Lake native had a hat trick and added two assists to pace the Picton points parade.
Brandon Peever generated plenty of offence from the blueline, scoring a pair while adding two assists.
But the MVPs of the game for Picton didn’t carry sticks or wear skates Thursday night.
A serious Zamboni malfunction prior to the end of the first intermission pressed local mechanic Ken Banfield into service.
Banfield and Tim Jones, a Prince Edward County Firefighter who is also a mechanic, were able to fix the ice resurfacing machine and get it back up and running, possibly saving the Pirates from being forced to restart the game on another night.
“Up 4-1 after the first period, it would have been real tough to have the game called and restart it on another night. Who knows what could have happened,” Pirates GM Jason Parks said. “I will never, ever be able to thank Ken and Tim enough for getting that Zamboni up and going again to clean the ice after the first.”
Singles by Peever, Rosborough. Pat Millington and Jeff Kingdon over the opening 12:54 helped Picton establish a lead they would never relinquish.
Only a Brad Massia shorthanded goal at 10:38 kept Port Perry from being whitewashed.
Up 4-1 starting the second, Picton increased the lead early as Rosborough fired a puck off the crossbar and 47 seconds into the frame to make it a 5-1 Picton lead.
Peever and Dylan Leduc added powerplay goals in the late going to make it 7-1 after 40 minutes.
With the outcome virtually decided, the teams played a back-and-forth third with not much emotion.
Rosborough completed his hat trick on the power play at 4:13 while Port Perry and Matt Murray gained a little respect back, scoring for the Mojacks at 14:22.
Matt Kaludis made 37 saves for the win.
The Pirates will now await the winner of the Alliston-Walkerton series.
One interesting wrinkle to a potential Picton-Alliston semifinal showdown is the anchor of the Hornets blueline.
Kyle Montpetit is a Prince Edward County native and grew up playing for the Prince Edward County Kings and was a member of the 1998 OMHA Champion County Kings.
Kyle’s father, Steve Montpetit, worked at the Prince Edward OPP detachment before moving on to OPP headquarters in Barrie.
Kyle continued playing hockey in Central Ontario and has played for the Hornets for four seasons.
“It would be really neat to see the Hornets and Kyle play here next round,” Parks said. “I know he has plenty of family in the area and he’s still good friends with the guys he played hockey with here.”

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Pirates take 3-1 lead in OHA Jr. C quarterfinals

MARCH 30 – The Picton Pirates have put themselves in fine shape to advance in the Ontario Jr. C playdowns with a dramatic 5-4 win over the Port Perry MoJacks Wednesday evening.
On the strength of the win, the Pirates find themselves up 3-1 with game five scheduled for Thursday evening at 8 pm in Picton.
Down 4-2 after 40 minutes, the Pirates scored three unanswered in the third period to stun the MoJacks and quiet their rockus crowd.
“We talk a lot about being 22 players strong and that was a man sized effort to come back from two goals down and get the job done,” Pirates coach Ryan Woodward said after the game.
Winger Jack Davison was key in the comeback, scoring a powerplay goal at the 13:55 mark to get the Bucs to within one.
After Jesse Lloyd tied it at the nine minute mark, Davison made a nice cross crease feed to Ryan Sizer who bagged the winner with just 3:55 remaining.
“Whether it’s Davison or Sizer on the Kid line or its Mitch Rosborough setting up Evan Greer on our first two goals, we are really using our depth right now and it’s bring us a lot of success,” Pirates GM Jason Parks said.
The Pirates improved their post season road record to 8-1.
Goalie Matt Kaludis picked up the win in the Picton net, his tenth of the post season.

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Pirates take first win port-side Saturday

The Picton Pirates have officially sailed into uncharted waters.
The local Jr. C club opened its best of seven Ontario Hockey Association quarter finals with the Port Perry Mojacks  Thursday night with a 5-1 win.
The only other time Picton made it to the Schmalz Cup playdowns (1999), they lost in straight games to the eventual OHA champion Lakefield Chefis.
“History has never been lost on us during this playoff run, but we’ve always wanted to do more then just eclipse that 1999 team and, hopefully, tonight was the first step in accomplishing something memorable,” Pirates GM Jason Parks said.
Picton got the first goal of the game just 17 seconds in as Dylan Leduc stuffed a puck underneath a scramble in front of MoJack goalie Matt Barbara.
Picton was at it again at the 3:33 mark when Mitch Rosborough unleashed a quick shot on Barbara.
The goalie made a quick save, but Evan Greer was quick on the door step to tap in the rebound and make it a 2-0 Picton spread.
Port Perry would answer when Corey Durward scooped up a loose puck at the Picton blueline and made a nice feed to Matt Murray.
Murray sent a rocket past Matt Kaludis in the Picton at 11:47 to make it 2-1.
Picton’s checking line of Denver Greer, Pat Millington and Ryan Vader quickly atoned for the defensive lapse that led to the MoJack goal just a shift later when Greer tapped in a Vader feed at 13:15 to restore Picton’s two goal spread.
Picton got the only goal in the second when Dylan Mountenay notched his first of the series, taking a Rosborough feed at 16:10 of the second and beating Barbara to the glove side.
Evan Greer added an assist on the play.
The Pirates also scored the only goal in the third with Eric Hayes tipping home a Jack Davison point shot while the Pirates were on the power play at the 15:38 mark of the third.
Kaludis stopped 34 of 35 MoJack shots.
On Saturday night, Picton will make their first visit to Port Perry since the 2005-06 season when the Central and Empire Jr. C leagues played an interlocking regular season schedule.
Game three will go Sunday night at the Prince Edward Community Centre at 7:30 p.m.

Fan Bus to Port Perry: Anyone interested can email adam@pictonpirates org to reserve a spot!
The Bus leaves Picton arena at 3:45 pm and will do a pick up at 4:40 pm at Wooler Road Parking Lot just off the 401 @ Wooler Rd for those from the Belleville & Trenton area Price 20.00 Per Person. Seats still available

Stats available at:
http://www.pointstreak.com/prostats/playoffbracket.html?leagueid=578&seasonid=7015

Pirates meet Mojacks Thursday in Picton

The Picton Pirates have a dance partner in the All-Ontario Jr. C Quarterfinals.
The Port Perry Mojacks stunned the regular season champion Uxbridge Bruins Monday evening, defeating the Bruins in game seven of the Central Ontario Jr. C playoffs 6-3.
The Mojacks will move on to play the Pirates for a birth into the Ontario Hockey Association Jr. C final four.
“They didn’t just back into a championship, and storming back from a 3-1 deficit to take out Uxbridge proves they are a great team,” Pirates GM Jason Parks said.
Parks and Mojacks GM Murray Parliament have hammered out a schedule for the upcoming series:
Game one Thursday, March 24 at 8 pm in Picton
game two Saturday March 26 at 7 pm in Port Perry
game three Sunday March 28 at 7:30 pm in Picton
game four Wed March 30 at 8 pm in Port Perry
game five Thursday March 31 at 8 pm In Picton
game six Saturday April 2 at 7 pm in Port Perry
game seven Sunday April 3 at 7:30 pm in Picton
“The crowd for the Empire championship game on Thursday night when we beat Napanee was the best we’ve seen in years and we hope the great crowds continue. There’s definitely some excitement around the Prince Edward Community Centre right now, probably the most there’s been this late in the year in a long time,” Parks said.
As a thank you to their dedicated fans, the Pirates are maintaining Empire championship ticket prices this round.
$9 for adults
$8 for students and seniors
$2 for kids

Jubilant Pirates take over the Empire!

The Empire once again belongs to the Picton Pirates!
Exactly 12 years to the night they last captured their first Tod trophy, the Picton Jr. C hockey club was victorious on St. Patrick’s Day, vanquishing the arch-rival Napanee Raiders 5-2 in Game Six of their best of seven Empire Jr.C championship, taking the championship 4 games to 2.
“It’s been a long time coming for this proud franchise, this town, the county and this fanbase, but, after 12 long years, We are back on top!,” a jubilant Jason Parks said.
The Pirates GM said he was proud of the entire organization as the club celebrated its second playoff championship in its 21 year history.
“From the players, staff and executive all the way to our long time announcer Dennis Clanan, this is one championship to remember and be proud of,” he said.
After dropping games four and five Monday and Tuesday nights, respectively, the Pirates came out in the first period like a house on fire and never looked back, leading 4-0 after the opening frame.
Ryan Sizer had a pair while Denver Greer and Jesse Lloyd also beat Napanee netminder Laine Parent in the first 20 minutes.
“It was (Lloyd’s) best game of the playoffs and how fitting that he scored the eventual championship winning goal,” Parks said.
Napanee would scratch out a goal in the second and a lucky bounce in off a Picton defender early in the third gave the Raiders an idea of a comeback, but Matt Kaludis would shut the door the rest of the way en route to stopping 39 of 41 Raiders shots in picking up his seventh win of the post season.
After the game, Kaludis was named the 2011 Empire Jr. C playoff MVP.
“In my opinion, he was the best goalie all season long and he went out and proved it to the naysayers in the playoffs,” Parks said.
A flurry of Kaludis saves down the stretch lead to a Pirates 2-on-1 in the late going and it was Jack Davison slipping the puck to a wide open Tyler Kearns.
The London native and Loyalist College student buried the Raiders at 15:58 of the third to make the score 5-2 and the celebration with over 500 fans in attendance at the Prince Edward Community Centre was underway.
“Getting him back in the lineup after his injury was key. He brings so much to the table and it was awesome to see him out there for us tonight,” Pirates coach Ryan Woodward said.
Picton will now await the winner of the Central Jr. C finals between Uxbridge and Port Perry. Uxbridge is in a position to clinch Friday as the Bruins lead the Mojacks 3-1 heading into game five.
Details on the schedule for the quarterfinals of the Shamalz Cup will be released soon.
“We are going to enjoy the weekend and rest, but it’s right back to work on Monday with a practice,” Woodward said. “I’m proud of this group, but we aren’t totally satisfied yet. We want to keep this ride going.”

Pirates want luck of the Irish for Empire Championship

The Pirates are looking to repeat history to win their first Jr. C Empire league title in 12 years Thursday night in Picton. The last time the Pirates won the championship was on March 17, 1999 and Pirates GM Jason Parks is looking to repeat history.  Game time is 7:30 p.m.
Their 3-0 lead in the best-of-seven was followed by two wins by the defending league champion Napanee Raiders.
They failed to score in Game 5 Tuesday at the Strathcona Paper Centre taking a 5-0 loss. This followed a 3-2 Napanee victory in Game 4 Monday.
Hometown support saw about 700 people in attendance and Parks hopes the cheers will be as loud Thursday.
Game 7, if necessary, would be played Saturday in Napanee at 8 p.m.

Mitch Rosborough fired a hard shot with just 33 seconds left.

* * *
The Picton Pirates are poised to do something they haven’t done in 12 seasons – win an Empire playoff championship.

The Picton Pirates made up for lost time Tuesday evening.
Playing in the Empire Jr.C league finals for the first time since 2000, Picton shocked the defending champion Napanee Raiders 4-3 in double overtime.
Dylan Mountenay, who would have been nine years old and playing for the Atom Quinte West Golden Hawks the last time a Picton team skated in the Empire Finals, wound up being the hero, scoring at the 10:31 mark of the fifth period.
Mountenay collected an Evan Greer feed and beat Laine Parent clean after coming very close to ending the game in the shift prior.
Mitch Rosborough also had an assist on the play.
“That was the best line on the ice tonight in terms of skating and puck possession through the neutral zone, so it’s appropriate they got the goal to end it,” Picton GM Jason Parks said.
The line also combined to score the game tying goal late in the second frame.
With Picton down 3-2 inside the final minute, the trio worked a cycle behind the Napanee cage before Mountenay made a nice pass to Rosborough who fired a hard shot between the legs of Parent with just 33 seconds left.
“That was huge after falling behind twice,” Parks said.
After Adam Ruffalo opened the scoring early with a top shelf wrist shot at 3:37 of the first, it was Picton scoring the next two.
At 8:06, Ryan Sizer spotted Jack Davison at the side of the Napanee net and made a smart pass Davison had no problem depositing into the top shelf of the Napanee net.
Then, with the Pirates still buzzing, Captain Josh Fagan blasted home a point shot through the wickets of Parent at 8:41.
But the one goal Picton lead would evaporate at 10:27 with a Colin Doelman point blast that made it 2-2.
Former Frontenac Flyer Jake Doseger would give the Raiders the lead at 2:35 of the second, sending a seeing eye shot through Picton starter Real Cormier and ending the Trenton native’s night after just 13 shots.
Picton coach Ryan Woodward sent in veteran Picton netminder Matt Kaludis and the man who won game seven of the semi finals against Amherstview on Sunday was solid, stopping all 30 shots sent his way.
Picton plays Napanee in game two of the best of seven series on Thursday night in Picton at 7:30 p.m.
The rest of the series is as follows:
Game 3 in Napanee Saturday, March 12, 8:00 p.m.
Game 4 in Picton Monday, March 14, 8:30 p.m.
*Game 5 in Napanee Tuesday March 15, 7:30 p.m.
*Game 6 in Picton Thursday, March 17, 7:30 p.m.
*Game 7 in Napanee Saturday, March 19, 8:00 p.m.
*If Necessary.

* * *

Pirates start Empire finals Tuesday

It’s seventh heaven for the Picton Pirates!
The underdog Bucs made Empire Jr. C history Sunday night, dropping the Amherstview Jets 4-2 in game seven of their best of seven semi-finals.
Picton won all four of their games on the road as the WJ Henderson arena became a port of call for the Pirate ship, the first time that has happened in Empire history.
Pirates GM Jason Parks said it was difficult to explain why his team was sound on the road while losing three games at the Prince Edward Community Centre.
“I’m sure we tempted fate losing game six at our arena and having to come back here and win a fourth road game on Sunday, but there’s nothing sweeter then that, except maybe winning the league championship,” he said.
Picton will get that opportunity Tuesday night as they will visit the Napanee Raiders in game one of the Empire finals.
Picton will host game two at the PECC on Thursday at 7:30 pm, the first time they’ve made a finals appearance since 2000.
The Bucs rode a wave of late first period goals on Sunday in punching their ticket to the league showdown.
Down 1-0, Jack Davison, Ryan Sizer and Tyler Kearns all scored in the last five minutes of the first period to make the score 3-1
Neither team would score in the second, thanks to great efforts from Jets netminder Nathan Perry and Picton puckstopper Matt Kaludis.
Amherstview would score with 3:02 left in the third to make it close, but Dylan Leduc salted it away for the locals with an emptynetter with 17 seconds left.
Kaludis stopped 38 of 40 shots in the game.
“He was huge for us and I’ve always thought he’s the best goalie in our league, even though he doesn’t get the recognition he deserves,” Parks said. “He definitely came through for us tonight in a big time way.”