Ennismore Eagles win another OMHA title
The Ennismore Robert Young Construction Juvenile Eagles keep adding to their remarkable record.
The Eagles captured their 25th OMHA juvenile championship in 27 trips to the final on Thursday night. Their 2-0 win over the Quinte West Hawks clinched their best-of-five series 3-0 at the Robert E. Young Recreation Complex.
It marked their sixth straight OMHA championship and third in a row since switching from DD to AAA. They also won a AAA title in 1995.
The Eagles will advance to the OHF AAA championships April 13-15 in Trenton. Ennismore has reached the semifinals at the OHF tournament the past two years.
“We lost a lot of talent and everyone thought there would be some holes and it might be a little harder to win,” said Matt Bell, who has coached the juveniles to 14 OMHA titles.
“We filled the gaps with a couple of affiliate players from the midgets who were already done. We didn’t have a full team of juvenile players but we filled the gaps and had a very talented team.
“It’s special for sure especially to win it in our own building for a third year in a row. We have only lost twice in this arena since the renovations six years ago.”
The arena was packed to the gills.
“We made the hometown proud,” said Eagles captain and third-year player Trevor Healey.
Regardless of how many players they lose each year the Eagles always seem to fill in the gaps.
“We always seem to come through,” said Healey. “Part of it is our coaching. It obviously has a lot to do with it because it clearly works out for us.”
It was a scoreless tie until Evan Dodds scored unassisted with
8:05 left in the third period. James Allen added the second goal 3:08 later on a set-up by Ethan Young. Trevor Lawrence posted the shutout.
“Their goalie was definitely player of the game,” said Bell. “We had rubber on him all night. We outshot them three-to-one for sure.”
“We dominated all game, we just couldn’t get one in,” said Healey. “
Once we got the first goal we were sure we had it.”
The Eagles will vie for their first OHF championship against host Quinte West, Ajax, the Toronto Colts and Toronto Aeros.
It is Healey’s last crack at an OHF title and he says Bell is hinting this might be his last year as coach, although he’s said that more than once in the past. Either way, there is plenty of motivation.
“We’re trying to do it for our coach since he’s been so great for us,” said Healey.
“Hopefully, our experience of losing last year will give us that extra push to go for it this year. It’s anyone’s game. They’re all good teams.”