The semi-final match up between the Merchants and Storm continues tonight.

The best-of-seven series is tied at one game apiece after Norwich tied it up Sunday night.

Game three is in Norwich tonight with the puck dropping at 7:30 pm.

The two will meet up again tomorrow night in Simcoe for game four of the series with the potential of one of the teams wrapping up the series in Norwich Friday night. 

The Norwich Merchants tied up their Niagara Junior C semi final series at one game a piece with a 2-1 win over the Simcoe Storm. Game 3 of the series goes Wednesday in Norwich, game time is 7:30.

In Niagara Junior 'C' play-off action Caledonia edged the Glanbrook Rangers 3-2 in Overtime - they are are now tied at one game a piece.

The New Hamburg Firebirds took a win away from the Aylmer spitfires with a score of 3-2.

The Firebirds now lead their series 2 games to none.

The Simcoe Storm are taking on the Norwich Merchants in Simcoe at 7:00.
 

The Storm won the opening game of their semi final.

In Junior 'D' the Hagersville Hawks romped all over the Burford Bulldogs 7-3
in last night's opener of that first round series.

St-George Dukes  were out shot 6-3 at home to the Tavistock Braves to even that series at one win apiece.

The Wellesley Apple Jacks edged the Ayr Centennials 3-2 in overtime to even that series at one win each.

This afternoon the Norfolk Rebels take the Delhi Travellers at 2:00 who are down one game to none.

Then tonight the Bulldogs host the Hagersville Hawks in Game-2 of that series.  

In Local Niagara Junior C playoff action the New Hamburg Firebirds took a 4-3  win against the Aylmer Spitfires.

The Norwich Merchants took a loss to the Simcoe Storm in double overtime 3-2

The Glanbrook Rangers outscored the Caledonia Corvairs 5-2.

Tonight's action includes Caledonia at Glanbrook and the Firebirds taking Aylmer at 7:30. 

In Junior 'D' the Delhi Travellers beat the Norfolk Rebels 8-6.

The St George Dukes out scored the Tavistock Braves 5-2.

Tonight the Burford Bulldogs visit the Hagersville Hawks at 7:30.

The Ayr Centennials visit the Wellesley Apple Jacks at 7:30 and St-George tangles with Tavistock at 7:30.    

Junior D hockey playoffs are underway and the Tavistock Braves kick off their series against the St George Dukes in round one tonight. 

Game time is 7:30 pm in Tavistock.

Elsewhere, the Norfolk Rebels are in Delhi for their first game of the series.  That game has a 7:30 pm start as well.

The Thamesford Trojans have a bye in the first round after finishing first in the Yeck Conference. 

The second round of the Niagara Jr. C playoffs are set to begin tonight.

The Norwich Merchants finally wrapped up their series against the Paris Mounties Tuesday night and will face-off against the Simcoe Storm in the second round.

The Merchants finished the season in second place, 6 points behind New Hamburg and went into the first round with a promising outcome as Paris finished well behind Norwich with 26 points.  However, the Mounties went the distance and pushed their first round series to six games before the Merchants were finally able to seal the deal.

Game one of the semi-finals series between the Merchants and Storm is in Norwich tonight at 8 pm.

The other West Division series match-up has the Aylmer Spitfire taking on the first place New Hamburg Firebirds.  That game is at 7:30 pm in New Hamburg. 

It may have taken longer then they wanted but the Norwich Merchants advanced to the second round of the Niagara Jr. C West Division playoffs.

The Paris Mounties were first on the scoreboard with a goal from Bryan Warner about 5 minutes into the game.  But the Merchants capitalized on the powerplay and tied the game at one apiece in the first.

Paris was quick to the draw taking the lead only 34-seconds into the second period. But the game was far from over with Norwich responding with two quick goals, including a shorthanded shot from Todd Poirier.  Paris answered back with an unassisted goal from Ian Fowler but it wasn't enough as the Merchants had three more goals, including an empty netter by Tom Brady, and eventually went on to defeat the Mounties 6-3.

The series wrapped up 4-games-to-2 for Norwich.  They now move on to the second round of the playoffs where they'll face the Simcoe Storm.  Game one is Friday night in Norwich at 8 pm. 

Other West Division action will see the New Hamburg Firebirds facing off against the Ayler Spitfire in the second round.

After posting an impressive 26-6-4 regular season, the Thamesford Trojans can kick back and relax for the first round of the playoffs.

The Trojans have earned a bye with a league-best 56-points in the Southwestern Ontario Jr. D Hockey League.

In the McConnell Conference, the #3 seed Tavistock Braves draw the #6 seed St. George Dukes.  That series will begin Friday night in Tavistock at 7:30. 

Other match-ups around the league include: *All series are best 4 out of 7 games.

McConnell Conference

#1 Delhi VS. #8 Norfolk

#2 Hagersville VS. #7 Burford

#4 Ayr VS. #5 Wellesley

Yeck Conference

#1 Thamesford - BYE

#2 Lambeth VS. #7 Pt. Stanley

#3 Exeter VS. #6 N. Middlesex

#4 Mt. Brydges VS. #5 Lucan

Glen Howard has advanced into the Dominion Tankard Ontario men's curling championship.

Howard needed only to score a point in the 11th end to edge Brampton's Peter Corner 7-6 in a Page 1-2 playoff on Saturday.

Howard's rink is playing for its seventh straight Tankard title.

Corner will get another chance to over power Howard if he can advance to the final.

Corner will take on Mike Anderson in today's semifinal after Anderson's Thornhill rink cruised by Brampton's Dayna Deruelle 7-3 in the Page 3-4 playoff.

Woodstock's Wayne Tuck Junior is out after being defeated 6-5 by Dayna Drouelle.

The semi finals are scheduled for 9:30 this morning (Sunday) and finals go today at 2 this afternoon.

In Local Niagara Junior C west division playoffs The Norwhich Merchants tied their series by beating the Paris Mounties 8-3.

Game 5 goes this afternoon at 2pm at the Norwich Community Centre.

The Dundas Blues took a 4-3 loss in double overtime to the Chippawa Riverhawks.

The Hawks take a 3 games to 2 series lead.

Dundas will try and even the series up at 7:00 tonight.

And in Junior 'D' play the Tavistock Braves took a 5-1 win over  the St. George Dukes.

In Local Niagara Junior C playoff action he Paris Mounties doubled the Merchants in Norwich, 4-2, last night.

Tonight, the Paris Mounties and Norwich Merchants play at the Brant Sports Complex with the Mounties taking a two-games-to-one series lead in their quarter final series.

Woodstock's Wayne Tuck went out on top at the Stratford Tankard today. 

Tuck prevailed over Mark Kean's rink this afternoon 11-6. 

Tuck's rink does not qualify for the tournament's playoff, and has a bye in tonight's final round-robin draw. 

Mark Kean finishes out with a 7PM match against Chris Gardner, and will also miss the playoff cut.

The Norwich Merchants are home tonight in Game 3 of their series against the Paris Mounties. 

The series is tied 1-1.   Puck drop tonight is set for 8PM.

The Merchants won the opening game 3-0 on home ice, before Paris rebounded with a 5-3 win.

Game 4 is Saturday night back in Paris.

Game 5 goes Sunday afternoon at 2PM in Norwich.

Wayne Tuck and the Woodstock Curling Club had two victories on Thursday during the Ontario Men's Curling Championship in Stratford. 

In the 8th draw, Tuck and his team were 7-6 winners over Bryan Cochrane and the Rideau Club.  Tuck picked up his second win last night beating Greg Balsdon and the Loonie Club 8-7.
 

Innerkip native Mark Kean defeated Balsdon 11-5 in the 8th draw and had a bye in the 9th.
 

Tuck and Kean will face off in the 10th draw this afternoon at 2 p.m.

Woodstock's Wayne Tuck and Innerkip native Mark Kean both suffered a tough loss in the 7th draw on the third day of the Ontario Men's Curling Championship in Stratford.

Tuck and his crew were defeated 9-5 by Dayna Deruelle and the Brampton Curling Club. 

Tuck will be back on the ice this afternoon at 2pm to face Bryan Cochrane of the Rideau Curling Club.

Kean went down 9-1 against Cochrane and the Rideau Club Wednesday night.  Kean and the Annandale Club will be back in action this afternoon as well against Greg Balsdon and the Loonie Curling Club.

The Ontario Men's Curling Championship continues in Stratford today with Woodstock's Wayne Tuck lost to Thornhill's Mike Anderson 8-6.

Tuck also lost in just 4-ends this morning to Glenn Howard, 7-1.

Tuck is now 2-4 on the tournament.

------------------------------

Innerkip-native Mark Kean lost a tight match with Dayna Deruelle, 8-6 this afternoon.  It was tied 6-6 in the 10th end, when Kean rubbed a guard with his final rock, sealing the win for Deruelle.

Kean did win this morning's draw 7-4, and now sits at 2-4 on the tournament.

It wasn't the outcome the Vets had hoped for. 

New Hamburg advanced to the next round of the Niagara Jr. C playoffs after sweeping Woodstock in four games. 

The Firebirds scored twice in the first period with goals from Kory Nowak and Taylor Wood.  But Vets netminder, Michael Roefs stopped 29 shots in the second and third periods to hold the Firebirds off before the Vets finally got on the scoreboard in the final period.  Derek Cowing's powerplay goal, assisted by Devon Young got Woodstock in the game but it wasn't enough as New Hamburg went on to win 2-1. 

The Firebirds now await the winner of the Norwich-Paris series that is tied at one game apiece.

The Navy Vets finished the season at 8-27-1.

Innerkip native Mark Kean faced Ontario Champion Glenn Howard and his Coldwater rink in the final draw at the Ontario Men's Curling Championship in Stratford Tuesday night. 

Kean was sitting at 1 and 2 at the tournament going into the 4th draw and came out at 1 and 3 after losing 6-4. 

Kean is back in action this morning at 9:00 against Mike Anderson and the Thorndale rink.

At the Ontario Men's Curling Championship in Stratford this afternoon, Innerkip native Mark Kean lost to Jake Higgs, 9-7.

Kean's rink falls to 1-2 for the tournament.

It doesn't get any easier, as Kean faces defending Ontario Champion Glenn Howard and his Coldwater rink.  That starts at 7PM.

The Vets are facing a season ending situation when they hit the ice in Woodstock tonight.

With New Hamburg up 3 games to none, Woodstock must win to stay alive in the first round of the Niagara Jr. C playoffs. 

The best of seven series would be complete with a Firebirds victory.

Game time is 7:45 pm at the Southwood arena.

Innerkip native Mark Kean opened the first day of the Ontario Men's Curling Championship with a 1-1 record.

Kean's rink opened with a 9-3 loss to Peter Corner of Brampton.

In the second draw, they got the best of Daryl Shane's Listowel rink in a 10-8 victory.

The 3rd draw begins at 2 o'clock this afternoon in Stratford.

n local Junior 'C' hockey action the New Hamburg Firebirds will be looking for a clean sweep of the Woodstock Navy Vets.

The Vets took a painful 7-3 loss in New Hamburg Saturday night despite the efforts of Kyle Robertson who scored twice for the Vets and a goal by Andy Fallowfield.

The  Woodstock Navy Vets will make a final effort to get on board when they face the Firebirds Tuesday night at Woodstock's Southwood arena.

The puck drops at 7:45.

The firebirds are currently in first place of the west division.

In other action the The Norwich Merchants were taken by surprise in their best of 7 series.

The Paris Monunties came out on top 5- 4

In the east division the Chippawa Riverhawks take first place after defeating the Dundas Blue 2-0 Saturday night.

In local Niagara Junior 'C' hockey action the New Hamburg Firebirds edged the Woodstock Navy Vets 5-4 to take a commanding 2 games to nothing lead in the best of 7 series.

Christian Babb tossed in a pair of goals for the Vets, along with Devon Young and Kyle Jones also scoring.

Goaltender Michael Roefs has faced 95 shots the series.

Game 3 goes tonight in New Hamburg.

In other action the Norwich Merchants took the Paris Mounties for a ride outscoring them 3-0

and In Junior 'D' the  Hagersville Hawks dumped the Delhi travellers 5-2

Niagara Jr. C Playoffs hit the ice tonight for Game 1 of the Norwich/Paris series, as well as Game 2 of Woodstock and New Hamburg.

The Merchants are on home ice against the Mounties for their series opener that starts at 8 o'clock. 

The Navy Vets are on the road in New Hamburg tonight, after dropping Game 1 of the series 2-0 on Tuesday.

New Hamburg has taken the lead in the first round of playoffs against the Navy Vets.

Woodstock hosted game one of the first round of the Niagara Junior C playoffs Tuesday night at the Southwood arena.

The Firebirds got onto the scoreboard mid-way through the 1st period with a goal from Jaden Goetz, assisted by Brandon Yantzi.

Despite tight defence and a brilliant 42 save goaltending effort by Woodstock's Michael Roefs, Sean Kienapple was able to cash in again as the Firebirds went on to blank the Vets 2-0.

The Firebirds now lead the best-of-seven series 1-0 with game two set for Friday night in New Hamburg.  Game time is 7:30 pm.

The Woodstock Navy Vets are heavy underdogs in their first round playoff series against the New Hamburg Firebirds. 

New Hamburg finished the regular season winning the Niagara West Division with 57-points, while Woodstock finished last with 17.

Game 1 of the series goes tonight in Woodstock at 7:45.  Games 2 and 3 are in New Hamburg.

In Local Junior 'C' hockey it's not the way the Woodstock Navy Vets wanted to end their regular season.

They lost 7-0 to the New Hamburg Firebirds.

Their 1st Round best of seven playoff series begins Tuesday night  at Southwood Arena between the Navy Vets and the Niagara West Division regular season champions The  New Hamburg Firebirds.

In Niagara Junior 'C' hockey action the Woodstock Navy Vets took a 6-2 beating by the Norwich Merchants at Southwood arena Friday night.

But that didn't stop 565 fans from attending the game.

It was the largest turnout the Vets had in more than 3 years.

The Vets complete their regular season tonight against the New Hamburg Firebirds.

The 1st Round of playoff action begins Tuesday night at Southwood Arena between the same two teams.

The schedule is as follows:

Jan 31 New Hamburg at Woodstock 7:45 pm

Fri Feb 3 Woodstock at New Hamburg 7:30 pm

Sat Feb 4 Woodstock at New Hamburg 7:30 pm

Tue Feb 7 New Hamburg at Woodstock 7:45 pm

Fri Feb 10 Woodstock at New Hamburg 7:30 pm

Tue Feb 14 New Hamburg at Woodstock 7:45 pm

Thu Feb 16 Woodstock at New Hamburg 8:00 pm

The Woodstock Wildcats will be represented at this weekend's NHL All-Star Game.
 

8-year-old Grace Dodgson of Woodstock is one of 40 minor hockey players (7-12-years-old) from across Canada selected to compete in a skills competition, hosted by Canadian Tire.

Dodgson tells Heart FM how she made the top 40.  "Well, I did a Canadian Tire skills competition in Waterloo.  And I did all these skills on the ice and then I was one of the Top 40."

The skill competition includes skating, passing, shooting and stick handling drills.
 

Aside from the contest, Grace will also get to take in the All-Star Game with her Dad, Mike.
Grace thinks about the once in a lifetime opportunity is, "Very Cool!"

Her Dad says he's pretty pumped too.  "Ya, I'm pretty excited.  I've never seen an NHL All-Star Game, I've been to a couple of NHL games, but this is pretty big."

It's playoff tune-up time this weekend in local Jr. C hockey. 

Woodstock will host Norwich tonight at 7:45.  The Navy Vets then play in New Hamburg on Saturday.  The Vets and Firebirds will meet in the first round of the playoffs. 
 

Norwich will travel to Aylmer Saturday for their regular season finale.

Playoff schedules are posted below.

Game #                             Date/Time             Visitor               Home

The Navy Vets will meet the 1st place New Hamburg Firebirds in a best-of-seven 1st round playoff series starting Tuesday Jan 31 @ Southwood Arena. 

The complete series schedule is as follows:

Tue Jan 31 New Hamburg at Woodstock 7:45 pm

Fri Feb 3 Woodstock at New Hamburg 7:30 pm

Sat Feb 4 Woodstock at New Hamburg 7:30 pm

Tue Feb 7 New Hamburg at Woodstock 7:45 pm

Fri Feb 10 Woodstock at New Hamburg 7:30 pm

Tue Feb 14 New Hamburg at Woodstock 7:45 pm

Thu Feb 16 Woodstock at New Hamburg 8:00 pm

Western Mustangs goaltender Josh Unice has been named the male OUA Athlete of the Week for the period January 16-22.
 

In the most anticipated series of the men’s hockey season thus far, Unice, a second-year goaltender for the No. 4 CIS-ranked Western Mustangs, shut the door all weekend against the No. 8 Lakehead Thunderwolves, turning aside all 56 shots he faced to lead the Mustangs to a pair of 1-0 victories on the road.
 

The Mustangs are back in action this Thursday night, Jan. 26, for another road game – this time against the Windsor Lancers at Windsor Arena. Western will then return home next weekend for a rematch against Lakehead on Saturday, Jan. 28, at 7:35 p.m. at Thompson Arena.

The Norwich Merchants will finish 2nd in the Niagara West this season.

They ensured that finish after losing to the New Hamburg Firebirds on Friday night, 3-1.

The Merchants had a much better showing Sunday afternoon in Simcoe, winning 6-1.

Most teams have just 2 regular season games to go before the playoffs open.

Here's a look at the updated standings:
 

The Woodstock Navy Vets met up with the Paris Mounties for back-to-back games.

Woodstock scored with 56-seconds left in the game Saturday night to win 4-3 and hoped for another victory in Paris Sunday.

Paris' Ian Fowler scored two goals early in the game before the Vets answered back in the second with a powerplay goal from Dylan Lazarus.

It was Mike Gillespie's third period goal that finally tied the game up at 2-2.  But with 10 minutes left in the game, Jimmy Spielvogel pulled the Mounties ahead and they didn't look back going on to beat the Vets 3-2.

Woodstock is back home Friday night against the Norwich Merchants.  Puck drops at 7:45 pm.

In Junior 'C' hockey make that 2 in a row for the Woodstock Navy Vets.

Vets Christian Crossett scored with 56 seconds left in the game and the Navy Vets took a 4-3 win over the Paris Mounties.

Kyle Robertson scored a leading 22nd goal of the season, while Dylan Lazarus, and Chris Gilders also scored for the the Navy Vets.

The Vets go for 3 for 3 this week-end with a December re-scheduled game in Paris at 5 this afternoon.

In Local Junior 'C' Hockey action a new goal tender may be just what the Vets need.

Netminder Mike Roefs stopped a penalty shot in the 2nd period and held on for a 3-2 victory against the Aylmer Spitfires.

Derek Cowing bagged 2 goals, along with Christian Crossett also scoring for the Navy Vets.

The Vets still have a busy schedule yet - they'll be in Paris both tonight at 7:30 and Sunday at 5pm taking on the Mounties.

The New Hamburg Firebirds were on their game taking the Norwich Merchants 3-1, Glanbrook took the Peach Kings 4-3 and Caledonia took a 4-2 win away from the Mudcats.

In Junior 'D' the Tavistock Braves were out shot 4-1 by Delhi, the St. George Dukes took a 4-2 drubbing by the Applejacks.

In Local Jr. C hockey, there's a big match-up in Norwich tonight.

The Merchants, with 46-points on the season, are a few games back of the first place New Hamburg Firebirds with 51-points.  Game time is 8PM at the Nor-Del arena.

On paper, the matchup seems to favour New Hamburg, who are 15-0-1 away from home this season.  The Merchants have also been better on the road, and are just 10-7 on home ice.

Also tonight, the Woodstock Navy Vets (6-24-1) are home against the Aylmer Spitfires (12-14-6).  Game time in Woodstock is 7:45.

Monday January 16^th:

South East Boys Hockey:

LordDorchester Secondary School – 10 vs. Huron Park Secondary School– 4

Tuesday January 17^th

South East Junior Girls Volleyball:

Woodstock Collegiate Institute – 0 vs. St. Mary’s Catholic Highschool – 3

HuronPark Secondary School – 3 vs. Glendale Highschool – 2

LordDorchester Secondary School -3 vs. College Ave Secondary School – 1

South East Senior Girls Volleyball:

Woodstock Collegiate Institute – 1 vs. St. Mary’s Catholic Highschool – 3

HuronPark Secondary School – 0 vs. Glendale Highschool – 3

LordDorchester Secondary School – 3 vs. College Ave Secondary School – 1

Senior Boys Basketball:

GlendaleHighschool – 11 vs. Huron Park Secondary School – 68

St.Mary’s Catholic Highschool – 50 vs. Woodstock Collegiate Institute – 47

GlendaleHighschool – 5 vs. Huron Park Secondary School – 68

In local Jr. D hockey, Chad Woodhouse scored a pair of goals, leading the Tavistock Braves to a 4-1 win over the Norfolk Rebels Sunday afternoon.

In Local Junior 'C' hockey action the Aylmer Spitfires were all over the Woodstock Navy Vets Saturday night.

Forward Dylan Lazarus scored the only goal for the Vets in a 6-1 drubbing by the Spitfires.

The (6-24 and 1) Navy Vets will take on the (12-14 and 6) Spits again at home at 7:45 at Southwood arena Friday night. The puck drops at 7:45pm.

In other action Paris weathered the Storm 5-3, Dundas tripled up on the Grimsby Peach Kings 6-2, Chippewa Visits Grimsby at 7:30.

The Simcoe Storm will take on the New Hamburg Firebirds tonight at 7.

In Junior 'D' play the Rebels tango with the Tavistock Braves at 2:00 this afternoon and Burford will host Ayr at 7:30 tonight.

In Local Hockey the Woodstock Navy Vets took a 5-1 beating by the New Hamburg Firebirds at Southwood Arena Friday night.

Ryan Wells scored the lone goal for the Vets.

The Vets take on the Spitfires in Aylmer tonight  - game time set for 7:30.

And...Vets Forward Kyle Robertson was named payer of the month in the Niagara & District Junior Hockey League West Division.

Robertson has earned 21 Goals and 16 assists for a total of 37 points.

In other local action the Simcoe Storm doubled up on the Norwich Merchants with a score of 4-2.

The Merchants next game is against the New Hamburg Firebirds in Norwich Firday night at 8:00pm.

Mandy Bujold is one step closer to qualifying for the London Olympics after claiming the Canadian women's boxing title at 51 kilograms.
   
The Kitchener, Ont., native was declared the winner after Amanda Galle of Mississauga, Ont., Bujold's opponent in Friday's final, failed the morning medical due to an injury.

The victory locked up a spot in the world championships, which is also the Olympic qualifier, in China in May.

Bujold says "This was another stepping stone to make my Olympic dream a reality, and I am looking forward to preparing for China and claiming my spot at the 2012 Olympics.''

Woodstock has some tough competition when division-leading New Hamburg comes to Southwood arena tonight.

The Vets, who are sitting at 6-22-1 are facing off against the Firebirds who are sitting at 22-5-3.

Woodstock made an addition to their defensive lines this week.  Goalie Michael Roefs from the GOHL St.Thomas Stars and defenceman Matt Welsh of Tillsonburg were acquired by the Navy Vets this week, ahead of the OHA trade deadline.

Game time is 7:45 pm.

In Norwich, the Merchants are home to the Simcoe Storm.  Game time there is 8 pm.  The Merchants are sitting just two points ahead of Simcoe in the West Division.

RESULTS FROM WED. JAN. 11

BOYS:

Visitor:	Woodstock C.I.	1
Home:	College Avenue S.S.	3

GIRLS:

Visitor:	Ingersoll D.C.I	1	Kayla Roy
Home:	St. Mary's C.H.S.	1	Clare Sabine

This Saturday, they'll be knocking down pins, while trying to knockdown cancer.
 

C&D Lanes is hosting its first annual "Knockdown Cancer" event.

From 4-7PM, it's an all-you-can-bowl event featuring live entertainment, auctions and raffles in support of the Canadian Cancer Society.

Co-owner of C&D Lanes, Carol Skillings says the campaign was born last year, just down the 401.  "The idea came from a man who has a bowling centre in Mississauga.  He started it last year, and this year, it has gone to an 80 centre event across Canada."

On top of the 10-dollar admission to Saturday's event, 25-cents from every shoe rental at C&D this month, goes to the Cancer Society.
 

Aside from bowling and live entertainment, there are also some raffles and silent auction items that include a hockey stick signed by the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Innerkip native Mark Kean is getting another shot at the provincial curling championships.

Kean, the skip of the Ajax-Pickering Annandale Curling Club has qualified for the Ontario Curling Champioship.

The "Dominion Tankard" is coming up close to home, at the Stratford Rotary Complex, February 6th-12th.

Kean's rink will look to improve on it's 3-7 record from the 2011 Tankard in Grimsby.