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Dundas opens 2nd half with back-to-back victories
By Brad Kennedy, photo by Karen Robillard

Dundas opened 2010 with back-to-back victories, and their fans can look forward to more of the same Friday night (January 15) when the McCoys play host to Norwood Vipers, in their only game of the weekend, in JL Grightmire Arena at 7:45 p.m.

The Real McCoys received yet another strong performance from goaltender Brett Leggat, who posted 41 saves to give Dundas the 4-3 victory and earned him his fifth win of the season. The win was a four-pointer for the McCoys in terms of the standings.

There were some scary moments in the second and third periods when Leggat ventured out of his net to handle the puck like a skater, and almost got caught. In the third, it did cost him and one of his trips led to a goal that gave life to the Dunnies. The next night, Dundas kept up with their winning ways and cruised to a 6-3 victory in Orillia.

“Well it’s a great way to start the New Year. Our objective as a team is to get into first and earn home-ice advantage in the playoffs. In order to reach that goal we need to win clutch games, like we did against Whitby at home,” said Real McCoys General Manager Don Robertson.

“We’ve proved to ourselves we can skate with any club in this league, and (now) we’re really starting to gel as a team.”
Despite a quiet first period, last Friday, the McCoys opened the floodgates in the second period, putting four goals past Whitby goaltender Chad Ford. Nick Smith scored his team leading ninth goal as Steve Hurst, Frank Grandits and Ryan Christie added the others as part of the club’s offensive effort. Kyle Ventura scored twice for Whitby.

McCoys Ryan Christie battles Whitby’s Chad Ford (1) for the loose puck. Dundas won 4-3.

A high-powered offensive display in the second period was the story once again as the Real McCoys posted four goals, and never looked back. Shawn Shewchuk (two goals), and Justin Davis (three goals) combined for a remarkable five of the six-goal outburst. Tom Brown added a single.

Despite scoring six, the Real McCoys were challenged defensively, however, the strong goaltending by Bryan Worosz, and solid back checking proved too much for the Tundras.

Dennis Dewar scored twice and set up another scoring play.

Teddy Bears, Santa Claus arrive in Dundas Friday
By Brad Kennedy with files by Larry Robertson, Photo by Karen Robillard
DUNDAS--Dundas Real McCoys exemplified the character of their team this past weekend, bouncing back from a heart-breaking shootout loss Friday night to earn two points on Saturday for a three-point weekend in Major League Hockey action.

Last Friday, they fell 5-4 to the Whitby Dunlops after falling behind 2-0 in the early going. The following night they poured on the pressure in overtime with Dan Pitre finding the net on tic-tac-toe scoring play set up by Ryan Healy and Rob DeCiantis for a 6-5 victory over the Vipers at Norwood.

The Real McCoys return to action for Scotiabank Teddy Bear Toss Night in the JL Grightmire Arena Friday (December 18) against the Orillia-Coldwater Tundras. Santa Claus will also be on hand and the Grisdale Food Drive continues throughout the month of December.

“It was a pretty good weekend, getting three out of four points, but I would like to have shut Whitby down because they lost to Orillia, Saturday…but that's what makes a small league strong,” said Don Robertson, General Manager of the Real McCoys.

“We would like to grab four points this weekend as we head into the Christmas break. We may also be adding a couple guys soon if Santa’s good to us.”

Dundas continues to be plagued late starts, and it showed itself again last Friday against the Dunnies even though they were sporting new jerseys in support of the Valley Town becoming “Kraft Hockeyville 2010.”

Ryan Kuwabara inspired by the Dundas Real McCoys “Kraft Hockeyville 2010” jerseys scored twice and added two assists against the Whitby Dunlops last Friday night. Dundas lost in a shootout 5-4.

Despite pouring on the offense in the first period, the McCoys found themselves in a hole down two goals heading into the second period. Frustrations got the best of the players with the McCoys and Dunlops combining for 74 minutes in penalties. Inspired by the play of Ryan (Manny) Kuwabara, Dundas got back into the game in the third as Kuwabara scored twice and added two assists including a helper on Nick Smith’s game-tying goal with less than a minute to play. Ryan Christie added the other goal.

Overtime solved nothing as McCoys goalkeeper Brett Leggat stood on his head to keep the Dunlops high-powered offence at bay. Dundas could not solve goaltender TJ Rudnicki, out shooting the Dunnies 4-2 in the frame.

In the shootout round, he was equally as tough turning away all three Dundas shooters to secure the Dunlops victory.

Dundas had no time to dwell on the loss as they went back on the road Saturday, to travel to Peterborough to battle the Vipers.

It was not long before the McCoys got on the scoreboard with Healy opening up the offense for the McCoys in the first frame. The club showed how effective its powerplay could be as they converted three special team plays into goals.

Regulation did not provide enough time for either team to score the go-ahead-goal, and the game headed once again into overtime. Frank Grandits, Smith, Justin Davis, and Healy with his second completed the scoring.

Smith, Kuwabara smother Norwood Vipers
By Dave Watson
DUNDAS--Dundas Real McCoys will be wearing new jerseys in support of Dundas becoming “Kraft Hockeyville 2010” during their Major League Senior AAA Hockey game against Whitby Dunlops on Friday (December 11) in the JL Grightmire Arena.

The Valley Town has a strong opportunity to win the contest, sponsored by Kraft and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), which will provide close to $100, 000 in up-grades for JL Grightmire Arena. As well, there will be a National Hockey League pre-season game played at the winning site. Fans are encouraged to visit www.dundashockeyville.ca to share their hockey stories, or for more information.

Nick Smith (4) beats Norwood Vipers goalkeeper Ryan Aschaber for one of three goals he scored last Friday in a Dundas 7-3 victory.
Photo by Mike Pearson.

“Smith enjoys offensive powers that few in our league possess,” said Co-coach and General Manager Don Robertson. “When firing on all cylinders, he’s capable of [scoring three goals] on any given night”.

Dundas led 3-1 after the first period with goals by Smith, JJ Martin, and Ryan Healy. Healy scored on a two-on-one break, after accepting a pass from teammate Dan Pitre. Norwood’s Mike Craigen replied on the powerplay to put the Vipers on the board.

The Vipers managed to tie the score in the second period with two goals on four shots. Vipers goalkeeper Ryan Aschaber stopped all 14 shots that he faced in that period.

The Real McCoys opened the scoring in the third period with a shorthanded goal by Smith, which proved to be the game winner. Dundas scored three more times in the period including a second shorthanded goal, this time by Mike Amodeo.

“We lead the League in shorthanded goals, and we’ve played the fewest games…We have a lot of skill and can capitalize on misfortunes,” added Robertson.

Dundas went 0-6 on the powerplay, but outshot Norwood 49-25.

Fans of the McCoys are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to the following two Friday home games (December 11 and 18). The Real McCoys are continuing to support the Grisdale Food Drive throughout the month of December, and request your support as well.

Friday, December 18th is also Scotiabank Teddy Bear Toss Night. Fans are asked to bring stuffed Teddy Bears to the game to toss onto the ice, and be donated to under privileged children during the Christmas Holiday season.

Late start, and hot goalkeeping proves costly
By Brad Kennedy

DUNDAS --Dundas Real McCoys suffered a heart breaking 5-4 shootout loss to Norwood Vipers in Major League Hockey action last Friday night in Dundas ’ JL Grightmire Arena.

Dundas gets a shot at redemption Friday night (December 4) when they again play host to Norwood at home. Game time is 7:45 p.m.

Team	GP	W	L	OTL	SOL	PTS	PCT	GF	GA	PIM	HOME	AWAY
Whitby	12	9	3	0	0	18	.750	66	41	322	6-1-0-0	3-2-0-0
Norwood	14	7	7	0	0	14	.500	55	70	203	3-3-0-0	4-4-0-0
Dundas	9	6	2	0	1	13	.722	41	31	116	3-0-0-1	3-2-0-0
Orillia/Coldwater	9	0	7	1	1	2	.111	30	50	144	0-4-1-0	0-3-0-1

Norwood came out of the gate with a strong attack, catching the McCoys flatfooted. The Vipers sailed to an early 3-0 lead midway through the game. The McCoys undisciplined play resulted in two power-play goals for Norwood .

$5 from every paid admission will be donated to this year’s United Way campaign. The McCoys feature several former professional players including Hamilton’s Nick Smith, team captain Mike Kennedy and Beamsville native Ryan Christie, all of whom played in the National Hockey League.

“The Real McCoys couldn’t be happier, than to be working with the Hamilton-Burlington United Way this season. We are looking forward to adding the UW to our list of Charities of Choice for the years to come,” said President Don Robertson.

“Besides winning hockey games and entertaining our fans, we continue to make a contribution to the community because we are "More than just a Hockey Team.”

McCoys will bounce back Friday in a United Way
By Dave Watson

Dundas will look to get back on track Friday (November 27) when they face the Norwood Vipers at 7:45 p.m. in Dundas’ J.L. Grightmire Arena. It will be a big night in more ways than one for the McCoys; it will be United Way Night with $ 5 from each ticket donated to the Hamilton-Burlington United Way Campaign.

Last Friday, the opening goal of the game came because of a Dundas power play, which proved costly for the McCoys when Whitby’s Adam Van Dam scored shorthanded to put the Dunlops in front.

Whitby was able to sustain the pressure and take a two-goal lead as David Silverstone connected. Shane Terry assisted the goal for his 18th point of the season, which tied him for the league lead. Dundas was outshot 17-12 on the period.

“We’ve been winning on the road with a short bench, but we can’t do that with Whitby the first place team. It has caught up to us twice and produced our only two loses, said General Manager and Co-coach Don Robertson,

“We had no jump or emotion in this game, but this is the first time, so we’ll cut them some slack on this one. We’ll be better Friday against the Vipers, at least we better be”

The middle period was a strange one in that three shots produced three goals. JJ Martin scored the McCoys lone goal on their only shot of the period. Whitby managed a pair of goals on their only two chances of the period including an unassisted goal by Bob McQuat. The goal was McQuat’s third point of the afternoon, and his play earned him the game’s first star.

In the final frame, the two teams fired 46 shots each other (25-21 for Whitby), but no one could score even though it took only three shots to net as many goals.

Whitby goalie, Chad Ford, thwarted any attempt at a Dundas comeback, stopping all 21 shots that he faced in the period. Dundas goalie, Brett Leggat did his best to keep his mates alive stopping the 25 Whitby shots fired his way in the period.

Dundas missed a golden opportunity for a comeback when they failed to score on a two-minute two-man-advantage when Sean Schoffer and Brett Connolly received head contact and slashing penalties at 12:06. Schoffer also received a 10-minute-misconduct for the hit to the head. Another minor followed these to Jon Ross two minutes later.


Streak 3 straight with back-to-back wins
By Dave Watson
DUNDAS--Dundas Real McCoys looked like they were in mid-season form Friday night, winning their home opener 5-2 against the Norwood Vipers and completed the sweep of the home-and-home series on Sunday night, winning 7-3 in Norwood.

The Real McCoys have several new faces on the roster that will provide some valuable experience.

“[Ryan] Kuwabara is going to be a premier player…He’ll be a real treat to watch all year,” said General Manager and Co-coach Don Robertson.

Ryan Christie (24) and Ryan Kuwabara (23) are front and centre as Norwood Vipers goalkeeper Jeff Quinlan dives for the loose puck last Friday. Dundas Real McCoys won 5-2. Photo by Karen Robillard.

Dundas answered with a goal by Rob DeCiantis off a cross-ice pass from John Neal. A cross check by Viper Steve Thomas gave Dundas a powerplay 18 seconds after the goal. Tom Brown connected on a blistering slapshot from the point that hit the post and beat Norwood goalie, Jeff Quinlan.

Norwood tied the game when a pass from Thomas sent Adrian Wilson in alone on a break away.

Good goaltending and defence were the story in the second period. A fanned clearing attempt by Dundas led to a breakaway opportunity for Norwood. Leggat, however, was able to stack the pads and make an incredible save, keeping the game tied at two goals apiece.

Finally, with 13.3 seconds remaining in the period, captain Mike Kennedy managed the only goal, giving Dundas a 3-2 lead. Kennedy received the first star of the game, when his goal proved to be the winner.

Dundas did all the scoring in the third period with two short-handed goals by Neal and Ryan Christie. Christie split between two Viper defenders, after blocking a shot attempt, and lifted the puck past Quinlan with the two players draped over him.

Back in Norwood on Sunday night, for the second straight game, the Vipers opened the scoring. However, undisciplined play from the home squad led to powerplay goals for Frank Grandits and Mike Kennedy, giving Dundas a 2-1 lead after the first period.

Sustained pressure and good goaltending by Dundas enabled the Real McCoys to extend their lead to 4-1 in the second period. Justin Davis and first star of the game, Mike Amodeo, recorded their first goals of the season. Amodeo added two more including an empty net goal, for a three-goal night.

Robertson said Amodeo was “in the right place at the right time” and gave a “pretty gritty effort” as the veterans had to step up because of a shortened bench.

Backup goalie Bryan Worosz provided “outstanding goaltending,” said Robertson. Worosz stopped all the Norwood shots in the period, as Dundas outshot Norwood 15-5.

Norwood attempted a comeback opening the third period with a powerplay goal, but Dundas proved too tough an opponent, and scored three more times in the period.

Dundas is looking to extend their winning streak to four Friday night (November 13) when they face the Whitby Dunlops at 7:45 p.m. in Dundas’ J.L. Grightmire Arena.

Real McCoys start Friday
Robertson Cup Champions are Home
DUNDAS--Last year’s Major League Hockey Allstars are back and the Dundas Real McCoys (1-1-0) have added some depth, youth, and a lot of extra Blast, and Friday they want you to bottle it up with a Tim Hortons water bottle at Talk820 Night in the JL Grightmire Arena. Game time is 7:45 p.m.

Hamilton’s Ryan Kuwabara, a 39th overall pick of the Montreal Canadiens who went on to play in the American Hockey League, and was an Olympian with Japan in the 2006 winter Olympics is the highest profile new comer to his the ice this season.

Don Robertson’s McCoys have done what they promised by adding some youth and skill with signing of David MacNab, 25, from Brockport College in the NCAA, John Wheaton, a 25-year-old native of Cambridge (Swindon, British National League), John Neal, 24, from Bloomington of the International Hockey League, and JJ Martin, 25, from Bossier-Shreveport Mudbugs of the Central Hockey League.

But that’s not all; Dundas has also picked up four members of the last season’s Brantford Blast hockey club, Jim Baxter, Jeremy Bloomfield, Steve Hurst, and Ryan Healy. Baxter, Bloomfield, Hurst and Healy all played the past two seasons with the Blast winning the Allan Cup in 2008, and will ably compliment other former Brantford forward Dan Pitre, and goalkeepers Brett Leggat and Bryan Worosz who were previously with the McCoys. Pitre and Worosz were also part of that 2008 Allan Cup squad.

Dundas now boasts a formidable lineup featuring six players who have won the Allan Cup emblematic of Canadian Senior AAA hockey supremacy.

Dundas Allstars return for yet another season
DUNDAS--Dundas’s 10th Anniversary Senior AAA hockey club plans to add a seventh Major League Hockey championship to its mantel, and another trip to the Allan Cup Tournament for the Senior AAA Hockey Championship of Canada at Fort McMurray, B.C. this coming April.

It all begins tomorrow (Tuesday) night in Copps Coliseum as Dundas opens its 2009 Senior AAA training camp. A total of 27 players led by Captain Mike Kennedy are set to hit the Coliseum ice at 9:30 p.m. Media wishing to cover the camp opener should enter through the Media Entrance and security will direct you to the Dundas dressing room.

The Seniors are off to a great start following the re-signing of former National Hockey Leaguers and 2008-09 MLH Allstars, Ryan Christie and Nick Smith. Goalkeeper Brett Leggatt, the League’s leading goalkeeper last season marks a great start in keeping the goals against down.

This season’s schedule has been released and Dundas Senior hockey season tickets are now available through the Com/Choice Realty office situated at 179 King Street West in downtown Dundas.

Coaches of the Year, Ken Mann, and Ron Bernacci are back for another campaign on the bench for the home side. Mann has now guided the club to five League championships, and looks to add to that number this season.

“The League is very tough and each night is a battle to get a point, which makes for great hockey and great fun on game nights,” said Mann.

“It’s great to see the guys we have re-signed back, and I know that we’ll add some depth and youth to the mix this season. “

“Our plan is to add a number of players over the next few weeks while we prepare for training camp. We will have a Red and White game on Friday, October 16 at 7:30 p.m. in the JL Grightmire Arena,” general manager Don Robertson.

“Dundas has had great success over the past nine years with a tremendous on and off the ice record. The championships are good, but it’s our on-going contribution to the community that we measure ourselves. The work our Executive Board puts in ensures that we continue in that vein, “added Robertson.

“A large number of our Board members have been with us since day one while others have joined a long the way to augment our work, with theirs. The Teddy Bear Toss, the Spectator Summer Camp, and other areas we work in, are what makes us so proud of the we work we do within the community. This year, we are adding the United Way to the mix in an effort to help them continue the great work that they do in our community.“