News

By Colin Percy

 

Summer may still be full bloom, but the Norwich Merchants have been working hard on the ice as they prepare to open up the 2018/19 season on September 14th against the Wellesley Apple Jacks. Head coach Dave Smith and his staff have been working hard in camp whittling down the over 40 players and he’s had a trio of games to look at potential players.

 

On Saturday August 18th, Norwich hosted the Aylmer Spitfires. Norwich native Brady Van Ymeren opened the scoring for Norwich 9:21. Returning forward Dan Gallagher made it 2-0 just over 6 minutes later. Aylmer clawed one back 1:42 into the second, but Mason Cooper restored the 2 goal lead moments later. Floodgates opened in the 3rd. Van Ymeren potted his second of the night 2:55 into the period. Matt Caskanette made it 5-1 just over a minute later. The Spits answered back with 12:28 remaining, but Norwich didn’t hold back as Gallagher scored his second goal 1:02 later. Blake Pow scored twice in a 41 second span and Cooper dangled his way through the defense late in the game as Norwich crushed Aylmer 9-2. Justin Passero (2), Nehemiah Dube, Curtis Hagy, Keegan Wilkins, Gallagher (3), Alex Sutherland (2), Pow (2), Cooper (2) and Caskanette notched assists for Norwich. Spencer Kowalsky made 15 saves on 16 shots to earn the win while Jacob Orth stopped 10 of 11 shots faced in relief. Norwich outshot Aylmer 50 to 27 in the contest.

 

Norwich played their second game at home against the Hagersville Hawks on Friday night and Norwich started with a bang with Norwich scoring twice in the first 1:08 courtesy of goals when Gallagher and Owen Sullivan. Hagersville cut the lead in half 10:20 later, but Jake Luke slotted in his first of the pre-season 2:39 seconds later. The Hawks would bury a shorthanded break-away goal late in the frame to send Norwich to the dressing room up by one. The second period started similarly like the first with Dube scoring just 13 seconds into the period. Hagersville answered back again with back-to-back goals to tie the game at 4 after 40 minutes. Gage Deborghraeve capitalized on a rebound 6:13 into the third. Sullivan added an insurance marker with 2:20 left that would turn out to be vital as the Hawks scored with 9 seconds left, but Norwich would hold on for the 6-5 win. Pow, Mitchell Ryksen, Dube and Sutherland had assists for Norwich while Tyler Gubesch stopped 14 of 17 shots faced in the game. Brandon McIntosh picked up the win in relief with 7 saves on 9 shots. Norwich outshot Hagersville 34-26 in the game.

 

The Merchants hit the road for the first time this pre-season when they visited the Aylmer Spitfires on Saturday night. For the 3rd straight game, Norwich would score the game’s first goal, this time courtesy of Norwich native Tyler Dyment 9:50 into the game. Returning overage forward Ryan Dayman made it 2-0 seven minutes into the second period. Caskanette notched his second of the pre-season with 4:54 left in the middle frame to give Norwich a 3-0 lead after 40 minutes. Aylmer quickly made it a 1 goal game in the third period when they scored twice in the first 3:27. Van Ymeren would score 5:16 late and Luke would add a 5th for Norwich as they remained perfect courtesy of a 5-2 win. Luke (2), Quin Kramer (2) and John Foreman registered assists for Norwich while Kowalsky stopped all 10 shots he faced to earn the win. McIntosh stopped 10 of 12 shots faced in relief. Norwich outshot Aylmer 39-22 in the victory.

 

Norwich will continue the pre-season this Thursday when they visit their division rival New Hamburg Firebirds at 7:30pm. They’ll pay a return visit to Hagersville on Thursday September 6th also at 7:30pm before closing out their exhibition schedule on Friday September 7th when they host New Hamburg. Game day sponsor that night will be Norwich Pharmasave.

 

Norwich will open the regular season on Friday September 14th when they host the Wellesley Apple Jacks at 8pm. Prior to the game, up and coming band The Small Town Girls will perform their hits on stage starting at 6pm. Mackenzie Leigh Meyer will hit the stage immediately following the game. Maddy Moo’s Food Truck will also be on hand along with Bone-In catering providing fish tacos. There is also a licensed beer garden in the community centre parking lot that will remain open throughout the night. There will also be a brief opening ceremony taking place on the ice prior to the 8pm puck drop. Nor-Del Cable is the Game Day sponsor for the evening.

 

Norwich will hit the road the following night Saturday September 15th when they visit Paris at 7:30pm.

 

 

OVERTIME

 

10 Games currently remain available for sponsorship this upcoming season. For only $500, you or your business can take over the rink on a game night. Contact any Merchant executive member for available game nights and package details.