Matt & Leo
Matt and Leo were both 5 years old. They lived on opposite sides of Thunder Bay. They had never met before they stepped on the ice. Neither had ever worn a full set of hockey gear before the afternoon they met, so they shared a common mystery. What the heck are my parents thinking? I can not move with this stuff on let alone skate. But they did eventually start slowly moving around on the ice, sticking close to each other.
For a month and a half they were grouped together as first liners in the Northwood Hockey League and they practiced together twice a week. When teams were made they didn't see each other at practice anymore but during their first game against each other they met and talked over the game. Matt decided to have a seat in the corner and since Leo knew he could not join him on the opposing team's bench for a chat, he decided to join him right there in the corner as the game went on. It's one of those iconic pictures, it really says a lot about the league because no one saw anything but two friends taking a break together, no one got excited because they weren't playing the game. They were just having fun being Matt and Leo. - Ron Kresack
The Parent
It was after a playoff game. A young but seasoned referee calls me over and tells me there's a parent in the stands on the far side of the Gardens who has been on his case all game long. I look over and tell the ref it can't be him, his kid doesn't play until the next game. As we're talking we look in the direction of the parent in question, he waves. Blood pressure rising, steam pouring from both ears I head through the hallways and am in front of him in about 30 seconds. "Why are you hassling the ref when your kid is not even playing"? I ask. "He missed an offside," he informs me as if this is something that will make me understand.
I let him know that while he's here he can sit quietly or cheer for his son's team. But if he continued to yell at the refs he could wait outside in the cold until the game is over. If he doesn't believe me I can have the police help him understand. They don't come to the rink for this kind of thing anymore without giving you a free ride to Balmoral Street. He was very quiet for the rest of the playoffs.- Ron Kresack
One More Goal - Part 1
March 1998. The 1998 Elks Tom Thumb Atom A Championship was the first major tournament win for Northwood. In 1997 a slightly stronger Atom team had gone to the finals only to be beaten by a powerhouse Long Lac Timberwolves team 7-3. Just scoring a goal was a major feat against them and our guys kept things close for the entire game.
This time around the team was in their last round robin game Saturday evening at the Neebing Arena in need of a win to move on. Since other teams were still playing at another rink the coaches did not know how many goals they needed to secure a spot in the final. A tie in the standings meant that goals for and against would be the difference if both teams fighting for a spot in the finals won their last game.
We were tied with just minutes to go but managed to get one in the last three minutes to go ahead. I was in the stands keeping track of the other game at the Port Arthur Arena by phone with a long time baseball colleague who was working the tournament for the Elks. I called and we did the math, a win was not enough. Two minutes to go in the game, as manager of the team I was ok to run around the arena and let head coach Murray Advent know they had to score again. So with a one goal lead he pulled his goalie much to the dismay of every parent on our team. They thought Murray was crazy until they heard what was going on afterward. As it turned out the kids got the goal they needed, moved on to the 8am game on Sunday, won that one and then defeated the Neebing Red Wings 2-1 in the afternoon championship game. Check out part 2 of this story for another championship saved by a calculator.
One More Goal - Part 2
February 2000. Another Saturday night game at the Neebing Arena. The core of the Atom team are now our Northwood Knights pee wee team. The team has finished the round robin and the game in this story involves our arch rivals the Westfort Rangers who we had fought for first place overall in the regular season. The Rangers were facing the winless Nipigon Elks who were down to 7 skaters and a goalie. They would be no competition for the Rangers who featured a 6'2" defenceman who could skate and shoot like an adult.
The game was never close but we had an ace up our sleeves. The Rangers coach thought they only need to win. As the team came by me they were already celebrating. I was working for the Elks this time and knew how many goals they needed to take the spot in the Sunday semi-final from the Knights. The Nipigon team was exhausted after two periods but got a short break while the Zamboni flooded the ice. I explained the spoiler role they could play as I handed out the box of oranges and gatorade which they normally get after the game. I had 8 new friends.
Recharged, they held off the Rangers for the third period allowing only one goal. It was a pleasuere to inform the Westfort coach after the game that they had come up short. The Knights went on to win the Elks Central Canada Tournament Pee Wee A crown the next day. -Ron Kresack
Ron Kresack is no stranger to minor hockey. It started when his oldest son, Michael, began to play the game in 1990, and he has been involved ever since.
Like most hockey dads, Ron started behind the bench as a coach, before slowly taking on more responsibilities, rising to the position of president of the Northwood Hockey League, a role he continues to hold; the 2014-15 season is his 21st in the association’s top job.
Ron has devoted his weekends to the game for more than two decades, occasionally time-keeping for games at all levels, and serving as the secretary for the Lakehead Minor Hockey League up until the end of last season.
Many would not understand or appreciate the countless hours Ron has put in both at the rink and at home, with all the paperwork and scheduling that comes with the role of NMHA president. Through the last 20+ years, though, his ultimate goal has never changed – to provide the best minor hockey opportunity for children and parents.
Northwood Hockey League - Thunder Bay
Email
Print
