In all my years of hockey I have been called upon to do many things aside from coaching or playing. I've driven the bus, helped make repairs at the rink so we could finish a game, filled in as a timekeeper and announcer, called into service as a trainer, led an evacuation of the arena after smelling leaking propane while coaching a game, etc, etc. But never was I asked to fill in as an emergency goaltender.
Well, a few days before he left for Johnstown, I confirmed that Jim Mair had indeed done that in Johnstown.
I received an email from an old pal Terry Cecchini and the wonderful Sue, his wife, that there was a stat for Jimmy having played 15 minutes of goal with a 3.94 GAA, and a tie game on record.
So I called the Jet and asked about it and sure enough Jimmy confirmed that he did indeed tend goal. So here's what I gleaned from our conversation and articles from that time.
It seems like Johnstown's goalie Jim Coombs was tossed from the game with just under five minutes played of the third period of a game against New Haven.
So who ends up playing in net for the Jets the rest of the way? Yup, Jimmy.
The guys in front of Jim played their butts off trying to keep New Haven from getting a shot on him. No worries boys. Jimmy stopped all 11 shots he faced until with 39 seconds left New Haven managed to sneak one in with six attackers on the ice. The game would end up tied as there was no O/T back then. I failed to mention that Jimmy also scored a goal in the second period playing right wing. Mr. Versatility indeed.
Jimmy's night of honour in Johnstown was wildly successful and enjoyed by all.
The Timmins Sports Heritage Hall of Fame website has a terrific array of pictures you can view from the event. And like I predicted there is a picture of Jimmy sitting in the penalty box with two buddies.
I'll tell you one thing, the Tomahawks and those who helped put together this night came up aces. They could give a course in how to do these things.
As of this writing, the 2024 Youth Olympic Winter Games are being held in Gangneung, Korea. This is the fourth time the games have been held and there are 1,803 athletes from 78 Olympic committee jurisdictions competing.
Sudbury's Mateo Beites is competing as a goaltender with the men's hockey team. Beites plays for the Barrie U16 team in the Ontario Minor Hockey Association.
Team Canada will play for bronze after losing a heartbreaking game 6-5 in a shootout versus the Americans in the semis.
The men's roster is made up from players across Canada who are 2008 birthdates (U16).
What an absolutely exciting time it must be for these athletes. Canada and the U.S. did not send teams to compete in women's hockey.
So apparently nobody told the 49ers and Lions how the coin flip works. You know it's about who will receive the ball and that, eh? Nope allegedly the two teams decided that the Lions would play offence and defence while the 49ers did neither and then they would switch to the Niners playing offence and defence while Detroit watched. At least that's how I saw it.
This past weekend in a game, Sidney Crosby was at 77 per cent on face-off wins. Those are Bobby Clarke-type numbers you just don't see anymore. Sid is not only not slowing down with age he is as good as he has ever been.
Work on the Mac historical designation continues as we speak. But it is with much anticipation that I let you know that we are teaming up with an amazing group and organization to pursue that goal. After we have a meeting shortly I'll discuss the group we are teaming up with and how that happened.
Later Skater
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