2014 Year in Review, Looking forward to 2015 and the ParaPan Games

Wow, I can't believe another year has come and gone! Our blogging team has grown to 7 people, which includes myself, Donald, Neil, and new members Alexis, Julie, Nicole, and RV. Thanks to the team we have written 157 articles (including our Sports, Technology, Travel, and Work blogs) and there has been 19,500 more page views than last year.

Here are our reflections of 2014 successes:

• Continued success with TPWHL Game summaries.
• New success with the Chair Yoga bi–weekly segment by Julie.
• Most viewed SportsEnables.Me article is the Electric Hockey Demo at Variety Village.
• Most viewed TechnologyEnables.Me articles are the Assistive Technology Holiday Gift Guide and The Wheelmap app will take you places.
• Most viewed TravelEnables.Me article is the Rail Trip to Ottawa; and WorkEnables.Me article is The Ontario Direct Funding Program article from our guest writer Connie.

Here are some of our favorite articles:

1. Road trip to the USA! Accessibility travel!
2. The 2014 PowerHockey Cup.
3. The always enjoyable articles written by Donald Barrie, which includes the 2014 Sochi Paralympics coverage.
4. VAT (Voter Assist Terminal) article from TechnologyEnables.Me.
5. Windreach Farm and My Adventure in Whitehorse article from TravelEnables.Me.

In 2015 we are looking forward to:

• Writing about the 2015 ParaPan Games in Toronto, Ontario happening between August 7th to the 15th!
• Covering a wide variety of stories, experiences and events related to accessibility.
• Continue to grow our team of writers.

I would like to wish all of you a healthy and successful 2015!

Isaac leads Kings over Wolves

Created by Neil

December 20, 2014 – Kings vs. Wolves (Boxscore)

The Kings doubled up the Wolves 6 – 3 avenging an earlier defeat in the season.

In the first period, Saverio Romano gave the Wolves an early 1 – 0 lead. The Kings would answer back at 8:45 on a goal from Isaac to tie the game. However two minutes later at 10:45 the Wolves would take the lead again 2 – 1 on a beautiful shot from Saverio Romano assisted by Mitchell Stark.The Kings Isaac once again tied the game in the dying seconds to end the frame.

In the second period, the Kings took their first lead of the game 3 – 2 on a goal from substitute player Jeremy who was left in front of the Wolves net for the easy tap in, after a deflection off a defenseman. Before the end of the frame the Wolves would tie the game at 3 from Saverio Romano's hat trick goal assisted by Mitchell Stark.

In the third period, Jeremy deked out the Wolves defense and scored on the backhand to give the Kings a 4 – 3 lead. Four minutes later he would once again score on a high looping shot for a two-goal 8dvantage. Isaac rounded out the scoring with his hat trick goal. The Kings goalie Leo Xu was great in helping his team to close out the game, and the defense played solid as well.

The TPWHL season will resume in the new year on January 17.

Roberto makes debut in hard-fought battle against Bulldogs

Created by Neil

December 13, 2014 – Bulldogs vs. Mustangs (Boxscore)

Both teams battled hard in a 4 – 2 win for the Bulldogs.

In the first period, Jerry Mariano would score twice to help give the Bulldogs a 2 – 0 lead. It was Jerry's 22nd goal of the season.

In the second period, it was scoreless with a strong effort by both goalies Brad Gordon and Mohit Sharma keeping the score close.

In the third period, Mustangs rookie Roberto Monteiro who was playing his first ever PowerHockey game, scored his first goal to cut the lead to 2 – 1 assisted by Nicole Neeson at 2:25. However at 5:05 the Bulldogs would score twice in a minute to take a 4 – 1 lead, thanks to Christine Pacheco's second goal of the season and Monique Lawrence's first goal assisted by Jerry Mariano. The Mustangs would continue fighting hard with Nicole Neeson's 10th goal of the season assisted by Roberto Monteiro with five minutes remaining, but were unable to get another one pass the Bulldogs goalie.

Saints snaps the Kings three-game winning streak

Created by Neil

December 13, 2014 – Saints vs. Kings (Boxscore)

The Saints win 4 – 3 snapping the Kings three-game winning streak.

In the first period, it was all Saints where Brandy Edwards scored three goals to help her team lead 3 – 0.

In the second period, the Saints would extend the lead to 4 – 0 at 7:15 on a goal from substitute player Roberto Monteiro assisted by Brandy Edwards. However starting 13 seconds later the Kings picked up their game and scored 3 straight goals to cut the lead to 4 – 3. Two of the goals were scored by Isaac, Sharmin Alam would add a goal and an assist, and David Donnelly contributed with three assists.

In the third period, the Kings had a lot of great chances to tie the game including on the power-play with Saints Brandy Edwards in the penalty box for dangerous driving at 9:50. But the Kings was turned aside by Tracey Taylor who had a solid effort in net, and also great defensive plays from the team to preserve the win.

Lake Raiders double up on Saints

December 6, 2014 – Lake Raiders vs. Saints (Boxscore)

In the second meeting of the season the Lake Raiders were looking to avenge a 6-1 loss at the hands of the Saints on November 1st.

Action started early with the Saints serving a dangerous driving minor, Brandy Edwards (unassisted) put the Saints up 1-0 with a shorthanded goal at 2:53. 31 seconds later the Lake Raiders's Jeremy Schofield (unassisted) drew even with a power play marker at 3:24. Then with the Saints being denied on an excellent chance, it was the Lake Raiders Jeremy Schofield (unassisted) who scored going stick side at 7:25, followed shortly by another at 11:57 taking a 3-1 lead into the second period.

The second frame saw the Lake Raiders build on their lead early on a Jeremy Schofield solo effort at 1:14. Not to be outdone the Saints Brandy Edwards (unassisted) deaked out the Lake Raiders defense bringing them within two at 4:04. both sides continued to exchange excellent chances, however it was the Lake Raiders Jeremy Schofield (unassisted) shot off the inside of the post, despite being short handed that  gave the Lake Raiders a healthy 5-2  lead into the third period.

The final period saw the Lake Raiders penalty killers working overtime, with a total of four minor penalties but somehow managed to add another even strength tally at 9:44, while giving up a power play goal at 11:22 to end the scoring and secure the 6-3 win.

Kings seek and get revenge.

December 6, 2014 – Kings vs. Mustangs (Boxscore)

The Kings took to the floor against the Mustangs on Saturday hoping to avenge their loss from the last time these two teams took the floor.

The Kings would open the scoring with a goal from David Donnelly.  With Mike Iacovone answering back from the Mustangs at the 2:05 minute mark, on a great pass from Nicole Neeson. The Kings would score 3 more goals with two from David Donnelly and a goal and two assists from Isaac for a 4 – 1 lead after the first period.

The Kings Isaac scored the lone goal at 12:29 in the second period, assisted by Sharmin Alam.

It was a scoreless third period. Brad Gordon put on an excellent effort in net for the Mustangs who just could not keep up with the mighty Kings.  Falling victim to them in a 5 – 1 loss.

Wolves use third period come back in win

Created by Neil

December 6, 2014 – Wolves vs. Bulldogs (Boxscore)

The Wolves comes back in the third to win 7 – 5 over the Bulldogs.

In the first period, the Wolves got off to an early start scoring two goals from Saverio Romano at 2:30 and 7:15 for a 2 – 0 lead. The Bulldogs would answer at 9:02 with Meghan Hines scoring a beauty of a goal deking out Wolves goalie Torrance Ho to cut the lead in half, assisted by Christine Pacheco.

In the second period, the Wolves would immediately regain their two-goal lead 40 seconds into the period on a sweet goal from Saverio Romano who made some nice moves around the Bulldogs players, assisted by Matt Vocino. However the Bulldogs would score 3 unanswered goals starting at 7:15 to take their first lead of the game 4 – 3. All three goals were scored by Jerry Mariano with assists from Christine Pacheco and Meghan Hines.

In the third period, the Wolves at 6:55 would tie the game at 4 – 4 on a goal from Saverio Romano assisted by Matt Vocino. With five minutes left in an exciting game, the Wolves would break the tie with Saverio Romano scoring three straight goals to lead 7 – 4. Jerry Mariano scored the lone goal for the Bulldogs assisted by Meghan Hines. But the Wolves would hang on for their fourth straight win with great defense in the final two minutes, especially from Matthew Costa.

Chair Yoga Poses Will be back in 2015!

I am heading out on a cruise for my 30th birthday, thank you all for following my chair yoga posts, see you again in 2015!

For today just try all poses out together, remember to breathe!

Happy Holidays!

Kings overwelm penalty plagued Lake Raiders

November 29, 2014 – Kings vs. Lake Raiders (Boxscore)

In this match up between the upgraded Kings and Lake Raiders, it was the Lake Raiders who drew first blood on a Jeremy Schofield solo effort with the Kings shorthanded at 3:37. 7:47 saw the Lake Raiders build on their lead off a Jeremy Schofield (unassisted) line drive for a 2-0 lead. the Kings responded at 9:17 on a David Donnelly (unassisted) goal closing out the first period.

In the second frame the Kings tied things up early on a Issaac Vescio (David Donnelly) goal at 3:37. the Kings added another on a Sharmin Alam (unassisted) goal at 5:24. With the Lake Raiders serving a crease violation minor, Jeremy Schofield deaked out the King's D and buried a shorthanded goal for a 3-3 tie at the end of thirty minutes of play.

Third period action started very early as the Lake Raider's Jeremy Schofield (unassisted) regained the lead at 0:15, then with the Lake Raiders once again shorthanded (the second of three times in the third period) the King's Issaac Vescio (Sharmin Alam, David Donnelly) scored on a mad flury in front of the Lake Raiders net pulling things even at 4-4. 10:14 saw the Lake Raiders capitalize on the power play with Jeremy Schofield (unassisted) scoring his fifth of the game. From then on the Kings dominated with three unanswered goals from Sharmin Alam (David Donnelly) at 11:06, Issaac Vescio (Sharmin Alam, David Donnelly) at 13:00 and a power play marker to seal the deal and the 7-5 win by David Donnelly (Sharmin Alam) at 14:53.

Wolves win wild game versus Mustangs

Created by Neil

November 29, 2014 – Wolves vs. Mustangs (Boxscore)

The Wolves win a high scoring game versus the Mustangs.

In the first period, the Mustangs had a great start having 3 two goal leads with Mike Iacovone scoring 2 goals and one assist, and Nicole Neeson scoring two as well. However Saverio Romano answered each time for the Wolves to trail 4 – 3 in the game.

In the second period, the Wolves took their game up a notch to outscore the Mustangs 4 – 1 for a 7 – 5 lead. Saverio Romano would score 3 more goals with one assist, Mitchell Stark added a goal, and Matt Vocino with an assist. Nicole Neeson scored the lone goal for the Mustangs.

In the third period, there was no quit in the Mustangs where they would score 2 goals in the first five minutes to tie the game at 7 – 7 with a goal and assist from Nicole Neeson, and a goal from Mike Iacovone. But once again the Wolves had an answer with the game-winning goal from Mitchell Stark assisted by Matt Vocino and Saverio Romano, who also added another goal in a crazy 9 – 7 game.

Saints edge Bulldogs in close game

Created by Neil

November 29, 2014 – Saints vs. Bulldogs (Boxscore)

Both teams were looking to rebound from tough losses.

In the first period, it was scoreless where both teams had tons of great chances but were unable to score. The Bulldogs goalie Mohit Sharma made a few incredible saves to keep the score at zero's.

In the second period, the Bulldogs nearly scored but was turned aside by Saints goalie Tracey Taylor. The Saints would end up breaking the tie at the nine minute mark scoring two goals 40 seconds apart to lead 2 – 0. The goals were scored by Brandy Edwards and Braden Martz.

In the third period, the Bulldogs were looking to score to get back into the game and they would get just that five minutes in, scored by Jerry Mariano assisted by Christine Pacheco. The goal would give them life where they pressured the Saints and nearly tied the game, but the Saints weathered the storm and added a late goal from Brandy Edwards to win 3 – 1.

Lake Raiders stand tall against Mustangs

November 22, 2014 – Lake Raiders vs. Mustangs (Boxscore)

In this match up between the Mustangs and Lake Raiders it was a tight game with neither team capitalizing in the first.

It wasn't until 7:05 of the second, when Mustangs sniper Mike Iacovone (Nicole Neeson) went top shelf for a 1-0 Mustangs lead. 10:26 saw the Lake Raiders even things up on a Jeremy Schofield (unassisted) power play goal taking a 1-1 tie into the third period. 

The third frame saw the Lake Raiders take control with two quick unassisted Jeremy Schofield markers at 2:15 and 2:50 for a 3-1 lead. The Lake Raiders Jeremy Schofield continued to add to the lead with another at 6:25. at 10:17 the Lake Raiders began running into penalty troubles with a checking from behind minor, however despite being a man short Jeremy Schofield (Elyas Abdullah, Steven Davis) potted a short handed goal at 8:37 for the 5-1 win.