Canadian S.O. medal haul!
Hats off to the coaches and players of the Manitoulin Special Olympics team who attended the Special Olympics Canada Games in Calgary over the weekend. Matt Bedard has trained very hard in snowshoeing under coach Joanne Mellan. Matt put his kilometres of practice into three bronze medals for his 5km, 1600m and 800m efforts!
The curling team, coached by Janet Anning and Ellen Holroyd, had an amazing spiel, coming out on top with the gold medal! Congratulations to Dayne Tipper, Austin Recollet, Tyler Madahbee, Dylan Danville and William Leclair!
The team will be feted at a celebration for these amazing MSO athletes and coaches this Thursday, March 7 at the Freshwater Community Church (formerly Mindemoya Missionary) at 7 pm!
WHS at NOSSA!
Congratulations to the Wiikwemkoong High School Senior boys’ basketball team who played for the “B” division title in Mattawa. Coach John Capin was pleased with the effort of his charges despite losing out in the semi-finals. Jordan Ominika-Cooper, Jaden Manitowabi, Nicho Simmons, Drake Oshkabewisens- Recollet, Carmine Wemigwans, Isaiah Oshkabewisens- Recollet, Javier Salas-Cooper, Conner Hill, Seth Bennett, James Noakwegijig, Joe Shigwadja, Liam Peltier, Tyrell Shawana and Mgizi Mishibinijima.
Panther Points
Well, it was a crazy busy weekend for the Lady Panther squad! The weekend kicked off on Thursday in Verner as they continued their regional playdown series with the North Bay Jr. Lakers. After a thrilling 2-2 tie in the first game, they were sure that game two would be just as exciting and it absolutely was.
Both teams came out flying with the Lady Panthers having some great chances early in the game but it was North Bay who would open the scoring in the first period. Down 1-0 they went into a penalty kill and thanks to an amazing effort by the Panthers, saw them tie the game with a shorthanded goal by No. 9 Ali Laginski who buried it past the NB goalie from the high slot. Assists on this goal midway through the second period went to No. 7 Ava Corbiere and No. 21 Zaagaasge Toulouse.
The Panthers kept up the pressure and the next goal was again a special team effort, this time on the power play as Zaagaasge “Zee” took the pass from her defensive partner Kara Peltier and went the length of the ice and beat the Laker goalie with a shot to the glove side, giving the Lady Panthers their first lead of the series. This goal came at 1:11 of the second and our players could feel that momentum building as they continued to show that they all have the will to win.
The very strong effort by all continued into the 3rd and it was No. 57 Abbie Heins who gave the Panthers that extra insurance with a seeing eye shot that went in just inside the post. The assist on this goal went to Zee Toulouse at 7:42 of the frame. That was all the squad would need as they protected this 3-1 lead, perfectly shutting down the Lakers for the remainder of the game that ended 3-1. Ciera Sokoloski earned the win between pipes, making some great saves to keep the game tied and giving the offense the chance they needed to secure the win.
With the win, our Lady Panthers only need one more point to earn the right to represent our region at Provincials in April. The 3rd and final game of the series will go in Espanola on Tuesday (sorry, yesterday) March 5. The season series with the Lakers is now all evened up so game 3 should be fantastic!
On Friday they made the trip up Highway 11 to Hearst for their final ‘super-weekend’ of the season in the Northern Ontario women’s loop. Coach Scot Hughson relayed, “We played some great teams from all over the North and our girls showed that they have come a long way in their inaugural season. We as a staff are very proud to see the way these fantastic hockey players have developed this year. They are a great bunch and no matter where life takes them, their futures are bright.”
“We would like to give a special shout out to the Hearst Ice Cats association for showing us a fantastic weekend. The venue was awesome, the officiating was fantastic and it was great to catch up with parents and coaches who we have had a great relationship with for years. Thank you, Hearst!”
Tying the Knot!
Thankfully, the weather cooperated perfectly for Brian and Carly Stapleton’s wedding fundraiser where sunburn would be the worst hazard! The catch and video release derby was enjoyed by a huge number of hopefuls. In the Advanced division, the category winners were: pike, 38.5” Robert James; lake trout, 28.75” Cole Anderson; and a 15” perch by Paul Dawson!
In the so-called Novice division, it was Rebecca Wright with her pike of 35.75” that took the adult prize lot while Grace Williams took the youth prize lot with her pike of 38.5” that matched the Advanced group! Sheryl Jantzi dipped into the adult prize lot with her 22” lake trout as did Halie Gauthier with her 12.8” yellow perch. Finally, veteran fisher Emma Becks caught a 12” perch for the youth prize lot.
Brian and Carly extend thanks to “everyone who supported our wedding fundraiser, we are so appreciative! Congratulations to our derby winners. Your prizes can be picked up at our residence in Mindemoya!”
