Panther Points
The Manitoulin Panthers organization hosted the NOHA U15 B division Tournament of Champions this past weekend. The host team got off to a quick start Friday morning, downing the North Bay Trappers 4-1. Next up was a hard fought, penalty-filled tilt against the Powassan Hawks, which ended with the Panthers coming back to tie it on a 2-2 marker by Cooper Farquhar. Saturday morning saw another 2-2 result as the Panthers battled the tough Temiskaming Shores Puckhounds, while Saturday night, their position in playdowns secured and playing loose, fast hockey, the Panthers downed the Iroquois Falls side 8–2!
That left the Panthers in the Sunday morning semis against the Puckhounds, and the fans were in for a treat. The Hounds came out flying and were up by 2 after the first period. The second stayed scoreless and the clock was winding down on the Panthers in the third when, still down 2, Max McLeod ripped a shot in to make it 2-1 with under 5 minutes remaining. Anders Watson tipped a point shot in at 1:55 to tie it up and the teams played out regulation in an end-to-end battle. In overtime, the teams were again trading rush after rush when Memphis Shawanda gathered a rebound in his end, and, spotting Anders open near centre, hit him with a perfect stretch pass up the middle. Sent in alone, Anders made no mistake, roofed a wrister, elating the packed house home crowd, and the Panthers side was off to the finals against North Bay with a 3-2 win.
In Sunday’s afternoon final, North Bay drew first blood and were up 1-0 at the end of the first. Things were looking bleak as the second wound down, but Anders notched the tying goal with just 3 seconds left. So, the season, and the championship, was down to the last 15 minutes to decide it. In the third, Anders got his second five minutes in, then completed his natural hatty with two minutes left. Now down 3-1, a desperate North Bay side pulled their goalie, and Cooper Farquhar put the game out of doubt with an empty netter, and your Manitoulin Panthers were 4-1 winners and the U15 B NOHA Champions.
Congratulations, Panthers team, goalies Declan McGonegal and Liam Stephens, players Charmaine Webkamigad, Brayden Armstrong, Ryan Carter, Roen Deschenes, Spencer Cortes, Lincoln Rancourt, Memphis Shawanda, Cohen Rajotte, Bryden Romaniuk, Chase Taylor, Colten Martin, Alex Bourcier, Colten Holmes, Max McLeod, Cooper Farquhar and Anders Watson. Congrats as well to Head Coach Scott Stephens, Manager Ashley Taylor, Trainers Roxanne Romaniuk and Curt Watson, Assistant Coaches Nelson Deschenes and Reid Taylor. Additionally, a huge shout-out to the rock solid team of Panther volunteers who did the town and the Island proud by running a flawless championship weekend.
Island lad wraps season with hardware!
Mindemoya’s Jack Bridgeman and his U15 AA Nickel City Son teammates were off to Powassan for the NOHA U 15 AA Tournament of Champions this past weekend. Jack opened the game and his tournament with a natural hat trick, then set up goal #4 as the Sons, backstopped brilliantly by Jacob Beaudet, skated to a 5-0 win against the Hearst Kapuskasing Regional Express. Next up for the Sons were the host North Bay Trappers, quickly dispatched 3–0 behind another stellar performance between the pipes, this time from goalie Nico Guenette. Meanwhile, rival Copper Cliff Reds had strung together 3 wins, so when the Sons faced the Reds Saturday afternoon, it was a battle for 1st in round robin and a more favourable seeding going into Sunday’s semis. The Sons came out flying, Jacob stood tall again in net and the end of the game saw the Sons standing in 1st with a decisive 4–0 win. With the 1st through 4th seeding set, the Sons’ last game Saturday night meant nothing, and they played like it, saving their energies for Sunday while losing 3–1 to the Soo. Jack though, finished at the top of the round robin scoring table with 5 goals and 3 assists in 4 games.
Sunday’s semi was against the HKRE side again, and the Sons burst out of the gate early, going up 3–0 in the first before taking a 4–0 lead. The Express fought back in the third period, notching 2 quick markers before Jack took the wind from their rally sails with his first of the game to add on to his 3 assists, and the Sons were off to the final. The Soo had beaten the Reds in the other semi, so a rematch of the Saturday night game was on, this time with the title on the line. The Soo potted a quick seeing eye marker, and then another puck pinballed its way in, and the Sons were down 2-0 early. Forced into a more defensive posture, the Sons struggled to find their game, and an aggressive Soo penalty kill nullified the explosive Sons’ power play. Turned out it just wasn’t in the cards for the Sudbury team, and the game would finish 2-0 for the Soo. Jack claimed the tournament scoring title with 12 points in 6 games, but individual accolades are little solace in team sport. Congrats to Jack and the Sons on their silver medal and a wildly successful season.
Bradley McAllister Memorial Tournament
The annual memorial to Bradley McAllister hockey tournament was again a success, attracting a full slate of 12 teams. Winning the Women’s division was the Providence Bay Beaches who were undefeated with the impressive roster including: Alayna Cranston, Brooke Addison, Randi Lovelace, Whittier Gauthier, Kyla Vaillancourt, Harmony Kaiser-Fox, Abbie Heins, Hailey Prior, Jacey Varey, Janelle Manitowabi. One key player who was missing was Maddy Niven who had a prior commitment as the coach of the U18 Manitowaning Wolves at the Valley East Tournament where they won as the ‘B’ Island Champs as they were the only team to beat Gore Bay, who won it all! Maddy was so dedicated, she rushed back from Sudbury in time to see her team win and even get in the trophy picture!
Winning the Sportsmen “A” division was Team King, who are always competitive. The team includes a father and sons trio of John Ainslie, Tyler King and Cole King as well as Mitchal Payette and Stuart Pearson.
Inaugural tourney a hit!
Congratulations to Ralph Gonawabi who hosted his first ever tournament in Wiikwemkoong over the weekend. It was a co-ed, 3-on-3 format for youth and attracted over 35 players! Many thanks to the six volunteer coaches who helped out: Shane Manitowabi, Bryan McGregor, Meeshan Maiangowi, Lyle Peltier, Ruby Trudeau and John Goodfellow.
Players were selected by a draft style, making all four teams as equal as possible, resulting in games close and entertaining. Ralph secured sponsors for the ice time, refs, timekeeper, food, trophies and medals. Thanks to Prevention Services, Chase The Ace, Rainbow Ridge Golf Course, R.H.L. and Jen Recollect Catering. Team 4 ended up winning the championship. Their roster featured: Lennox Trudeau, Colin Goodfellow, Carlyn Simon, Peyton Kaboni, Seth Bennett, River Sagan, Mikita Wemigwans, coaches John Goodfellow and Ruby Trudeau. Ralph extends a chi-miigwetch to everyone involved and hopes to see you next year. Of course, thanks to Ralph for providing a great event for local youth!
