MANITOULIN––The Manitoulin Panthers pee wee team is the 2013-2014 Nickel District Northern Ontario Hockey Association (NOHA) C champions and Nickel District Minor Hockey League 3 champions.
After finishing first overall in the league standings in the regular season with a record of 21 wins, three losses and four ties, the Panthers took part in the league playoffs this weekend.
After opening up the playoffs with a 4-2 win over the Nickel Centre (NC) Storm (in Azilda), the Panthers shut-out the NC Hitmen 4-0 (at Countryside Arena), with both games being played on Friday, March 21.
Manitoulin then played against Blind River with the Panthers prevailing by a 4-1 score.
On Sunday morning, March 23, at the Countryside arena in Sudbury, the Panthers tied Elliot Lake 2-2.
With a record of three wins and one tie, the Panthers qualified for finals to face Elliot Lake again, in a game played Sunday afternoon at the Azilda Arena. The Panthers won in a shutout 5-0.
The Panthers player roster includes Carter Abotossaway, Lukas Abotossaway, Trenton Bailey, Connor Bellmore, Jacob Clark, Parker Hall, goalie Alex Ingram, Jayden Little, Noah Manitowabi, Ben Marshall, Kolby McGregor, Zachary Richer, Regan St. Amour, Boston Thibault and Eric Varey. Craig Abotossaway is the team coach, with assistant coaches Brad Bailey, Rob Marshall and Jason Abotossaway, with Natasha Abotossaway as the team manager.