M’CHIGEENG—Despite not winning a tournament held in London earlier this month, the Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) Mustangs girls’ hockey team played very well, says its coach. Meanwhile, the MSS boys’ team dropped its first decision of the regular season last Friday evening in Little Current.
“The team played in a tournament held in London,” said Mike Meeker, coach of the Mustangs girls’ team. “Our team played really well against tough teams from southern Ontario.”
The Mustangs won their first game of the tournament, “5-0, in what was our best game of the year,” said Mr. Meeker. “We had five different players score in the game, and it is nice that the scoring was spread around.”
Mr. Meeker said the Mustangs played the two top teams in the tournament in its next two games, dropping one by a 5-0 score and the second by a 7-3 count. In the game they dropped 5-0 to St. Joseph’s, “the girls played really well. We lost 5-0 but we had a couple of breakaways and some really good scoring chances but couldn’t score. We were playing against a very good triple A team, but I thought we matched them for the most part in the game.”
“We finished third in our division, and our consolation game was fantastic,” continued Mr. Meeker. “It was tied 2-2 after three periods. There is no overtime, it goes to a shootout.” MSS dropped the game in the second round of the shootout.
“I was really happy with the way our whole team played in the tournament,” said Mr. Meeker. “Sophie Bondi, who is in Grade 9, is our goalie and she played great. She is tough mentally, and although I’m sure she was nervous, especially in the shootout, she didn’t show it.”
“But the big thing is that the team had a lot of fun,” said Mr. Meeker. “I’m happy how we played in our games, and played really high quality teams, didn’t get discouraged at all. We proved we can play with any team.”
Along with the London tournament, the Mustangs dropped their first game of the regular season against Loellen 6-3 earlier this month. “We outplayed them badly for one and a half periods, we had a lot of chances but couldn’t score. And then they (Loellen) scored two quick qoals to gain momentum.”
MSS also tied another game, against Lively, 4-4. And on Tuesday, the Mustangs got back in the winning ways, beating Loellen by a 4-0 score.
The MSS boys’ team dropped their first game in the regular season 3-1 last Friday against Lockerby Vikings in a game played in Little Current.
The Mustangs were to return to action this past Wednesday in a game against St. Charles in Little Current.
