Panther Points!
It is great to see the Panther organization continue the tradition of a surging into the second (important) half of the season. With Manitoulin rinks a mite later on making ice, Island kids are often weeks later in getting on their skates.
The youngest cats won their three league games over the weekend. They shut out the Nickel City Devils 4 – 0 in on the road in Sudbury. On Sunday the Panthers hosted Copper Cliff for a double-header at the NEMI Rec Centre. The Novice continued their play from Saturday by rolling over C.C. by scores of 12 – 0 and 8 – 2. The 3 wins moved the Panthers from 5th to 3rd in the seven-team, league with only two Major AA teams in front of them. The players played exceptional full-team games. The Panthers defense exhibited solid play as they cleared the zone consistently well. All players moved the puck very well with the passing being top-notch for this age group. The usual scorers did their consistently good job and two players in particular showed that hard practicing pays off as Andrew Tabichak (who got his first 2 goals of the year) and Gage Hughson demonstrated the ability to go to the net to make things happen. Jake Smith was the goalie of record in each game. Congratulations on the improvement guys.
Meanwhile, the Atom Panthers sported a two-win weekend! They doubled upon the Sudbury Minor AA Wolves 6 – 3 and then downed the third place Blind River Thunder for the first time this year! Drake Jacko racked up three assists, while Owen Leblanc and Jared Toope each picked up 2 goals. Brodie Pennie and Tryce Francis also sunk a goal each meanwhile Joseph Shigwadja and David Gibbons added a helper each. The Atoms also demonstrated a lot of character in the Blind River game as the Panthers came back from a 2 – 1 deficit to win 3 – 2.
Panther Alumni announcements
Congratulations to several past Panthers and the recent additions to their families. Scott Madahbee, who was on the Nickel District midget champion Panther squads from 1987 through to 1989 is now the proud grandfather of two grandkids over the holidays. Peter Eshkawkogan, who joined Scott on the 1987-88 NDHL Midget championship squad, also became a grandfather. As well, Panther forward Brandon Pheasant (2009-11) became a dad for the first time.
Pearson Brothers Memorial Tournament
Providence Bay was once again the venue the annual Pearson Brother’s tourney. The weekend was another success with great hockey and money raised for a great cause. In the 4 on 4 Sportsmen division the Super Chiefs lost their first two games and had to take the long road around the schedule to make it back into the championship game. Roster not available.
In the 35ers A division the Wiky Reds schooled all of the teams with amazing playmaking and the ability to pull many of their opponents out of position. Hats off to: Mark Peltier, Chuck Peltier, Jamie Peltier, Linny Peltier, Jason Peltier, Darrel Assiniwe, Tim Ominika, Clifton Wassengeso, Bruce Recollet, Rob Sutherland and Daniel “Sonny” Wassengeso.
In the Sportsmen B division, Team Pearson played a crazy number of games in a short period of time but held on to take the trophy. Congratulations to: Stuart Pearson, Bryce St. Pierre, Carter Dunlop, Brian Stapleton, Cody Mackenzie, Brett Ham, John Ainslie, Brandon Pheasant and Zach Rolston.
In the highly coveted, 35ers B division finals the Providence Bay-based Refills made good use of their rare wins to scoop up the bragging rights over the Gore Bay Fossils. The Refills came from behind an early two–nothing deficit to go up a goal, late in the third period. With the Fossil net empty, the Refills were in full scramble mode but managed to hold on thanks to plays like defenseman Darren Dewar diving to absorb a hard shot from the point. However, with netminder Royce Young making one spectacular play after the next it let everyone else able to make less-skilled maneuvers. Finally, Roger Morrell banked his clearing attempt off the centre ice boards to score the insurance marker and seal the historic win at 6 – 4. Darren Dewar, Larry Karn, Roger Morrell, Jason Buie, Keith McAllister, Dave Cranston, Royce Young, John Coker, Andre “retraction” Leblanc, Ryan Prior and Dale Wallace.
A good sport is good for sports.
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