Manitoulin shines in three on three
The last number of years Manitoulin teams have done exceedingly well at the Sault Ste. Marie 3 on 3 tournament. This past weekend was no exception.
The Manitoulin Snipers playing in the Peewee Thunderbird division picked up a silver after a super round-robin where they tied Elliot Lake 4-4; defeated the Fromar Flyers 7 to nothing and the Puck Hawks 6-3. Their only loss was to another Island squad the E-lemon-ators. The Snipers on an Aysia Debassige winning goal took their semi-final game against Elliot Lake. Other members of the team include: Jenna Taylor, Cord Hughson, Dennis Gulyas Trent Bell, Jesse Burella, Jared Cortez, Todd Gordon and Gabe Hare. Their bench staff included Jason Hughson, S-Hare, Mason Graham and Becky Gordon.
The Manitoulin E-lemon-ators took the division with a victory over the Snipers the E-lemon-ators were perfect for the tourney defeating all their opponents to take the gold championship. The team consisted of Damien Debassige, Bailey Middaugh, Delaney Bridgeman, Liam Bridgeman, Eli LaCosse, Carter LaCosse, Reilly Lockeyer, Macy Setterington and Hudson Hare. Coaching staff included: E-lemon-ators and Michael Bridgeman. Congrats to both teams!
Meanwhile the Wikwemikong Ladies team put up an unsurmountable record of 4 – 0 in the round-robin and picked up the silver medal in the championship game. The scant 7-member squad included: Shelly Ann Trudeau, Ruby Trudeau, Erin Morrison, Jeanette, Bondy, and Joanne Thiessen. Mona Jones, Hiawatha Osawamick, Carlee Lewis and Goaltender Deanna Trudeau.
In the Midget, Greyhound division, the Manitoulin Young Guns charged their way to the Gold in the championship game. The Guns had an impressive run in the round-robin and then won their semifinal match and graciously settled for the silver medal. Congratulations to: Braeden Case, Ben Haner, Carter Noble, Hunter Chiblow, C.J. Brock, Case Kanasawe, Kane Mortimer, Branden Souci, Thomas Hayden and Caleb Serre.
After a bit of a slow start on Friday at this year’s tourney, Manitoulin’s Shoot to Score sponsored 2008 Northstar division squad got their legs going Saturday and won the last 2 games of round robin play. This put them in 3rd, facing the KBX Octane team in the semi-final that they had tied in Game 2. True to form, the semi was 4 – 4 at the end of regulation, with each team awarded 2 penalty shots. S2S went first, and both Eric Thibeault and Jack Carter scored, high glove-side. On KBX’s first shot, S2S’s goalie Sadie Bridgeman stood tall and forced the shooter to try and go over her, which he did! S2S were on to the final against an undefeated Soo NAPA squad.
From the drop of the puck in that final it was apparent the NAPA team was a well-rested, cohesive unit. S2S were under immediate and relentless pressure! The local S2S team found themselves down by 3 after two and a half minutes. Refusing to give up, playing most of the first period pinned in their own end, your S2S team tirelessly checked and broke up plays on net, with goalie Sadie stopping most every shot that got through.
In the final period, playing their best hockey of the tournament but the Soo squad was undaunted though, their attacks on goal coming in unceasing waves, and it ended in a 5 – 2 loss. Congrats on a great tournament and an outstanding display of character, sportsmanship and grit in the final to goaltender Sadie Bridgeman, defense Greyson Brewer and ‘Zee’ Toulouse, forwards Eric Thibeault, Jack Carter, Jackson Noble and Jack Bridgeman.
Mustang Gymnastics recap!
The gymnastics season is a long one they begin in November and continue until OFSAA, which is usually at the end of April, so those girls have been committed to practices for the past 6 months. Four of these girls have been competing Aerobic Gymnastics together for three years now and they placed 4th at OFSAA in Peterborough in 2014, 3rd at OFSAA in Sudbury last year, and now gold this year in Windsor, defeating traditional champions (and rivals) Centennial from COSSA and Toronto French School from CISAA. They are now the team to beat!
They’re looking forward to competing again next year as the same four girls (Eden, Jill, Yohana and Roxy) are just in Grade 12 and looking to finish their high school careers as repeat OFSAA champions.
They, along with Alyssa and Donnshai, worked extremely hard over the past few weeks to tweak, review, improve and augment the routine that eventually won. The coaches are extremely proud of how the girls handled themselves under pressure, rose to the occasion, and represented our island magnificently. Absolutely amazing team: keep up the hard work!
Iced impressive
In other on-ice actions in the Thunder Bay area. Two local boys skated for the Couchiching Thunderhawks in the Goodwill Tournament. Carson Shawana and Sam Assinewai lead the way for their adopted team in an 11-team PeeWee division. The pair topped the Oji-Cree Team in the semi-final with a 5-2 score and then dispatching the Port Arthur Giants in the championship game. Hats off to these two lads who have played a ton of games this year, matching many junior players!
And the top, teen, team athletic achievement of the week award goes to…
The CMPS Outdoors club! Although who, because they were honestly, humbly, surprised by this stated accolade may not still realise their accomplishment. However, I would challenge any other, grade eight, Manitoulin team who can claim three days of (1200+ steps with at least 23 percent of their body weight on their back, 2+ days of 24-7 putting up with teachers, 2+ days of putting up with some of their classmates, two days of lodging, in supreme, close proximity with multiple classmates, not to mention, accepting the food stylings of those who stepped up to provide the sustenance needed bring their team through this ordeal. Okay…and many other unimaginable, uncomfortable, early–teen experiences!
That being said I have to tip my hat to: Holly “I refuse to throw anyone under the bus” Sagle, Rachel “What? I do not accept the Paparazzi on this trip!” Sheppard, Morgan “I don’t mind carrying the garbage if nobody else wants to carry it” Wall-Varey, Marjorie “Haha, my brother had to carry the garbage bag on BOTH days?!” Scott, Jasen “Best imitation of a crow after midnight prize” Millette, Avery “Mother Bear” Sheppard, Taylor “Under the Radar” Smith, Alex “Under Taylor’s radar” Dawson, Corbin “so what are you teachers eating?” Addison and Teigan “Lack-a-deuce-icle” Seabrook. All truthiness aside the real deal is that this trip could not have happened without volunteers: Missy “I can’t believe you just said that” McCullough and Al “I can’t believe you just said that, again” Haner.
