by Larry and Andre Leblanc
NOSSA Nordic Skiing
Congratulations to the Manitoulin Secondary Nordic Ski team on competing at this year’s Northern Ontario cross country ski championships in Naughton last week. Hats off to Beth Wiwchar who finished 11th, Marjorie Scott was 14th, James Scott 11th, Bryce Mastelko 15th and Coach David Wiwchar. As of press time it had not been announced if any of the results would advance any of the team to OFSAA on February 27 in Timmins.
Wolves winning in the Sault
The Manitowaning Atom Wolves are a perfect three and 0 as of press time and were headed into the semis on Sunday morning at a tournament in Sault Ste. Marie. The team has been having a remarkable year and they seem to be continuing their winning ways off the Island. Their third win was a dominant 5 – 0 team victory and shut-out for netminder Jacob Smith. Congratulations as well to players: Xavier Mara, William McComb, Brodie Pennie, Ava Assinewai, Brooke Gibeault, Alex Peltier, Kordell Elijah, Andrew Cooper, Ava Fields, Zoey Trudeau, Grace Pitawanakwat, Ryley Wassegijig-Migwans and Emily Roque. The team of course includes their fabulous staff behind the bench and behind the scenes: Jeff Pitawanakwat, Bill McComb, Ron Cooper, Teina Pitawanakwat, Brent Assinewai, Janet McComb and Dawn Roque.
Lakeview takes Biidaaban trophy
On Wednesday, February 15 the Lakeview School Hockey Team attended the 28th annual Biidaaban Classic Elementary School Invitational hockey tournament in Massey last week. The team was perfect on the day with a stellar, 3 and 0 record, as they went on to capture the A Championship title. Congratulations to players: Harmony Kaiser-Fox, Kaleb Genereux, Noah Hare, Johnny Bushey, Tyran Armstrong, Nyron Panamick, Hudson Hare, Dylan Corbiere, Gabe Hare, Cameron Johns, Kacey Debassige, Damion Debassige, Kal Debassige and Richard McLean-Corbiere. Hats off as well to their staff of Coach Travis Corbiere, Assistant Coaches Martin Debassige and John Roy as well as Manager Lorraine Corbiere-Debassige. Honourable mention goes to Damion Debassige who was selected as one of the top defensemen for the tournament along with Noah Hare as one of the top forwards for the event. Way to go team!
Mustangs take lead in semis
The M.S.S. Mustang boys’ hockey team opened their semi-final B Division playoff series with a dramatic, 8 to 1 thrashing of the Lo-Ellen Knights last week. The team was leading, 5 to zip after the first period and 8 to nothing after two. Hitting the scoresheet was Alex Smith with 4 goals, Kyle Debassige 2 goals and an assist, Cole King 2 assists, Zackery Kategiannis had a goal and an assist, Parker Dickinson had two helpers, Greg Doane and Connor Bellmore each had an assist and Tyler Argue potted a goal. The guys will have played their second game, yesterday at their home rink at the NEMI Recreation Centre and game three is slated for today at 5 pm in Little Current.
The girls’ team is on the road today and will be playing St. Benedicts at 3:15 pm at the Countryside Arena in Sudbury for their B Division opening game. Good luck to both teams!
Special reunion
Greg Lockeyer, a long-time coach with Manitoulin Special Olympics, had a great time reuniting with two film-makers for TSN after 24 years. Isabel and Brad Diamond, of Bradford Productions, were recently on the Island to film Special Olympians Kelsey Mellan and Matthew Bedard as they prepare for their trip to Austria for the 2017 World Winter Games in just over two weeks. Brad was here in 1993 filming Special Olympians Sharon Honess and Bernard Wassegijik before they went to Austria as part of Team Canada. Good luck in your training Kelsey and Matthew and of course to Coach Judy Olacke!
A good sport is good for sports.
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