Nickel City Island Sons!
When we last visited with Carson Shawana and Liam Bridgeman’s Nickel City AAA Major Bantams three weeks ago, they had travelled to North Bay to steal the first two games and build a two game lead in their best of five series against the North Bay Trappers. On the weekend that followed, the Trappers returned the favour. Coming to Sudbury and narrowly avoiding the sweep on the Saturday with a 2-1 O.T. win, the Trappers dominated the Sons in Levack on Sunday with a decisive 5 – 1 drubbing. Set at two games apiece, the series deciding game five went the Wednesday before March Break in Powassan. During a tense, hard fought battle a tenacious N.C.S. shook off the desperately pressing N.B.T. team to take the series decider in a 2—1 nail-biter.
So it was off to the Soo for the Sons on the weekend prior to March Break, to face the hometown first place Greyhounds in the NOHA finals with a birth in the OHF Provincial Championships on the line. The Sons came out and again surprised their opponent with a 2 – 1 victory in game one. Game two was decided by a Greyhound power play marker in the dying seconds of a heart-breaking six-minute minor in the third, the 1 – 0 win knotting the series at a game apiece. Then things got interesting. The Sons had six players who had booked vacations during the school break. With injuries, that left NCS down to eight skaters and their back-up goalie if the schedule were to go as planned this past weekend. N.C.S. staff approached the Soo brain trust with a suggested work around, offering to play next weekend, in Sudbury or the Sault, with the Sudbury squad footing the bill for ice and officials for games three, four and even game five if necessary. The Sault team dug in, insisting that the schedule be played as planned, fully aware of what that meant for the Sons. After days of discussion between both teams, N.O.H.A. and the O.H.F., the Sault got their way. So on Saturday night in Sudbury, with only eight members of their AAA team playing, the Sons were overwhelmed by the relentless onslaught of a fully manned opponent and fell 10 – 3. On Sunday in game four with one of the vacationing players back, the N.C.S. boys put up a good fight, holding it scoreless after one, and down 2 – 0 after two. In the third they eventually wore down, losing the series in heartbreaking fashion, 5 – 0.
Z!
Zaagaasge “Z” Toulouse, the M’Chigeeng hockey wonder has the amazing chance to play hockey in Europe. Before Christmas, Zaagaasge tried out for a 2007 Girls Spring Team and was offered a position January 2019. Several weeks later she was contacted and offered a position on the 2006 Pro Development team which is slated to play in the World Selects Invitational Tournament in Milan, Italy and Chamonix, France in April 2019. The coach of the Pro Development team said “Zaagaasge is like Jordin Tootoo, talent coming from basically nowhere” … “she stood out amongst the fifty plus girls during tryouts.”
Zaagaasge is coming to the team quite late and did not have the opportunity to participate in the payment schedule. Basically her supporters need to raise $5,600 by April 1. They already have over $4,000 which will pay for flights, uniform and a portion of her land fees. The $5,600 will cover the remaining portion of her land fees which include hotel, meals, tours, transportation and tournament fees.
Zaagaasge’s ultimate dream is to be the first 16-year-old Ojibway girl to play for Team Canada in the Olympics. Let us help her get to the World Selects Invitation in Europe this April. If you can help, visit gofundme.com and search for Clara Corbiere’s proposal.
Little N.H.L. highlights!
The annual LNHL phenomena always produces amazing stories of sportsmanship, kinship, family, competition and all kinds of other unexpected benefits. Over the last week, many people have shared some of these awesome experiences.
One memory was from the infamous Don Cherry who recognized this amazing grassroots organization. How about Panther icon Lawrence Enosse who managed a picture with equal hockey celebrity, Don MacLean who may or may not have given the slightly younger Enosse a minor penalty in his Junior days!
How about Shelley Ann Trudeau and the NWHL’s Kelly Babstock who co-coached of the Bantam Girls at the LNHL? Shelley actually coached Kelly as a child, and now plays pro hockey! Shelley appreciated that Kelly wants to give back loved her knowledge and experience she shared!
Rookie of the Year receives new recognition
Mark Aljoe (son of former Panther star Trace Aljoe), now a P.J.H.L. (Provincial Junior Hockey League) rookie of the year was now just named, one of ten to be chosen for OJHL’s Aurora Tigers main camp! Way to go, Mark.
A good sport is good for sports
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