NSSSA Curling hosted on Manitoulin
Manitoulin Secondary School is hosting the North Shore Secondary School Association’s curling playdowns this coming Wednesday and Thursday in Providence Bay and Mindemoya. MSS has both a girls’ and boys’ team participating. The girls are playing in Providence Bay while the boys compete in the Mindemoya Curling club. Spectators are welcome, so try to get out to support the girls’ team featuring: Rebecca Dawson, Morgan Hall, Emily Tardif, Jary White and coach Dawn Dawson. The boys’ team includes: Bryce Mastelko, Jordan Moore, Sean Patterson, Alex Ingram, Isaac Gosse and their coach is Angela Johnston.
Local curler makes it to step before Canadian Brier!
Manitoulin native Jordan Chandler and his team including Sandy MacEwan (former Island teacher), Lee Toner and Matt Dumontelle has been nipping at the heels of the best curlers in the province for a few years now and just this past weekend his rink were once again on the cusp of hitting that next level. In the Northern Ontario playdowns, hosted by the Granite Club in North Bay, Chandler, representing the Sudbury Curling Club, finished in second in the contest with a 5 -2 record. Their impressive record brought them to the championship match against Olympic gold medal winning rink of Brad Jacobs (6-1) representing the Sault. Jacobs is the silver medal winner of last year’s Tim Horton’s Brier and played defensively to shut out Jordan in a low scoring, 5 – 0, tally.
Congratulations on another great season, Jordan—next year! BTW: Many will remember Brad Jacobs’ trip to Manitoulin with his gold medal as part of the OPP Torch run where he generously met with many people. Over a long day of talking and enduring endless, selfies he no doubt, attracted many youngsters to the sport.
Local players win huge hockey prize
The “younger” set of the Wikwemikong T-Birds walked off with the $10,000 first place, championship prize at the annual James Bay Memorial Recreation A Division this past weekend. The T-Birds have long been a powerful force in Northern Ontario hockey circles and the next generation is no different. With a Midget-aged goalie, Evan Peltier, the Birds rambled through the opposition in the far North to score the trophy and the amazing, monetary prize. Other members of the team were: Kieran Peltier, Jesse Peltier, Quinton Recollet, Cheyenne King, Clint Fox, Branden Pheasant, Blair Morrison, Zane Pitawanakwat, Dillon Peltier, as well as Dustin H., Brandon C. and Mark Jr. Great job, gentlemen!
Panther Point!
The Manitoulin Panther Atoms had a busy and successful weekend as they picked up four of six points. On Saturday they were at home and then on the road for a game in the Big Smoke. On Saturday morning the AA Minor Wolves ran into a dominant Panther side and were put down by a 5 – 1 score thanks to a strong defensive-team game. On the offensive side were: Drake Jacko 3, Owen Leblanc 2, Joseph Shigwadja 2, Brodie Pennie 2, David Gibbons 2, Tryce Francis 1 and Jared Toope also with a single point.
With no time to rest on their laurels the team was on the road to Copper Cliff where the Panther offensive side struck to fill-in the Redmen 8 -6. Points were awarded to Owen with 4, Kordell Elijah 2, and Ava Assinewai (who not only scored two goals but they included a power-play and game winning goal!), Brandon Visitor had an assist while Brodie Pennie and Jared Toope added single goals.
The Panthers then hosted the powerful Blind River who solidified their second place position with a 7 – 2 victory over the home squad. The team will try to expand on their solid weekend during the upcoming Soo Extravaganza Tournament over the 19 – 21st weekend. Good luck, Panthers!
Mustang Minute
The MSS Mustangs evened their playoff semi-finals with the St. Charles College Cardinals Friday night before a large crowd at the NEMI Recreation Complex. The ‘Stangs scored 3 third period goals to come from behind and salt away a 4-2 victory. In the first game earlier in the week MSS had dropped an 8-2 contest to the Cards in Sudbury. Thusly, the final and deciding game goes (sorry will have gone) Tuesday in Sudbury. Good luck Mustangs!
The Mustang girls’ squad nearly eked out an overall league win, but were narrowly edged into a second-place finish by Bishop Carter in Division II by just a single point. The girls will have played their first playoff match yesterday (Tuesday at 5 pm) at home but will play their second game, nearby in Espanola, against EHS at 1 pm tomorrow (Thursday, February 18). Try to get out to support both Mustangs’ teams. Nulli Secundus!
NOJHL standout
Espanola Express forward Tyler King is on a tear since he came over from the French river Rapids. In 10 games he now has seven points with the Express. King followed up a recent four-goal match with a three-assist effort in Sault Set Marie as his new squad downed the American Eagles for a 5-3 victory on Saturday. King continues to play a strong 2-way game for his new team-mates. Keep up the hard work, Tyler!
A good sport is good for sports.
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