NSSSA Volleyball
Congratulations to the Manitoulin Mustang junior girls’ volleyball team who were dominant in their North Shore Secondary School championship win last week. Congratulations to: Amber Wiwchar, Autumn Deschenes, Ayriell Nodecker, Chloe Peltier, Dakota Mishibinijima, Darci Debassige, Hailey McGillis-Prior, Jordan Bailey, Madison Skippen, Naomi Naokwegijig, Sienna McGraw, Whittier Gauthier, Sophie Heitkamp, manager Leah Carrick and coach Sherry Toner. Good luck at NOSSA, team!
Manitoulin Minor Peewee results
The Mindemoya Thunder Peewees had a chance to take their best of 5 first round MMHA Peewee series versus the Wiikwemkoong Hawks on Friday night at the J H Burt in Mindemoya. Wiky came out flying, though, and completely dominated the game, winning by a decisive 5 – 1. That result made a game 5 Saturday date necessary back in Wiikwemkoong. On Saturday, the home side Hawks again jumped out to an early lead, leading 1 – 0 in the first. Mindemoya held fast and in the second period a power play point shot from Landen Smith was tipped by Rylan Carrick to finally beat the stalwart Wiky goalie to tie it a 1-1. As was befitting such a seesaw series, regulation time ended at 1-1. In overtime the Thunder caught an early break by jumping on a turnover when Mindemoya’s Liam Lariviere swept down the left wing, cut across the crease and deposited the series winner between the post and the outstretched leg of the Wiky keeper to allow Mindemoya to take the series and move on to the division final against Little Current, a series that begins this week. The Thunder move on to the division final against Little Current, a series that begins this week.
Congrats on an awesome series to Hawk players: Kallan Jones, Tamara Bondy, Zahara Dube, Hope Eshkibok, Lucas Jacko, Ethan Manitowabi, Isabella Manitowabi, Shaye Ominika, Alex Peltier, Clara Peltier, Andrew Tabachak, Pahquis Trudeau, Marion Wemigwans and Tristan Wemigwans. Also hats off to head coach Pat Peltier, assistant coach Matthew Oshkabewisens, trainer Albert Peltier and manager Alanna Trudeau.
Nickel City, Island Sons
Liam Bridgeman, Carson Shawana and their Nickel City Sons Major Bantam AAA teammates were off to North Bay this past weekend, to take on the Trappers. The teams were to clash in the opening games of a best of 5 first round playoff series. Three weeks ago in the Soo the NCS boys lost their last regular season game, after which the head coach and assistant coach both resigned. So, after a three-week session of practices with their new coach, the boys were looking forward to implementing his system and getting back to meaningful play. Going in with a season record against NBT of 2-8-2, all seemed to be resting on how the boys would respond. It must be said that the Sons responded to this adversity admirably. On Saturday, they managed a 2-1 upset, and Sunday handled NBT again with a 3-2 decision and back to back wins for the first time this season! The boys may need reminding that, though a cliché, the deciding game is always the hardest to win. Only last year, the NCS was up 2-0 in a best of 5 on this same Trappers side, and it took Liam’s decisive marker in triple overtime of game No. 5 to decide it.
Super Series
This weekend, Skate Canada Manitoulin played host to clubs from across Ontario for the Super Series Manitoulin Event and they hosted 23 clubs and over 160 skaters. The Skate Canada Manitoulin skaters won several medals, achieved personal best scores and passed Gold tests. Participating from our local club were: Brooklynn Ferguson, Kirsten Bowerman, Morgan Dedman, Violet Sutherland, Shaylee Taylor, Jasmine Clark, Nicole Boyle and Elizabeth Wood.
Additionally, several competitive skaters are working to qualify for the provincial championships, also attended the event for a great mix of fun and excellent skating!
Wiikwemkoong Tournament!
The annual Wiikwemkoong hockey tournament was up for high stakes last weekend. In the women’s division, the team Get er’ Done won the championship. Hats off to: Danika Gagnon, Sydney Little, Leslie Taylor, Catherine Chevalier, Jasmine Bouffard, Kyrstin Lorenz, Katrina Pitawanakwat, Tara Dantouze, Kelsey Trimble, Vanessa Charbonneau, Alexie Legault, Jamie Tessier and Lindsay Polson.
Rookie of the year
The Hanover Barons of the PJHL recently announced that their Rookie of the Year was Mark Aljoe! In his inaugural year, in only 42 games Mark’s stats are 18 goals and 13 assists for an impressive total points of 31. It is fun to think what the young phenom will do next.
Kudos for Randy!
Manitoulin recently lost an amazing sportsman. Randy Thibault spent his life playing, coaching and volunteering for Western Manitoulin Minor Hockey Association, Manitoulin Minor Hockey Association, ladies’ hockey, ringette, men’s fastball, Hellions Ladies’ Ball and Sun’s Up Slo Pitch. He also volunteered for many years on the Gore Bay Recreation Committee. Randy loved his sports and received many awards for his hard work, commitment and dedication to minor hockey, from whom he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Town of Gore Bay and the Ken Neeb Memorial Award from Northern Ontario Hockey Association. Randy’s many, volunteer dedications will require many people to fill his positions to maintain all of the sporting opportunities available to Island athletes.
