Manitoulin minor spotlights!
Congratulations to the Wiikwemkoong Hawks’ Atom team who took the Manitoulin Minor championship after being down two games, coming back to win with three straight wins over the Mindemoya Thunder.
The Hawks are Nimkii Beaudry, Waasmowin Beaudry, Raine Dube, Meesah Ritchie, Larissa Saikkonen, Nash Jackson, Malakia Nebonaionoquet, Lena Trudeau, Treyton Manitowabi, Bailey Manitowabi, Tyrell Shawana, Noah Jackson, Evan Morrison, Malakai Assinewai and Hudson Jocko, trainer Teresa Roy, coaches Teejay Wabgijig and Lee Ann Dokum and manager Annie Dokum.
A nod as well to the Mindemoya squad who put together a strong season. Way to go Scarlet Mohr, Kohan Campbell, Ava Corbiere, Lucas Brown, Sable Powsey, Erin Spry, Sam McKenzie, Kaci Lariviere, Ethan McKenzie, Corie Brown and Adam Spry.
The Manitowaning Bantam Wolves completed a great season by taking the Bantam “A” Finals 3-0 against the Wiikwemkoong Hawks. Congratulations to the team who converted their impressive season record of one loss, one tie and 22 wins. Hats off to Ethan Dey, Jon Mende, Chloe Otosquoiab, Hope Osawamick, Joel Mailloux, Jayden Hembruff Roen, Alan Wilkin, Landen Harasym, Whittier Gauthier, Aysia Francis Debassige, Kal Debassige and Andrew Hughson.
Special acknowledgement goes to Brock Mackenzie for helping with this team for the last three years. Brock is not related to anyone on the team but returns every year to help coach. He’s a great role model to our Island youth! It should also be noted that the Dey family will be leaving Manitowaning for Sudbury next week and they will be missed as very busy participants and volunteers in the community. Good luck, Deys!
Another Green sniper!
Congratulations to Lucas Green, son of former Manitoulin Panther and Nickel District scoring star Steven Green and Tanya Carter. Lucas scored the overtime winner for his Sault Greyhounds’ Peewee team who just took the NOHA “AA” title over the West Ferris Trappers over the weekend. Steven was a legendary sniper to be sure but even he acknowledges that Lucas also helps out in the other end of the rink more than he did back in the day! Way to go, guys.
Volleyball medalists!
Congratulations to the awesome Lady Tomahawks volleyball team who took second place at the tournament at Cambrian College over the weekend. The squad lost the third set 15-13 in a best-of-three series in the championship game to a travelling rep high school team. Team leader Shelley Trudeau shared that they got a lot of compliments, with people asking how often and where they play. “We don’t play together, we don’t play in any leagues, just a bunch of friends getting together for the day,” she replied. The ref came over after the game and told them that they played awesome considering those other girls are on the court a few times per week, and they’re twice or triple their age! Way to go Billie Abotosaway, Sara Lazarus, Courtney Pheasant, Seraphine Ominika, Erin Morrison, Daphne Corbiere and Shelley Trudeau.
Annual Manitowaning Ladies Bonspiel
This great event, in memory of Isabelle Bowerman, fostered some abundant, friendly competition that recognized a huge number of dedicated people and a couple of cherished supporters who have passed on.
The first place winners hail from the Providence Bay Curling Club. Hats off to the Ellen Holroyd Rink (skip Ellen, vice Bev McDermid, second Patti Jo Woods and lead Lisa White). Skip Ellen Holroyd was quoted as she accepted their trophy, “We would like to thank all the members of Manitowaning Curling Club for putting on a wonderful event. The ice was keen, the curling was great and the food was delicious.”
“We would also like to acknowledge our dear friend Colleen Edwards who is with us today in spirit.”
Hats off to Mindemoya’s Gloria Haner rink who took second place. Third-place winners were the Yvonne Bondi Rink of Mindemoya.
Island Nickel Sons face final game!
This past weekend saw the continuation of the first-round playoff series between Liam Bridgeman and Carson Shawana’s Nickel City Sons Major Bantam AAA squad and the North Bay Trappers. After stealing the first two games in North Bay, the Sons were looking to close out the series on Saturday in Sudbury. Game three was a very fast, hard-hitting defensive tilt, with the action surging from end to end, while the goaltenders both shut down any shots that managed to get through. Scoreless through two, it was midway through the third when a Sons’ defenceman lofted a shot high that completely screened the North Bay goalie, and the game had its first goal.
Facing elimination, North Bay stepped up the pressure but the Sons played strongly on the defensive end, consistently taking away the mid-ice and clearing the defensive zone effectively. Just 14 seconds in to the extra frame a mishandling of the puck in the defensive zone cost a turnover and it was into the Sons’ net. North Bay had rallied, four minutes from an elimination sweep, and they were back in the series.
On Sunday, North Bay came out confident and flying, scoring three goals in the first period and eventually going up by five before Carson notched the shutout spoiler. With a 5-1 final, the series is tied at two games apiece with North Bay now carrying momentum and the home ice advantage as game five goes tomorrow night in Powasson.
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