Off their rock, hockey!
Sagamok’s Jacinta Eshkakogan and Mindemoya’s Delaney Bridgeman, hardworking line-mates on the Sudbury Lady Wolves, Tier 1 AA U18 team, have had a busy couple of weeks. After defeating the King Royals 7-1 and 6-0 at home two weekends ago the Lady Wolves were off to North Bay to face the Ice Bolts in the provincial play-downs. After a 1-1 tie in the series opener, Sudbury needed a victory as a loss or another tie would advance the Bolts. (first rule in a tie-breaker being fewest penalties, this ain’t fight club). The Lady Wolves managed a 3-1 victory, taking the right to represent the north in Toronto in April.
This past weekend the Lady Wolves were off to Toronto for a 3 game slate. Due to a scheduling mix up, when they faced the Royals again, in Schomberg this time, it was at 5:45 Saturday evening tilt instead of the initially planned morning slot of 10:45. The COVID shuffle has been hard on managers but, finally in this instance, good for hotels. After a decisive Lady Wolves 4-0 win, it was a quick zip down the DVP to face the Central York Panthers in Elgin Mills at 8:15. Sudbury fought a tough opponent and were carrying a well deserved 2-1 lead late into the third when the relentless Panthers managed the equalizer, the game ending 2-2. In Sunday afternoon’s final game of the trip, Sudbury carried the lead into the waning moments of the 3rd again, this time 2-0, when a defensive miscue rewarded the Panthers pressure with a 2-1 marker against the previously impermeable SLW goalie Emily Dambremont. This time though, captain Aoife Mahaffy iced it with a 170-foot empty netter for a 3-1 final. Five out of a possible six points, WTG girls!
In Nickel District League playoffs, M’Chigeeng’s James Panamick and son James, respectively coach and goaltend for the Copper Cliff Reds U13 A team, faced off against their league rivals, including the lone Manitoulin Panthers team in 2022. After finishing the preliminary round undefeated, including a 5-2 victory over the Panthers, the Reds downed the Sudbury Lady Wolves U13A team 3-0 in the semis before closing out their undefeated run with a decisive 4 – 2 win over the Nickel City Sharks for the championship. Congratulations Big and Little James!
Keeping the Island-fueled Copper Cliff run going this past weekend, Manitowaning’s William McComb, Gore Bay’s Corbin Best and their U15 AA Reds side avenged a 4-3 preliminary round loss to the Timmins North Stars with a decisive 4-0 championship slam dunk, despite the Timmins side’s ‘spirited’, 17-penalty effort. Congrats boys!
Also in the NDMHL AA weekend, Mindemoya’s Jack Bridgeman and his Nickel City Junior Sons U13 AA team had their playoff. Jack managed 5 goals in 3 games, scoring the lone goal in the opening tie against Copper Cliff, and a ‘hatty’ in the subsequent 3-3 tie against eventual champions, Timmins. The NCJS side came up against a hot goaltender versus Temiskaming Shores, and fell 5-3 despite a 32-12 SOG advantage and were eliminated.
Meanwhile in college hockey, Aundek Omni Kaning’s Gabby Corbiere is backstopping her Sault College Cougars who are off to St Louis over the March Break. Good luck, Gabby!
Central Manitoulin March Break Activities
Central Manitoulin will be open to youth activities over the school Break. They will be hosting Painting Classes, Skating, Crafts, Dance instructions and for the first time, a Youth March Break Fishing Tournament! The township is proud to announce that the weeklong tournament has over $2500 in cash and prizes donated by local business to entice their youth to get out and enjoy the outdoors.
The two age categories are 13 to 18 and 12 and under, with prizes for longest fish in perch, walleye and lake trout. Additionally, mystery length prizes are also available! Fish must be caught in an inland lake that is within or touches the Municipality of Central Manitoulin. Meaning, if the lake touches Central Manitoulin you can use the whole lake to catch a fish. Example of permitted whole lakes include Mindemoya, Kagawong, Manitou and Mud Lake. Note that Lake Huron and rivers are excluded.
Entrants must be a Central Manitoulin youth resident 18 and under attending Central Manitoulin Public School (CMPS), Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) or homeschooled. CMPS students that attend from another community are eligible. For example, Rockville, Tehkummah, Billings and M’Chigeeng students attending CMPS are eligible. Visit the Central website for more details.
Island Strong fitness
Kellie Robinson is another local instructor offering the call for your fitness needs. She is teaching at Vitality Health and Fitness (Highway 542, Mindemoya) and has been a ZUMBA instructor for 12 years. She is also certified as a ZUMBA for Kids instructor and Strong Nation instructor (HIIT class created by ZUMBA).
Due to restrictions still in place, class size is limited. Registration is necessary at present due to the limited spots.
Her Facebook business name is Island Strong and where you can find more information. She reminds potential participants that all you will need are good fitness shoes, water and a great attitude!
A good sport is good for sports
chipstoquips@gmail.com
