Mustang Minute
The Mustang hockey teams are looking to make a strong push through the second half of their seasons. Recently the boys squad won a dominant 8-3 game against Lively. On the score-sheet for goals were Tate Wallace with three, Alex Smith draining two and Seth Peltier, Connor Bellmore and Tyler Argue with single tallies. Unbelievably, with eight goals only five assists were awarded to: Greg Doane and Parker Dickinson with two and Nate Debassige with one.
On the Mustang girls’ schedule their last game was a 4 – 2 loss but the ‘Stangs put up a strong match with Brooke Addison and Faith Taylor lighting the lamp with just a single helper from Hannah Woestenenk on the two goals!
Keep up the hard work, Mustangs!
Panther points!
The Panther Atoms are doing well and are finding their stride with amazing playmaking abilities. They are on a nine-game winning streak and have been racking up the points individually and as a team. By de-emphasizing winning and focusing on skill development, the group is turning into a well-rounded bunch of players, both on and off the ice that distribute the scoring, work hard and are good public citizens.
In a focus being used by the coaches to de-emphasize “winning” they are tracking various statistics like SOG, scoring chances, and +/- ratings. They also informally track being first to the puck (FTPs as it has been termed within the team). Focusing on the “small things” and doing them right while bringing energy, putting in their best effort, and executing to the best of their ability every time is key to the group’s development and league success.
They are focused and are working hard towards their Tournament of Champions and league playoffs. They also look to provide a good showing at the Soo Peewee Extravaganza.
Current stat leaders include Lucas Dubois with 26 points, followed by Liam Gray and Kohyn Eshkawkogan with 26 points. Other leaders include Liam Gray with 15 goals, Kohyn Eshkawkogan with 12 assists, Kohyn Eshkawkogan with a +49 +/- rating, and Gage Hughson for having the biggest smile (usually after standing up the biggest guy on the other team).
It must be noted that after this past weekend, 10 players have a, +/- rating of over 20. There is an emphasis on playing strong team defence and working as a team to create offence and its being fully embraced by the players. Statistics for all players can be found at manitoulinpanthers.ca.
MMHA Spotlight!
The Mindemoya Thunder Atom team attended the Walden Friendship Tournament over this past weekend and came home champions. Over five competitive games they allowed just four goals and scored nine. In their first game versus the West Ferris Trappers they secured a 4-2 win, in game two, against Rayside Balfour, they eked out a 1-0 win. In their third game they downed the Nissan Titans, the 4th game vs Quattro Hawks, a 1-0 loss. They met the Hawks again in the championship game on Sunday and defeated them, 2-1, in the second 3 on 3 overtime. Congratulations to a hard working team consisting of goaltender Noah Thorpe (2 shutouts), John Thirkill, Fanuel Haile, Tessa Prior, Liam Lariviere, Rylan Carrick, Sadie Bridgeman, Brayden Phelps, Nevaeh Harper, Chase Becks, Landen Smith, Annie Balfe and Aiden Case. The coaching staff and parents/guardians are very proud of the team and their accomplishments.
Laurentian Voyageur halts slide of close losses
Randy Pascal’s “Sudbury Sports” website had a front page feature on Mindemoya’s Kennedy Lanktree this week. Playing in their sixth straight one goal game, it was critical that the Laurentian Voyageurs women’s hockey team come out on the right side of the ledger Saturday night in London.
Kennedy sniped a goal just 1:19 into the third period to snap a 2-2 tie and lifted the Voyageurs past the Western Mustangs 3-2 and bringing their unlucky skid to an end.
Ice Chips
The 2nd annual Adults Hockey Tournament is coming up Feb. 17-19th. Please contact Gerard Baibomicai. Three games are guaranteed. The top prize is $4,000 for the Sportsmen division which is accepting six teams in the men’s division as well as six in the ladies. There will also be a 45ers category where the top prize will be $1,500 and four teams being accepted. Additionally there will be a licensed dance on the Saturday night.
Owen Case (Matt and Leanne Case) was a strong force with his AAA Soo Pee Wee Greyhounds as the squad won the Gold medal At the Great Lakes Cup held in Stratford. They topped the Huron-Perth Lakers by a 2-1 count in the championship game.
Another Islander who was an important part of a AAA tournament effort was Rabbit Island’s Carson Shawana. He played some stout defence as his AAA Native Pee Wee Sons beat the New Jersey Devils 5-1 and although his team defeated the Buffalo Regals by a 2-1 count, they tied Team Illinois 2-2 leaving them a point shy of continuing on. Great show against a tough teams lads. The tournament was held in Buffalo, N.Y.
A good sport is good for sports.
chipstoquips@gmail.com
