MANITOULIN—The Manitoulin Secondary School (MSS) Mustangs boys’ hockey team is underway on the first best-of-three round against Lockerby in its playoff series, with the winner supposed to have been decided this past Monday, February 25 in a forced game three. However, blizzard conditions forced the rescheduling of the game to a later date that had not been decided as of press time.
This best-of-three set began in Little Current on Thursday, February 14. In many ways, it was not a promising start for the Mustangs.
“The lack of practice time due to the snow days and exams showed as the boys did not seem to be in sync with each other,” said Mr. Doane.
Zack Paul scored the Mustangs’ only goal and strong efforts from Jenelle Manitowabi in goal held the team together through the first part of the game. The score was just three to one for Lockerby going into the third period.
“A quick Lockerby goal in the third hurt and we ended up losing by a score of six to one,” said Mr. Doane.
For game two, the Mustangs’ lost their home ice advantage as they travelled to Countryside Arena in Sudbury last Monday, February 18, for an action-packed and exhilarating match.
Lockerby emerged with guns blazing and quickly had a point on the scoreboard while the Mustangs’ Ethan Corbiere was stationed in the sin bin for a hooking penalty. However, he soon made a redemption for his team.
“A short time later, Ethan took a pass from Jayden Little and was able to even the score shorthanded with a nice snap shot over the Lockerby goalie’s shoulder. Manitoulin added two more in the first with goals by Jayden from Keegan Clarke and Lukas Abotossaway, and Ben Marshall from Zack Paul and Jalen Waindubence,” said Mr. Doane.
However, despite his triumphant first goal, Ethan took a serious injury within the first period and will be unable to continue playing in the tournament. Mr. Doane says he will be missed.
During the second period, Lockerby fought back hard once more and tied the score going into the third. Try as they might, both teams were unable to secure any more goals throughout the third, leading to a 10-minute sudden-death three-on-three overtime.
“The Mustangs had to survive two penalties and a penalty shot in overtime with goaltender Shannon Debassige standing tall in net for the Mustangs. I think everyone on the team would agree that Shannon was our first star of the night, facing 31 Lockerby shots. He really kept us in the game all night long,” Mr. Doane said.
The tension was relentless. With just under two minutes remaining in overtime, a Lockerby defenceman tried to clear the puck from his end but hit Mustang Ben Marshall in the pads. As fate would have it, the puck deflected over to Eric Varey who had to act fast.
“Eric made no mistake, depositing a nice shot in the five-hole of the goalie, sealing the win for the Mustangs and setting up a deciding game three in the series. It was a solid team effort overall,” said Mr. Doane.
The final game of the three-game set will be rescheduled to determine whether Lockerby or Manitoulin will advance to the championship finals.
