Bonspiel Winners!
Congratulations to Team Wahl (Skip Eric Wahl, Vice Spencer Johnston, Second Devon McKelvie and Lead Parker Johnston) who won the Tri-Town Toyota Youth Bonspiel over the weekend. The young elementary/secondary rink were undefeated in the U-18 Men’s division held at the Horne Granite Centre in New Liskeard.
Panther Points!
The U15 Manitoulin Panthers hit the road to Blind River to play the North Shore Thundercats in a double header. Game one saw Boston Abotossaway, Josh McComb, Landon Armstrong, Ryley Corbiere, Casey Bowerman (from Jackson Lalonde), Adrian Bois and Collin Campbell netting eight goals with help from their teammates to take an 8-5 win.
In the second game, Merrik Sokoloski had three assists and Boston Abotossaway, Adrian Bois, Casey Bowerman, Josh McComb and Mathew Debassige scored to give the Panthers a 7-1 win.
The U13 Panthers battled hard at home on Sunday in a fast, back and forth game with the Thundercats. Jacen Simon opened up scoring for the Panthers with a hard shot from the point. Jordyn Corbiere also put one in from the blue line, and Oliver Wilding scored the third in a tough 6-3 loss.
The U11 Panthers also saw the North Shore Thundercats this weekend. On Saturday they met at Massey arena and battled it out to a 4-4 tie, with goals by Alexander Woods (assisted by Bryce Debassige), Connor Pheasant (from Hunter Inglis and Bryce Debassige), then Hunter Inglis (assisted by Harrison Wright and Connor Pheasant) and Connor Pheasant again (from Reid Flood and Alec Mills).
On Sunday the Thundercats came to the Island. Bryce Debassige took a pass from Connor Pheasant, netting the first goal for the Panthers, and Harrison Wright set up Greyson Francis for their second goal in the 8-2 loss.
The U18 Lady Panthers had a massive tournament win in North Bay and I was able to get results from the score-sheet side of things that is always only part of the story. For instance, I failed to mention the stellar job netminder Brynn Best did. Brynn also played this well for the whole tournament, taking over for her injured teammate.
Those shut-down blue-liners and defensive forwards might not get a point but your teammates especially your goalie notice that back-check, blocked shot and clearing your defensive zone. Hats off to all the unsung heroes of your big win. Go Panthers!
