Panther Points!
This week the U15 Manitoulin Panthers travelled to Copper Cliff where the team made great plays and controlled the game, leaving with a 7-0 win. They continued that momentum into Sunday’s game against the North Shore Thundercats, where again the score was 7-0 for the Panthers. The U15 team continues to be unbeaten in league play and an admirable,goals-per-game average!
The U13 Manitoulin Panthers battled it out in a hard-fought game on Sunday that ended in a 2-2 tie, showing grit and determination on the ice. Aiden Corbiere and Brody King each found the back of the net for the Panthers during the second period, with key assists from Boston Abotossaway and Aiden Corbiere, leaving the score 2-0 entering the third period. The Sudbury Wolves came back and tied it up in the third period. Despite relentless pressure from both teams, neither could break the deadlock, leaving the final score tied. It was a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer. Go Panthers!
Curling club props!
The Providence Bay Youth and Junior Curling Club recently held a Hit-Draw-Tap competition during their junior curling program. The event had curlers throwing five hits (take-outs), five draw shots and five tap shots (bumping a rock into the house). Each shot gets a score out of five and their total score is uploaded to a national database.
Parker Johnston finished 4th in Northern Ontario for his age group (10-12) and is now participating in the provincial shoot-out being held at the Scotties (A.P.S.K.A. the Women’s National Championships) in Thunder Bay on February 15. Joshua Joyce finished 5th in his age group (6-7) and will be participating in a provincial shoot-out being held in North Bay during U15 Rockfest on March 21!
Coach and founder of the club Angela Johnston has had an explosion in numbers in just a few years. At a recent spiel in Espanola, they made a huge impression with their ranks. In the U18 Event the MSS Boys including two PBCC alumni (Eric Wahl, Spencer Johnston, Rylan Pennie, Isaac Quackenbush) finished third. Also competing were the Mustang Girls (Katelyn Shank, Avery Barnes, Grace Pennie, Danika Skippen (PBCC)). The Prov Juniors (Silva Verboom, David Joyce, Amber Ducharme, John McLean) were in the U15 Event.
Actually, all of the Prov junior teams played, featuring: Devon MacKelvie, Parker Johnston, Shawn MacKelvie, Charlie Orford who won the A event. Foursome David Cooper, William Quinn, Easton Lauber and Tommy Joyce won the B event. The remaining participants were: Sarah Joyce, Autumn Bryan, Rosie Duguay, Cordelia McLean, Laura Lynn Cooper and Avery Sparling.
In the Little Rocks Events participants: Arie and Isaiah Miller, Josh Joyce and Abby Lauber.

NOJHL player of the week!
Aundeck Omni Kaning’s Samuel Assinewai has been on a tear for his Jr. A, Sudbury Cubs. He is on a 20-game point streak (23 G, 23 A), recording 65 points in 35 games, and racking up 175 career NOJHL points. On top of that he has been named one of BrokerLink’s Three Stars of the Week!
Island hikers atop Africa!
Three Manitoulin friends just took a trip of a lifetime in Tanzania featuring a safari and a hike up Mount Kilimanjaro. Congratulations to Jesse Beaudin, Harrison Noble and Jenn Delange for attempting the highest peak on the continent. Just six summits left!
MDB founder passes
Robert ‘Bob’ Aljoe was one of the driving forces behind rep hockey on Manitoulin in the 80s. The Manitoulin Dolomite Bantams, who evolved into the Panthers, became a reality thanks to Bob. Many of the era will remember Bob as a fierce competitor and friend, behind the bench and in the stands. You will be missed, Bob.