This past weekend saw most of our local centre's hosting the first ever Muskoka Parry Sound Local League Championship Weekend, with Almaguin hosting the Midget Division at SSJ Arena in Sundridge.
The day provided some very entertaining hockey, culminating with Parry Sound 2 taking home the gold. Congratulations to Head Coach Dan Hildebrandt and all the Parry Sound Players.
Game #1 for Almaguin brought a match-up with the eventual champion Shamrocks from Parry Sound and Almaguin came ready to play, dropping a very close, back and forth game 4-2.
Parry Sound jumped out to an early 3-0 first period lead before Chandler Bos got the Ice Devils on the board with a late period goal (from Dennis Luckasavitch) to end the 1st 3-1.
Almaguin's much improved defence were able to hold the visitors in check through a scoreless 2nd, before giving up one more midway through the 3rd period. Not willing to go quietly, Almaguin kept battling right to the final buzzer with Noah Haggart adding a late, unassisted marker.
Game #2 saw even more improvement as Almaguin held the normally high scoring South Muskoka Bears to just 3 goals and hung on for a VERY well deserved 4-3 win.
After a scorless first, it was Almaguin's turn to jump out to the 3-0 lead on 2nd period tallies by Sabastian Patterson (assist to Noah Haggart), Owen Adams (unassisted) and Haggart (from Lindsay Young and Patterson).
Despite their best efforts, and two quick 3rd period goals, South Muskoka were not able to complete the comeback as Almaguin defenceman Riley Dunn added a late, unassisted power play goal to to seal the victory.
Game #3 pitted Almaguin vs Huntsville Aben Graphics in the MPSLL Midget Bronze medal game and as championship match-ups should, the game did not disappoint!
An exciting 1st period saw Aben net the opening goal with just over 2 minutes left in the, before Almaguin's Owen "Big Game" Adams replyed late in the 2nd to tie the game at one. Not to be out-done, Huntsville would regain the lead just over 2 minutes later to end the 2nd period up 2-1.
The 2-1 scoreline would last until the final minute of play. With Ice Devils goaltender Jacob DiSomma on the bench and the net empty for an extra attacker, Aben were able to add two more and hang on for a 4-1 win.
Way to go players on perhaps best played three games of the season. Well done!
Thank you to all involved in making our inaugural MPSLL Championship a huge success!
