Flyers settle for tie in Monctonian opener
Published Friday November 20th, 2009
Miramichi Rivermen fall 6-5 to Pictou County
The Moncton Mark's Work Wearhouse Flyers came into the Cavendish Farms Monctonian AAA Challenge on a roll, winning six of their last seven games in the New Brunswick-P.E.I. Major Midget AAA Hockey League.
But they didn't show that type of form on the opening night of the 29th annual tournament at the Red Ball Internet Centre.
The Flyers took a 4-2 lead into the third period, but gave up a pair of goals in the final frame to settle for a 4-4 tie with the Eastern Ontario Wild in their opening game in the major midget AAA division last night.
"We felt like we outplayed the other team, but we still didn't play that well and we weren't that sharp. Maybe we underestimated them, maybe we were nervous, but we have to be better," said Moncton head coach John DeCourcey.
"We gave up a couple goals in the third period. We had a couple turnovers and it came back to haunt us, so it's disappointing."
Brett McNeill, with a pair, Joslin Gallant and Jordan Murray scored for the Flyers, who lost 3-0 to the Cornwall Thunder in last year's tournament final. Cody Kelly and Andrew Charlebois each had a goal and an assist and Lakota Jacobs and Jimmy Berniquez also tallied for the Wild, who play out of Ottawa.
Goaltenders were Brandon Thibeau for Moncton and Sebastien Gratten for Eastern Ontario.
The Flyers, looking for their first Monctonian championship since 1984, play the South Shore Mustangs of Nova Scotia today at 12:15 p.m.
"We're going to start over. We've got a clean slate," said DeCourcey, who has eight players back from last year's team, which won the Atlantic and New Brunswick titles and attended the Telus Cup national championship. "We're still in control of our own destiny."
Meanwhile, the Miramichi Rae's Yamaha Rivermen, who entered the tournament with an 11-2-1 first-place record in the N.B.-P.E.I. league, lost 6-5 to the Pictou County Weeks in their opener yesterday.
Cal Gloade led the Weeks with a goal and two assists while Brent Turnball had two goals and Garrett Holmes, Matt Symes and Daniel MacLeod had one each. The Rivermen received two goals from both Rankyn Campbell and Colby Lawson and one from Brett Malone.
Jesse Cox earned the win in net while Alexandre Jean Maillet took the loss.
Miramichi meets the Halifax Titans today at 2 p.m.
Minor Midget AAA
The Moncton Hawks split their first two games yesterday in the minor midget AAA division.
The Antigonish Bulldogs blanked the Hawks 4-0 last night.
Colby Van Oirschot, Brad Daley, Bryden Boudreau and Morgan MacKinnon found the back of the net for the Bulldogs. Keagan Butler registered the shutout while Nathan Armstrong was tagged with loss in net.
Earlier, Moncton edged the East Hants Penguins 1-0. Chris Cormier scored for the Hawks and Niall MacKinnon recorded the shutout. Kinnon MacMillan was the losing goaltender.
Moncton completes the round robin today against the Mid-Isle Matrix of P.E.I. at 5:30 p.m.
Also yesterday, the West-Kent Aces fell 6-2 to the Summerside Capitals in their first game. Tyson Phillips had two goals and two assists to pace the Capitals. Mark Palmer, with a pair, Jordan Buchanan and Tyler Doyle also scored in the win. Hollis Copage replied with two goals for the Aces.
Winning goaltender was Nathan Ferrish. Dominic Hache suffered the loss.
West-Kent plays twice today, against the Cole Harbour Wings at 8:45 a.m. and St. John's Misdemeanors at 9 p.m.
The tournament features 44 teams -- 20 major midget AAA and 24 minor midget AAA teams -- from Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario and Massachusetts. It continues until Sunday.
* For scores and schedule, see Scoreboard Page.
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