The Fort Frances Midget ‘AA’ Canadians skated to three losses and a tie at the Rooster Cup in Mitchell, S.D. over the weekend.
The Canadians were blanked 4-0 by host Mitchell in their opening game of the tournament Friday night, then were blown out by scores 9-0 to Sioux Falls, S.D. and 7-1 to Brookings, S.D. on Saturday.
Irv Lockman netted the lone Canadians goal against Brookings, with Dayton Brown and Matt Beck drawing the assists.
The Canadians wrapped up play Sunday with a 2-2 tie against Watertown, S.D. Captain George Ossachuk scored both goals.
The Rooster Cup is unique in that it pits South Dakota-based teams against a contingent of squads from across North America.
The two groups compete in a total of 32 games. Two points are awarded for a win while each team receives one point in the case of a tie.
South Dakota was awarded the Rooster Cup this year after accumulating the necessary 33 points to be crowned champions.
The Canadians have been hampered by a recent string of injuries to their blueline. Already missing Will Morrisseau, Justin Scott, and Andrew Maki, the squad also lost Josh Scott during the Rooster Cup.
The Canadians are hoping to have Morrisseau, Maki, and Justin Scott back when they host the inaugural Fort Frances Canadians Midget ‘AA’ tournament this weekend at the Memorial Sports Centre.
The tournament also will feature the Winnipeg Rangers, Grand Forks, Duluth, Wayzata, and a local affiliate club.
The Fort Frances affiliate will take on the Winnipeg Rangers in the tournament’s opening game Friday at 6:15 p.m. at the Ice for Kids Arena.
The Canadians will see their first tournament action at 8:15 p.m. against Wayzata.