Staff
Ending up in the third-place game would be a disappointment to most good teams.
It’s how one deals with the disappointment that counts.
The Muskie boys’ hockey team shook off its semi-final loss to earn a 3-2 win over the Sturgeon Heights Huskies of Winnipeg yesterday to claim the bronze medal at the John Taylor Piper Classic tournament there.
Mikel Ward, Brent Jourdain, and Chase McGuire gave the Muskies a 3-0 lead midway through the third period.
The Huskies got one back on the power play later in the frame, then added a meaningless one right at the buzzer.
Matt Booth earned the win in goal.
The Muskies won their pool by beating the Garden City Gophers (Winnipeg) 7-3 and Shaftesbury Titans 6-1.
Byron Stewart and James Gushulak each scored twice against the Gophers, with singles going to Brandon Kocuiba, Mike Drouin, and Cam Gushulak.
Eric Pitkanen and McGuire both netted a pair against the Titans while Austin Armstrong and Gushulak added one each.
But in the semi-finals, the Muskies fell 6-2 to the Lord Selkirk Royals (Winnipeg).
Gushulak and McGuire were the goal scorers.
Booth was in goal the entire tournament as backup netminder Spencer Murphy (illness) did not make the trip.
Fort High originally was scheduled to host the Thunder Bay Minor Midget ‘AAA’ Kings for three exhibition games this weekend after playing three there earlier this season.
But the Kings cancelled the return series two weeks ago for what they cited as financial considerations.
As such, the Muskies don’t return to the ice until Jan. 31 when they host the Sioux Lookout Warriors at 7:30 p.m. at the ’52 Canadians Arena.
