Staff
It wasn’t a matter of if but when.
The Muskie boys’ hockey team locked up first place—and home-ice advantage throughout the NorWOSSA playoffs—after a pair of dominating weekend wins at the ’52 Canadians Arena.
Fort High (12-0) scored the last seven goals Friday night to put away the Red Lake Rams 12-3, officially clinching top spot.
Graeme Kitt racked up eight points, including a hat trick.
Cam Gushulak also had a three-goal night while Chase McGuire and Sully Shortreed each tallied twice.
Jon Busch and Ethan Jourdain added singles while Matt Booth earned the win in goal.
Goal scorers for the Rams (0-11-0-2) were unavailable at press time.
The black-and-gold didn’t let up any on Saturday night—dumping the Kenora Broncos 9-1 to sweep the three-game season series.
Connor Tibbs scored his first two goals of the season while McGuire had a pair for the second-straight night.
Mike Drouin, Nick Hahkala, Gushulak and Cooper Witherspoon added one each while Dylan Ossachuk was victorious in goal.
The goal scorer was unavailable for the Broncos (8-5), who remain one point back of the second-place Sioux Lookout Warriors (7-4-1-2).
Meanwhile, it’s sure to be an exciting night at the Ice For Kids Arena tonight when the Muskies and the International Falls Broncos revive their cross-border rivalry after a four-year hiatus.
A sell-out crowd is expected for the 6:15 p.m. contest, with doors scheduled to open one hour earlier at 5:15 p.m. (not 5:30 p.m. as previously reported).
All tickets will be sold at the door, which cost $7 for adults and $5 for students, with kids under 12 admitted free.
Students are encouraged to bring some form of ID so they can be given a certain colour of wristband and seated in the appropriate section with others supporting their school.
Children wanting to sit with their parents may do so in a special reserved section.
OPP officers also will be on hand to check spectators entering the game.
Anyone suspected of intoxication will be barred from the arena while no large purses, backpacks, or other such items will be allowed in the arena.
Law enforcement officers and parent volunteers from the Muskies, along with administrators from both schools, also will be on the lookout for any inappropriate behaviour during the game.
If such situations occur, the game will be stopped and the offenders removed from the arena immediately.
The extra precautions were put in place after a rash of incidents in the stands and the parking lot during the last game between the two teams in 2012 caused it to be put on hold.
