Joey Payeur
Jamie Davis’ team was so on its game, it even surpassed his prediction for the game.
Graeme Kitt and Jarred Taylor each netted hat tricks as the Muskie boys’ hockey team routed the host St. Thomas Aquinas Saints (Kenora) 13-0 to conclude their NorWOSSA regular season last night.
“I didn’t expect 13-0,” Davis admitted.
“I thought we played really well,” he added. “Right from the start, we seemed to control the puck.”
The first-place Muskies (14-1) were merciless in their final playoff tune-up, leading 5-0 after the first period and 7-0 through two.
Fort High then piled on six more goals in the third against a disheartened group of Saints (4-11), who were eliminated from post-season contention after losing 3-2 to the Kenora Broncos on Tuesday.
Matt Cheetham added a pair of tallies while Carter Brown, Sam Tibbs, Chase McGuire, Tyler VanUden, and Spencer Shortreed added singles.
Dylan Ossachuk was rarely challenged in earning the shutout.
The Muskies now will face the four-place Broncos (7-8) in their best-of-three NorWOSSA semi-final showdown, will kicks off this Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. at the ’52 Canadians Arena.
Fort High swept the season series with the Broncos 3-0, handily outscoring them 27-2.
But Kenora is playing its best hockey of the season right now—something Davis got to watch first-hand last night.
The Broncos trailed second-place Dryden 3-0 after the first period but roared back to upset the Eagles (11-4) 4-3 margin in a game played right before the Muskies and Saints took to the ice.
Kenora also came back from a two-goal deficit against St. Thomas Aquinas on Tuesday to win 3-2 and dash the Saints’ playoff hopes.
“We’re playing a team on a roll,” Davis acknowledged.
“They have become more disciplined and have added more structure to their game as the season has gone on.
“As long as we play our game, we should be fine≤” Davis added.
“But you never know.”
Game 2 is slated for next Thursday (Feb. 19) in Kenora, with Game 3 (if necessary) back here Feb. 21.
Dryden will face the Red Lake Rams in the other semi-final series.
