Joey Payeur
The boys’ hockey rivalry between the Muskies and Dryden Eagles may be taking an unscheduled year off.
Because, as the theory goes, it’s not a rivalry if one team always is beating the other to a pulp.
The Muskies shook off a winless weekend to annihilate the host Eagles 13-2 on Tuesday night in the NorWOSSA season-opener for both squads.
“Dryden was short four guys,” noted Muskie head coach Jamie Davis about the unusually lopsided loss by what is annually one of Fort High’s tougher challengers in the league.
“They’ll get some guys back and they’ll be better.”
The Muskies were coming off a three-game sweep by the Thunder Bay Minor Midget Kings in their exhibition series over the weekend.
Whether it was frustration or just talent domination, the black-and-gold pounded the Eagles’ net early and often with scoring chances en route to their convincing victory.
Chase Ferguson (two) and Braden Webb netted first-period goals to put the Muskies up 3-0.
Cam Zappatelli got the Eagles on the board in the second, but Tyler Mosbeck struck back with two of his own before Cole Tymkin added one to stretch the lead to 6-1 entering the third.
The floodgates then opened up as Fort High bombarded the Eagles for seven goals.
Webb and Tymkin both got their second of the night while Graeme Kitt tallied twice.
Jack Hamilton, David Pryde, and Tyler VanUden added singles, although Davis seemed certain VanUden’s goal should have been credited to Pryde.
Kirk Markowski had the lone Dryden goal in the frame.
Jonah Johnson earned the win between the pipes while Eagles’ starter Devon Carne was replaced midway through the game by Josh Kitt.
The Muskies now head to Morden, Man. for a tournament beginning tomorrow, with the final set for Sunday.
Fort High then will play their NorWOSSA home-opener on Tuesday (Nov. 19) at 7:15 p.m. at Ice for Kids Arena against the Kenora Broncos.
