Staff
When one goes on a big stage for the first time, it only makes sense to make a grand entrance.
Tyler VanUden’s short-handed goal early in the first period yesterday morning sparked the Muskie boys’ hockey team to a 4-2 victory over the host Fellowes Falcons in their opening game at the OFSAA ‘A/AA’ championship in Pembroke/Petawawa.
Fort High, the top-seeded team in Pool ‘D’ at No. 4, held a huge advantage in puck possession and shots on goal against the 15th-ranked Falcons.
With Connor Tibbs in the box, VanUden put the Muskies on the board at 2:31 of the first on a set-up from Jarred Taylor.
Matt Cheetham later cranked a shot past Falcons’ goalie Darren Poirier at 10:25 for a 2-0 edge.
Cheetham then showcased his play-making skills by setting up Graeme Kitt for a backhander that made it 3-0.
The Falcons gave their home crowd a boost when Ted Davis netted one before the end of the frame.
The Muskies thought they had regained a three-goal lead early in what ended up to be a scoreless second.
But Brent Jourdain’s tally was waved off.
Jarred Taylor remedied that situation in third with a shot to put Fort High up 4-1.
The Falcons notched out one more goal by Noah Maika but Muskie goalie Dylan Ossachuk shut the door the rest of the way.
Fort High was back in action this morning against the ninth-ranked St. Joseph’s Panthers from Cornwall (the outcome was unknown as of press time).
The Muskies then conclude pool play at 4 p.m. (CDT) versus the sixth-seeded St. Michael Mustangs (Niagara Falls).
The top two teams in each pool advance to the quarter-finals, which get underway tomorrow.
The gold- and bronze-medal games are slated for Friday.
