League News
HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY: Dalbrae Dragons stun host Glace Bay Panthers on Day 2 of Panther Classic in Cape Breton
Kenzie Batherson of the Dalbrae Dragons celebrates after scoring a goal against the Glace Bay Panthers during Panther Classic high school hockey action at Miners Forum in Glace Bay on Friday. Dalbrae won the game 4-2. JEREMY FRASER/CAPE BRETON POST.
GLACE BAY, N.S. – The Dalbrae Dragons shocked fans at Miners Forum in Glace Bay on Friday night.
Dalbrae, a Division 2 team playing in a Division 1 tournament, upset the host Glace Bay Panthers 4-2 to claim their first victory at the Panther Classic high school hockey tournament.
The Dragons, who are currently in second place in the Cape Breton West High School Hockey League with a 7-0-0-0 record, scored twice in the third period on their way to the win.
Last month, Dalbrae and Glace Bay played twice at the Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold Hockey Tournament in North Sydney with the Panthers handing the Dragons 7-0 and 7-1 losses – the second game in the tournament semifinal.
Kenzie Batherson had the game-winner on Friday, scoring at 7:52 of the third period. Ethan MacLean, Cole Campbell and Olan VanZutphen also added goals for the Dragons.
Ty Oliver, on a penalty shot, and Cohen McNeil buried goals for the Panthers.
Dalbrae’s Neil MacLean made 22 saves. Glace Bay’s Kristian MacKenzie stopped 32 of 35 shots.
The Dragons (1-0) will play twice on Saturday at 10 a.m. against the Auburn Drive Eagles of Cole Harbour and 4 p.m. against the Sydney Academy Wildcats.
As for Glace Bay (1-1), they wrap up the round robin portion of the tournament on Saturday at 6 p.m. against Auburn Drive.
Neil MacLean of the Dalbrae Dragons, right, stretches across the crease to make a save on Kale MacDonald of the Glace Bay Panthers Panther Classic high school hockey action at Miners Forum in Glace Bay on Friday. Dalbrae won the game 4-2. JEREMY FRASER/CAPE BRETON POST. - Jeremy Fraser
CEC COUGARS 6, RIVERVIEW RAVENS 1
The Cougars opened their tournament with a victory over the short-staffed Riverview Ravens.
Max Greatorex scored twice while Miles Carreau, Ethan Wolfe, Drew Williams and Alexander Field netted goals for the Cougars (1-0).
Gavin Philippo had the lone goal for the Ravens (0-1-1-0).
CEC’s Sam Oxner made 10 saves. Riverview’s Max Shaheen stopped 20 of 26 shots.
According to the game sheet, Riverview had six affiliate players in their lineup including Philippo, Coltin MacLeod, Liam Burman, Kyle MacDonald, Josh Gogan and Blake Confiant.
HALIFAX WEST WARRIORS 5, MEMORIAL MARAUDERS 4
A late third period goal by Luc Pineau, his second of the game, lifted the Warriors to the victory over the Sydney Mines-based Marauders.
Thomas Panopalis, Mack Bursey and Yorgos Gavas also found the back of the net for the Warriors (1-0-0-0).
Sam Gracie scored twice while Davis MacInnis and Hudson McGean added single markers for the Marauders (1-1-0-0)
Halifax West’s Gavin Pye and Issac Manette both shared time in goal. Pye stopped three of five shots while Manette turned aside 10 of 12.
Goaltending statistics were not accurately reported on the game sheet for Memorial’s Jack MacPhee.
Kenzie Batherson of the Dalbrae Dragons silences the crowd during the third period against the Glace Bay Panthers during Panther Classic high school hockey action at Miners Forum in Glace Bay on Friday. Dalbrae won the game 4-2. JEREMY FRASER/CAPE BRETON POST. - Jeremy Fraser
AUBRUN DRIVE EAGLES 5, SYDNEY ACADEMY WILDCATS 3
The Eagles claimed their first victory of the tournament over the Wildcats.
Jack Girard netted a pair of goals while Logan Cameron, Charlie Dewar and Cruz Thompson chipped in with goals for the Eagles (1-0-0-0).
Charlie Francis scored twice while Matthew MacIntyre also added a goal for the Wildcats (0-2-0-0).
Auburn Drive’s Roman Young made eight saves. Sydney Academy’s Brody Campbell stopped 29 of 34 shots.
CEC COUGARS 3, HALIFAX WEST WARRIORS 1
The Cougars used a three-goal third period to get by the Warriors to wrap up Day 2 of action at the tournament.
Dylan Atwater, Malky Murphy and Seth MacPherson notched goals for the Cougars (2-0-0-0).
Brody Fitzpatrick had the lone goal for the Warriors (1-1-0-0).
CEC’s Bob Williams-Henderson made 16 saves. Halifax West’s Issac Manette turned aside 27 of 29 shots.
In a rarity in high school hockey, the game featured no penalties.
- Jeremy Fraser is the sports reporter for the Cape Breton Post. Follow him on X (Twitter) @CBPost_Jeremy.