saultsports 
Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
Over the Friday, February 7th to Sunday, February 9th weekend, the Soo U16 Greyhounds hit the road to face the New Liskeard Cubs, Kapuskasing Flyers, and the Timmins Majors in Great North U18 Hockey League action.
Game one in New Liskeard on Friday, February 7th, the Soo Greyhounds emerged victorious in a hard-fought battle against the New Liskeard Cubs, securing a 6-4 win in a game that saw plenty of back-and-forth action. The game was packed with exciting moments, big goals, and a dramatic finish.
The first period saw the Greyhounds strike early with Finlay Carlson wasted no time putting the Greyhounds on the scoreboard, opening the game with a quick goal at the 2:31 mark of the first period. Carlson’s fifth goal of the season found its way past Cubs goaltender Matt Leitch, giving the Soo a 1-0 lead.
The Cubs, however, were not to be outdone. At the start of the second period, Maverick Hill netted his eighth goal of the season, tying the game 1-1 for New Liskeard.
In the second, Cubs take control just minutes later, the Cubs took the lead when Thomas Rannou scored his seventh of the season to give New Liskeard a 2-1 advantage. Cameron Olsen then extended the Cubs’ lead to 3-1 with his fourth goal of the season, capitalizing on a chance and putting the Greyhounds on their heels.
But the Soo wasn’t backing down. Finlay Escasa pulled the Greyhounds within one, scoring his sixth of the season to make it 3-2, reigniting the visitors’ hopes.
As the game went on, the intensity only increased. Nico Bossio was the hero for the Greyhounds, tying the game at 3-3 with a slick shot that beat Leitch, marking his ninth goal of the season.
Bossio wasn’t finished. Later in the period, he struck again with his second of the night, giving the Soo a 4-3 lead and putting them in control.
But just as it seemed the Greyhounds might take command, the Cubs answered back. Jake Hey found the back of the net to tie the game once again, making it 4-4, as the crowd in New Liskeard was on the edge of their seats.
In the final minutes with a thrilling finish, the game tied at 4-4 and the clock ticking down, the Greyhounds had one last opportunity to seize the win. Nathan Watts, playing with poise, fired his sixth goal of the season, giving the Soo a 5-4 lead with just under two minutes to go.
As the Cubs pulled Leitch for an extra attacker, they desperately tried to find an equalizer. But it was the Greyhounds who sealed the deal. Adam Pszeniczny, in the final seconds of the game, found the empty net, scoring his 18th goal of the season to secure a 6-4 victory for the Soo.
In game two of the weekend in Kapuskasing on Saturday, February 8th and coming off a 6 – 4 win in New Liskeard in a thrilling back-and-forth contest, the Soo Greyhounds emerged with a hard-fought 7-6 victory over the Kapuskasing Flyers. The game featured multiple lead changes, power-play goals, and standout performances, with Adam Pszeniczny delivering a memorable hat trick to help seal the win for the Greyhounds.
In the first period the Flyers strike early, the game got off to a fast start when the Flyers capitalized on a power play opportunity. Connor McNabb opened the scoring with his seventh goal of the season, firing one past Greyhounds netminder Tanner Carriere to give Kapuskasing a 1-0 lead.
The Flyers continued their momentum and doubled their lead soon after. Gavin Garley found the back of the net with his second goal of the season, putting Kapuskasing ahead 2-0 in the first period.
Starting the second period, the Greyhounds fought back and came out strong in the second period, determined to respond. Nathan Watts gave the Soo their first goal of the game, netting his seventh of the season behind Flyers goaltender Nicolas-Xavier Racicot to pull the Greyhounds within one at 2-1.
Just nine seconds after his first goal, Watts found the back of the net again to tie the game 2-2, sending the Greyhounds’ bench into a frenzy.
The Soo didn’t stop there. Adam Pszeniczny gave the Greyhounds their first lead of the game with his 19th goal of the season, putting the visitors up 3-2. Finlay Carlson extended the lead to 4-2 with his sixth goal of the season, giving the Greyhounds a two-goal cushion.
But Kapuskasing wasn’t going to go down without a fight. Theo Bourdon-Lemoyne pulled the Flyers back within one with his 16th goal of the season, making it a 4-3 game as the period came to a close.
The third period saw power plays and hat tricks with the intensity ramp up even further. On a power play, Fynn Mannttari scored his sixth goal of the season to tie the game 4-4 for Kapuskasing, as the Flyers capitalized on the extra man.
The back-and-forth continued, with McNabb putting the Flyers back in front on another power play, his eighth goal of the season giving Kapuskasing a 5-4 lead.
The Greyhounds responded in kind. Frankie Reda, from the blue line, scored his fourth goal of the season on a Soo power play, tying the game 5-5. The momentum was now firmly with the Greyhounds.
Adam Pszeniczny, who had already been a key contributor, put the Greyhounds back in the lead with his second goal of the game, making it 6-5. Then, with his sixth point of the game, Pszeniczny completed a spectacular hat trick, scoring an unassisted goal to give the Greyhounds a 7-5 lead and all but securing the win.
In the final moments, the Flyers penalty Shot and the Soo had a narrow escape with just a few minutes remaining, Kapuskasing was given a penalty shot, and Theo Bourdon-Lemoyne made the most of it, beating Carriere to pull the Flyers within one at 7-6. However, despite a furious push in the final seconds, the Flyers couldn’t find the equalizer, and the Soo Greyhounds held on for the 7-6 victory.
In their final game of their road trip, the Greyhounds hit the ice to take on the Timmins Majors in a fast-paced and thrilling contest, the Timmins Majors emerged victorious 5-4 over the Soo Greyhounds, handing the Greyhounds their first loss on their road trip. The game saw plenty of lead changes, clutch goals, and strong performances from both sides, with the Majors ultimately sealing the win with a late goal.
In the first period and in early action with a back-and-forth battle it didn’t take long for the Greyhounds to strike. Nathan Watts scored just under the first minute of play, finding the back of the net to give Soo a 1-0 lead with his ninth goal of the season.
However, the Majors quickly responded. Evan Kinetic scored his tenth of the season to tie the game 1-1, capitalizing on a chance in front of Soo goaltender Gavin Zuccato.
The action didn’t slow down. Jakob Drobny put Timmins ahead 2-1 with his 14th goal of the season, showing off his skill with a powerful shot. But the Greyhounds weren’t fazed. Jacob Vincent answered back for Soo, scoring his ninth of the season to knot the game 2-2 as the first period came to a close.
Heading into the second, the Majors took the lead and Greyhounds responding with the second period started with a quick strike from the Majors. Reid Lessard found the back of the net with his third goal of the season, giving Timmins a 3-2 lead early in the period.
With the Greyhounds facing a shorthanded situation, Adam Pszeniczny came through with a clutch play. Scoring unassisted, Pszeniczny found a way to tie the game 3-3, showcasing his ability to create opportunities even while down a man. His 22nd goal of the season kept the momentum swinging back and forth.
Nathan Watts then delivered again, netting his second of the game to put the Greyhounds up 4-3. The momentum seemed to be on the Greyhounds’ side, but the Majors had other plans.
Late drama and a Majors victory in the third saw Evan Katic leveled the score for Timmins, firing his second goal of the night to make it 4-4, ensuring that the game remained tied with just under 10 minutes to play.
With both teams pushing for the go-ahead goal, it was Kaddes Katapaytuk who ultimately emerged as the hero for the Majors. With under five minutes remaining, Katapaytuk scored the game-winning goal to give Timmins a 5-4 lead, sealing the victory for the hosts in dramatic fashion.
Next action for the Soo U16 Greyhounds will be on Wednesday, February 12th midweek clash to face the Soo U18 Greyhounds with a 5:00 p.m puck drop at the John Rhodes Centre.
Sunday, February 9 (1:30 p.m)
Soo Greyhounds (4) @ (5) Timmins Majors
1st Period
(0:52) Soo U16 Greyhounds – Nathan Watts (Adam Pszeniczny/Jacob Vincent)
(1:40) Timmins Majors – Evan Katic (Edan Etheridge)
(8:23) Timmins Majors – Jakob Drobny (Tyson Scott/Jordan McLeod) (PP)
(15:10) Soo U16 Greyhounds – Jacob Vincent (Frankie Reda)
2nd Period
(3:05) Timmins Majors – Reid Lessard (Malachi Gilpin)
(17:09) Soo U16 Greyhounds – Adam Pszeniczny (Unassisted) (SH)
(19:35) Soo U16 Greyhounds – Nathan Watts (Brett Archambault/Jacob Vincent)
3rd Period
(12:57) Timmins Majors – Evan Katic (Jakob Drobny/Teegan Bertrand)
(15:58) Timmins Majors – Kaddes Katapaytuk (Evan Katic)
Saturday, February 8 (7:30 p.m)
Soo Greyhounds (7) @ (5) Kapuskasing Flyers
1st Period
(4:49) Kapuskasing Flyers – Connor McNabb (Nico Lessard/Fynn Manttari) (PP)
(16:13) Kapuskasing Flyers – Gavin Garley (Braedon Estabrooks)
2nd Period
(1:01) Soo U16 Greyhounds – Nathan Watts (Nico Bossio/Adam Pszeniczny)
(1:10) Soo U16 Greyhounds – Nathan Watts (Jacob Vincent/Adam Pszeniczny)
(2:39) Soo U16 Greyhounds – Adam Pszeniczny (Jacob Vincent)
(4:43) Soo U16 Greyhounds – Finlay Carlson (Brett Archambault)
(10:11) Kapuskasing Flyers – Theo Bourdon-Lemoyne (Lex Lamontagne/William Fournier)
3rd Period
(4:03) Kapuskasing Flyers – Fynn Manttari (Lex Lamontagne/Connor McNabb) (PP)
(7:13) Kapuskasing Flyers – Connor McNabb (Lex Lamontagne/Fynn Manttari) (PP)
(13:27) Soo U16 Greyhounds – Frankie Reda (Adam Pszeniczny/Dreyon Boissoneau) (PP)
(15:35) Soo U16 Greyhounds – Adam Pszeniczny (Jacob Vincent)
(16:54) Soo U16 Greyhounds – Adam Pszeniczny (Unassisted)
(19:26) Kapuskasing Flyers – Theo Bourdon-Lemoyne (PS)
Friday, February 7 (8:00 p.m)
Soo U16 Greyhounds (6) @ (4) New Liskeard Cubs
1st Period
(15:27) Soo U16 Greyhounds – Finlay Carlson (Frankie Reda/Brett Archambault)
2nd Period
(0:36) New Liskeard Cubs – Maverick Hill (Jake Hey/Ethan Roy)
(15:50) New Liskeard Cubs – Thomas Rannou (Ryan Miller)
(19:40) New Liskeard Cubs – Cameron Olsen (Maverick Hill/Ethan Roy)
3rd Period
(9:32) Soo U16 Greyhounds – Finlay Escasa (Anthony Carbone/Jacob Vincent)
(12:42) Soo U16 Greyhounds – Nico Bossio (Andrew Aikens/Wyatt Jarratt)
(15:19) Soo U16 Greyhounds – Nico Bossio (Frankie Reda/Adam Pszeniczny)
(15:55) New Liskeard Cubs – Jake Hey (Maverick Hill)
(18:25) Soo U16 Greyhounds – Nathan Watts (Frankie Reda/Russell McNally)
(19:29) Soo U16 Greyhounds – Adam Pszeniczny (Russell McNally/Jacob Vincent) (EN)
About The Author
