Author: Nathan Pascoe
West
Nipissing- Saturday, March 1, 2025- The U13A Ultimate Sales Sting wrapped up
their regular season with a loss to the number 1 team, the U12A Vipers.
Although it was a loss, it was still a
really positive game for the Sting as they did not let a deficit shut them
down. The game started with both teams skating hard, but it was the Vipers who
poured shot after shot onto goaltender Lawson Restoule. It looked like Restoule
would get them out of the period unscathed, but the Vipers would score short
handed. Marshall Brooks (Silverthorn) would get the only goal of the period.
Penalties in the period came to Bruno Lafond (interference), Kazz
Renaud-Paquette (tripping), and Jaxen Beauparlant (tripping). Vipers penalties
came to Owen Wood (interference) and Carter Nodwell (hooking).
The
second period was a tough one for the Sting as they would give up three goals.
The first was to Wolf White (Peck), the second to Sam Kozmick (Marshall) and
the third was to Blythe Porter (Paquette). Although the Sting let in three, if
it wasn’t for the great play of Restoule the game would have been even more out
of control. As the dust settled on the second the Sting skated to the bench
with one message from the coaches. Win the third.
The
players heard the message, and they responded by skating hard, and winning the
puck battles in the third. Captain, Kazz Renaud-Paquette got things started for
the Sting as he jumped on a Viper error and wired it home to end the regular
season with 22 goals. 2 minutes later, Michael Fox would add a short handed
goal to make it close for the Sting. Just as the momentum was swinging towards
the Sting, they Vipers’ Blythe Porter would score to make it 5-2. Even though
the Sting lost the game, they won the third, and instead of shutting down as
they would have at the start of the year, they showed resiliency and
determination to end the year on a high note. Congratulations goes out to all
the players and coaches for their hard work this season.