Yellowhead Chiefs conquer the north

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Published on Thursday, December 8, 2016

File photo

By Eoin Devereux

The Neepawa Banner/Neepawa Press

The Yellowhead AAA Midget Chiefs have returned from northern Manitoba with a pair of important road victories against the Norman Northstars. The first game was on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the C.A. Nesbitt Arena and started with a Jacob Tibbatts goal 12:08 into the first period. Just under two minutes later, Josh Belcher added to Yellowhead’s lead with his fifth goal of the season, making it 2-0 after 20 minutes of play.

Parker Johnson added Yellowhead’s third goal in the middle frame on an even strength effort. Then Tibbatts scored his second of the night, providing Yellowhead with the 4-0 lead heading into the final 20 minutes of regulation. Eric Lemoine made it 5-0 early in the third, while Charles Monger spoiled the shutout bid of Yellowhead goaltender Reese Jones, late in the game, making the final score 5-1 for the Chiefs. Jones made 42 saves on the evening, while Norman’s Allan Kohli made 45 saves for the Northstars in the loss.

For the second game on Sunday, Dec. 4, it turned into an offensive shootout with Yellowhead outlasting Norman by the score of 7-5.

Monger opened up the scoring for the Northstars just 2:12 into the opening period. That lead lasted for just 10 minutes, as Mackenzie Belinski put away his 11th goal of the season, with a backhander. Yellowhead followed quickly with goals from Jacob Tibbatts and Cole Muir to give the Chiefs the 3-1 cushion.

Yellowhead’s lead would expand in the second, with Jaxon Heeney beating Kohli less than two minutes into the period. Noah Geekie followed up by putting the puck into the net to make it 5-1 at the mid-point of the game. Penalty problems would end up costing the Chiefs before the end of the second, however, as forward Albert Berard scored two power-play goals, to make it a 5-3 score after 40 minutes.

The Northstars looked as though they’d make it a game when Henry Muchikekwanape scored less than 90 seconds into the third period, making it 5-4. Yellowhead answered back quickly though, with a pair of goals just over a minute later. Cole Muir and Noah Geekie notched those markers. While Berard would complete the hat trick for Norman with just 6:37 left to play, it wouldn’t be enough, as Yellowhead left the ice with the 7-5 win.

Jeremy Dutcawich made 23 saves for the Chiefs for the win, while Muir had a huge day with four points (two goals - two assists). These recent wins elevate the Chiefs (16-4-2) into a tie for first place in the league, with the Winnipeg Wild (17-3-0).  The Chiefs return to the ice at home on Saturday, Dec. 10, when they take on the Central Plains Capitals. Then on Sunday, Dec. 11, Yellowhead will challenge the Interlake Lightning. 

Belinski wins monthly award

The Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League is pleased to announce that Mackenzie Belinski of the Yellowhead Chiefs is the Motel Six Forward of the Month for November.

In 10 games for the Chiefs, Belinski netted six goals and added nine assists, helping the Chiefs maintain second place in the league standings. Highlighting Belinski’s month was a six point effort versus the league leading Winnipeg Wild.  Mack is in his second season with the Chiefs and currently second in team scoring (10 goals - 15 assists).  Honourable mentions include Cade Kowalski of Pembina Valley, Duncan Pierce of the Winnipeg Thrashers and the Brandon AAA Wheat Kings’ Lynden McCallum 

Defensive Award

Curtis Ireland of the Brandon AAA Wheat Kings is the Chicken Chef Defenseman of the Month for November. In nine games for the Wheat Kings, Ireland amassed two goals and six assists. He now has two goals and 15 assist on the season and sits fourth on his team in scoring. Ireland is in his second year with the Wheat Kings and property of the Everett Silvertips. Honourable mentions this month include Winnipeg’s Carson Tiede and Yellowhead’s Chad Nychuk

Goaltender Award

The Manitoba AAA Midget Hockey League has announced that Zachary Bennett of the Winnipeg Thrashers is the CCM Goaltender of the Month for November. Bennett appeared in five games in November and had a 4-1-0 record. His .975 save percentage, 1.24 goals against average and two shutouts helped earn him the honour.  Bennett is in his second season with the Thrashers and has a 8-3-0-1 record with a .950 sv% and 1.58 GAA. Honourable mention were Adam Swan of Interlake and Max Paddock of Brandon.