Junior Mohawks finding their footing
The U21 Junior Mohawks celebrate after picking up their first win of the year against the Soulanges Seigneurs on November 7, a 6-0 shutout with Maxwell Goodleaf in net. Courtesy U21 Kahnawake Mohawks
Hockey season is fully underway in Kahnawake, and that includes the return of the U21 Junior Kahnawake Mohawks for their second season.
Last year’s inaugural season for the Kahnawake Minor Hockey Association’s (KMHA) newest team was a pretty good one, finishing with a 15-8-1 record in the Lac St. Louis Junior B Hockey League, before falling in the playoffs to the Pierrefonds Barons.
A new year means a new league for the team, though, as they now play Junior C in the Greater Montreal Hockey League (LHGM), after some time determining the team’s placement.
“We started the year off struggling, as we were in a different level,” said goaltender Maxwell Goodleaf, who was also on the team last year.
Goodleaf is glad to be back playing Junior in Kahnawake for a second year.
“It feels great. I’m happy to be here and I’m really happy to see the team as it is,” said Goodleaf.
“Everyone is on ice two to three times a week, so no more rust.”
With the move from B to C, the team is still figuring some things out, but Goodleaf said there’s no reason they can’t have a good year again.
“Last year we didn’t have the experience, but we had the talent. Now we have both. As long as we mesh and learn to be one team, we’ve got a chance,” said Goodleaf.
“We struggled but learned all kinds of things. At the proper level, we’re still getting our feet wet when it comes to in-game experience, but we have more potential than anyone in the league.”
They have played five games so far in the LHGM, and although they only have a 1-4 record, there have been some bright spots, including from Goodleaf himself.
In their only win so far this season, Goodleaf did not let the Soulanges Seigneurs score once, posting a 6-0 shutout on November 7.
That game also saw a hat trick from Shakonikonhrawis Diabo and goals from Lexington Marquis, Iotseronties Marcus Diabo, and Tehorahkwaneken Albany.
The latter two were unavailable for their latest game against the Verdun Leafs, as was Deeland Martin. Marcus Diabo was suspended for one game for a high hit, Martin three games for fighting, and Albany sustained an injury during the game, which necessitated three callups.
While they played well, they sustained another loss, 8-4 to the Leafs.
Sign up for email updates from The Eastern Door
Goodleaf said that once the team starts gelling more, getting used to each other more on the ice, and staying out of the penalty box, things will fall into place.
“If we can do all that as a team, our goalies can handle everything else,” said Goodleaf, referring to the tandem of Cam White and himself.
The U21 Mohawks will get a chance to make up for their last loss in a rematch against Verdun on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the Kahnawake Sports Complex.
