Kahnawake, Akwesasne meet in first round
Courtesy Kahnawake Junior C Hunters
After going into their first-ever playoff series last year as deep underdogs against the North Shore Kodiaks, the Kahnawake Junior C Hunters (7-9) have found themselves on the opposite end of the spectrum this time around as heavy favourites against the Akwesasne Lightning (3-13).
Hunters head coach Eric Jacobs said that it feels good to be in this kind of position when compared to last season.
“Everyone seems to have more confidence in the group, from ownership to the staff and the players themselves,” said Jacobs.
That confidence manifested itself in the first game of the series Wednesday night, which the Hunters won 14-5.
The Lightning actually scored the first two goals of the game, the first less than a minute into the opening period.
From then on, though, it was all Kahnawake. The Lightning did not score another goal until 13:31 of the third period - the Hunters scored 11 straight in the meantime.
Eight different Hunters netted at least one goal on Wednesday night: Tehorahkwaneken Albany (four), Tehoweroron Diabo (two), Sebastien Laughing (two), Dash Diabo (two), Wyatt Cross (one), Arahkwenhawe Two-Axe (one), Rahsontahawe Gabriel (one), and Noah Rahmer (one).
Leland Lahache made 24 saves on 29 shots.
The Hunters will have had the opportunity to finish off Akwesasne in their best-of-three series Thursday night at the Sports Complex, after The Eastern Door’s publishing deadline.
If needed, the third and final game of the series will be played on June 29, also at the Sports Complex.
To get through the rest of the playoffs, Jacobs said his team will need two things: to stay healthy, and to stay out of penalty trouble.
Injuries were a big factor the entire season for the Junior C squad, with multiple players missing stretches of the season at different times.
Jacobs said this contributed to their record, including a tough stretch in the back half of the season that saw them lose five games in a row.
Now that they have been healthier and getting players back into the lineup, the games to come will be more indicative of their strength as a team.
“I don’t feel our record indicates how good we are, and how good we can be,” said Jacobs.
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“When we played Nepean (June 14) and Cornwall (June 17), it was about the best our roster has been all year health-wise, and we beat those two teams. There’s a lot of confidence in there.”
Penalties have been the other focus for the coaching staff this year. There has been an improvement in that regard as the season has gone on, Jacobs said, and now the focus will be on having the players stay in control of their emotions.
“They’re the ones who are going to have to use their heads in a situation, a few minutes of pride versus a suspension or letting down everyone in the dressing room. What’s more important?” said Jacobs.
Whoever wins between Kahnawake and Akwesasne will move on to a best-of-five semifinal against the Nepean Knights, who received a first-round bye.
