Minor hockey in playoff action
The U11A Mohawks celebrate on the bench after defeating the MRO Diables 3-2 in a shootout on Tuesday night. Courtesy Kaniehtakeron Gilbert
The U11A Kahnawake Mohawks won their first playoff game, by way of the shootout, taking down the MRO Diables 3-2 on Tuesday night.
The Mohawks found themselves down a goal partway through the second period, but they buckled down and tied the contest to send the game to overtime.
“The team overall didn’t quit,” said Mackenzie Kirby, the U11A Mohawks’ head coach.
That’s been the mantra of the season: don’t quit and do your best, with an emphasis on developing skills on and off the ice - including life skills, like determination.
“I think that has translated into that game,” said Kirby.
“It’s easy to feel like you’re down and out and want to quit, and just maybe be a little bit more frustrated and give up on the game. But our players didn’t stop. We were able to push to overtime by scoring late in the game.”
The three-on-three overtime did not produce a winner, so they went to the shootout, where Jack White scored and Masen McGregor-Brown denied MRO to seal the deal for Kahnawake.
Kirby said they do shootouts “once in a blue moon” in practice.
“The goal is to close out games in regulation,” said Kirby.
They will try to do so in their next playoff game Saturday against the Verdun Leafs, who have beaten the Mohawks twice in regular season play. The game will be played at 5:30 p.m. at Raymond-Bourque Arena.
Even if they lose to the Leafs, their playoffs are a double-elimination system, meaning they are guaranteed at least one more game no matter the result.
Other results and schedule
Many other Kahnawake Minor Hockey Association teams are starting their playoff action this week.
The U11B Mohawks play their first playoff game on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Westmount Recreation Centre Arena against the MRO Diables.
The U11C Mohawks and Blackhawks faced each other in their first playoff game on Tuesday night, with the Blackhawks winning 6-0. The Blackhawks will play the Verdun Coyotes on Saturday at noon at Denis Savard Arena, while the Mohawks will play an as-of-yet undetermined opponent on Sunday at 10 a.m. at Denis Savard Arena.
The U13B Mohawks lost their opening playoff contest on Monday night against the MRO Diables 5-2. Their next playoff game is on March 16 at 7 p.m. at Samuel Moskovitch Arena against an undetermined opponent.
The U13C Mohawks played their first playoff game against the Cote St. Luc Canucks on Thursday night, after The Eastern Door’s publishing deadline.
The U15A Mohawks play their first playoff game on Saturday at 7 p.m. against the LaSalle Lions at Pete Morin Arena.
The U15C Mohawks will play their first playoff game on Saturday at 3 p.m. against the Lachine Castors at the Kahnawake Sports Complex.
The U18A Mohawks will have played their first playoff game on Thursday, after The Eastern Door’s publishing deadline, against the St. Laurent Spartans.
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The U18B Mohawks play their first playoff game at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday against the Westmount Wings at Lower Canada College.
The U21 Junior Mohawks lost their opening playoff contest 3-2 to the Huntingdon Huskies. Their next playoff game is against the Hudson-Rigaud-St. Lazare Hawks on Sunday at 7 p.m. at Huntingdon Regional Arena.
