(November 16-26, 2018) Before the Thanksgiving break, Northwood’s Junior Hockey Team traveled to Stanstead College in Quebec to play two games. This would begin a stretch of games that will test the team’s ability versus tough opposition. The first was against Upper Canada College. The game started off close with both goalies playing well. But after the first goal by Jerkko Ramo (Forward, 2019), a one-timer to make it 1-0, the Huskies took off. The final score ended up 7-0 for Northwood, with Ramo adding another to his tally, along with goals from Cody Monds (Forward, 2019), Josh Waters (Forward, 2019), John Biechler (Forward, 2019), Will Arquiett (Forward, 2019), and Stephen Panico (Forward, 2019).
Tommy Bannister celebrates a goal in recent Junior Team action. (Photo: Jim Stout, maxpreps)
The next day the team faced a well-respected prep hockey power in Kimball Union Academy. Right from the first drop of the puck, the game was fast and intense. Northwood took the lead in the first period with a tally from Daniel Colabufo (Forward, 2020). KUA came out in the second period with new energy and took a 2-1 lead going into the third period. The boys knew an early goal was needed, and that came from Waters to tie the game 2-2. KUA responded with a shorthanded goal, making the remaining few minutes tense. The Huskies kept their cool and an equalizer came from Reid Leibold (Forward, 2020), forcing the game into overtime. The first couple of minutes of OT saw chances for both teams but both Northwood’s goalie, Ryan Wilson (2019), and KUA’s goalie made crucial saves. But then Nate Boak (Defense, 2020) skated the puck in the zone and had the patience to hold on to it, he passed the puck down low to Will Arquiett (Forward, 2019) who found Josh who buried the winner. The boys all jumped on the ice and celebrated a huge win. This would send the boys into the Thanksgiving break on a high.
The team met in Massachusetts at the end of the break for a practice, the night before the Berkshire School Jamboree was to begin. The practice went well and the boys were feeling good going into two games on Monday. The first game was against Kent School who were expected to be a challenging opponent. But the Huskies were strong and took a 6-1 victory. With goals coming from Panico, Monds, Colabufo, and a hat-trick from Finlay Ulrick (Forward, 2019).
The second game of the day was against the host team, Berkshire. Northwood controlled play but could not find the back of the net in the early stages. When the first goal came, they did not stop. The Huskies ran away with a 6-0 victory with two goals from Arquiett, two from Tommy Bannister (Forward, 2020), one from Ulrick, and a final tally from Colabufo.
These wins put the team is on a 16-game win streak. They fly to Minnesota to face St Andrews, Cégep André-Laurendeau, and Nichols School on November 29. This will be another challenge for the team that will prove their worth among the best U18 teams across the nation. The Junior Team is ranked #3 in the nation. Follow them on Twitter.
