This was the first time these two teams played in their school colours since the Nova Scotia Teacher’s Union work to rule job action was put in effect in early December.
Although this act threatened the season for many high school hockey players in Nova Scotia, their year was saved when Hockey Nova Scotia created the Nova Scotia Midget X Winter League. The league allowed high school teams to continue playing, but under different names and jerseys not affiliated to their schools. That’s where the Canning Clippers (NKEC) and Acadia Wildcats (CK) were formed and began to compete in the South Midget X Region of the league.
Comparing this hockey season with the past few, it’s definitely been a different experience, said Collin Duncan, head coach for the Titans and Clippers.
“It's been disappointing in the sense of having the stoppage for the students, whether they were athletes or anyone else doing extra-curriculars, but I think everyone can appreciate what all the volunteers do as well and all that school sports brings to the school with school pride and that’s why a lot of students take so much pride in the school,” Duncan said.
Even though the game was only an exhibition match, both teams played with a physical mentality and put their best effort in throughout the night. The Gators kicked things off by scoring their first and only two goals of the night in under two minutes, thanks to Patrick Howatt and Kohl Bates. The lead did not last long, as a goal by Bryce Dauphinee sparked the Titans to make a quick comeback, ending the first period in a tied game.
Neither team slacked off in the second, with the defensive play stepping up by both schools keeping the score the same. NKEC came out strong in the third with fantastic goaltending by Zach Mason and two great goals Matt Kaizer leading the Titans to a 5-2 victory over the Gators.
When asked after the game what it was like playing in a NKEC jersey again, Grade 11 Titan defenseman Will Norris replied, “It’s pretty good for me, but it's mostly for the grade twelves to come and get one more game.”
The teams will now return to playing under the Midget X for the remainder of the season.
This was the first time these two teams played in their school colours since the Nova Scotia Teacher’s Union work to rule job action was put in effect in early December.
Although this act threatened the season for many high school hockey players in Nova Scotia, their year was saved when Hockey Nova Scotia created the Nova Scotia Midget X Winter League. The league allowed high school teams to continue playing, but under different names and jerseys not affiliated to their schools. That’s where the Canning Clippers (NKEC) and Acadia Wildcats (CK) were formed and began to compete in the South Midget X Region of the league.
Comparing this hockey season with the past few, it’s definitely been a different experience, said Collin Duncan, head coach for the Titans and Clippers.
“It's been disappointing in the sense of having the stoppage for the students, whether they were athletes or anyone else doing extra-curriculars, but I think everyone can appreciate what all the volunteers do as well and all that school sports brings to the school with school pride and that’s why a lot of students take so much pride in the school,” Duncan said.
Even though the game was only an exhibition match, both teams played with a physical mentality and put their best effort in throughout the night. The Gators kicked things off by scoring their first and only two goals of the night in under two minutes, thanks to Patrick Howatt and Kohl Bates. The lead did not last long, as a goal by Bryce Dauphinee sparked the Titans to make a quick comeback, ending the first period in a tied game.
Neither team slacked off in the second, with the defensive play stepping up by both schools keeping the score the same. NKEC came out strong in the third with fantastic goaltending by Zach Mason and two great goals Matt Kaizer leading the Titans to a 5-2 victory over the Gators.
When asked after the game what it was like playing in a NKEC jersey again, Grade 11 Titan defenseman Will Norris replied, “It’s pretty good for me, but it's mostly for the grade twelves to come and get one more game.”
The teams will now return to playing under the Midget X for the remainder of the season.
