YARMOUTH, N.S. — The Central Kings Gators wore their season’s new jerseys in their photo celebrating their NSSAF Division 2 western regionals championship win in Yarmouth.
The Gators hope to have the chance for another championship team photo when provincials are held this weekend in Kingston. Of course, hoping to prevent that photo opportunity from happening will be seven other teams.
Division 2 high school hockey provincials are being hosted by West Kings in Kingston March 8-10. The regionals that were held in Yarmouth last weekend saw six teams vying for the NSSAF western regionals banner with five of those teams (West Kings didn’t count since they are hosting provincials) looking for the chance to advance to provincials.
At the conclusion of the regionals two other teams still had a chance to advance to provincials. The Barrington Barons lost to Central Kings 2-0 in the championship game but were to play a qualifier game against Dalbrae on March 5 in Brookfield. UPDATE: Barrington won that game 8-1 and will now compete at provincials.
The Par-en-Bas (PEB) Sharks finished third in regionals, defeating NKEC 5-2 for the chance to move onto a challenge/qualifier game. Their opponent was to be East Hants, in East Hants, on March 5. UPDATE: PEB won that game 4-2 and will now compete at provincials.
Here is a recap from the D2 regionals:
• PEB 4 – Yarmouth 3
Yarmouth led 3-1 after 2 periods. PEB scored 2 goals to tie it in the final 3 minutes and scored the winning goal with 4.3 seconds left in the game. PEB goals: Miguel d’Eon, Hayden Young (2) and Zach D’Arcy. Yarmouth goals: Nolan MacDonald (2) and Isaac Moore.
• Barrington 4 – West Kings 2
Barrington goals: Jude Greenwood, Justin Smith (2), Noah Smith. West Kings goals: Ben Foley, Cole Peters.
• Central Kings 3 – PEB 2
CK goals: Braden Cotton, Jarrett Phinney, Jake Whiston. PEB goals: Miguel d’Eon, Ethan Doucette.
• NKEC 1 – West Kings
The lone goal of the game scored by NKEC’s Bryce Dauphinee.
• Central Kings 7 vs Yarmouth 2
Central Kings goals: Gavin Howard (2), Colton Balsor, Jake Whiston, Jarrett Phinney, Kohl Bates and Cameron Crooks. Yarmouth goals: Isaac Moore, Nolan MacDonald.
• Barrington 6 – NKEC 4
Barrington pulled ahead 4-3 with around 8 seconds left in 2nd period and extended their lead to 5-3 in the third on an unassisted breakaway. NKEC closed the gap to 5-4 with 5:12 to go but played the final minutes shorthanded due to penalties. Barrington got the insurance marker with 1:20 left on another breakaway for the 6-4 win. Barrington goals: Nolan Atwood, Jagger Kane, Shane Wyatt, Derek McCarthy, Jude Greenwood, Tanner Bateman. NKEC goals: Jensen Jodrey, Bryce Dauphinee and Cole Phillips (2).
NKEC 4 – Yarmouth 0
NKEC goals: John Van Luxemborg (2), Cole Phillips (2).
PEB 4 – West Kings 3 (OT)
PEB had led the game 3-0 going into the third period. West Kings scored three unanswered goals, with its last goal scored with 50.8 seconds left. PEB scored 1:04 into overtime. PEB goals: Andre d’Entremont (2), Miguel d’Entremont (2). West Kings goals: Ben Foley, Dexter Newell, Mason Sawler.
Championship game: Central Kings 2 – Barrington 0
CK’s goals: Sam Martin, Cameron Crooks. Cameron Gould was in net for the shutout.
Last provincial qualifier spot: PEB 5 – NKEC 2
PEB had a 3-0 lead going into the third. NKEC closed the gap to 3-2. PEB later made it 4-2 and then scored on the empty net. PEB goals: Miguel d’Eon (3), Rylan d’Entremont, Yanick Cottreau. NKEC goals: John Van Luxemborg, Cole Phillips.
