SYDNEY, N.S. — Colin Rosta will never forget the feeling of winning the Panther Classic in front of family and friends at the Canada Games Complex last December.
“It was an incredible feeling,” said Rosta recalling the 2017 tournament, which saw the Panthers edge the Riverview Redmen 2-1 in overtime to capture the title.
“It was an exciting game and one I’m sure the players and fans won’t forget any time soon.”
Rosta and the Panthers will look to repeat as Panther Classic champions when the team takes to the ice for the annual tournament beginning Thursday at the Canada Games Complex on the Cape Breton University campus.
The Panthers will be joined in the tournament by local representatives the Riverview Redmen, Sydney Academy Wildcats and Memorial Marauders. Mainland teams include the Dr. J.H. Gillis Royals of Antigonish, CEC Cougars of Truro and Sackville Kingfishers.
Despite having a fairly young team this season, which includes only four returning players from last year, Rosta believes the team has the experience to win.
“We have some young guys, but the older players are stepping up and I think everyone is playing well,” said the 17-year-old graduating forward, who was named team captain earlier this season.
“We’re hosting provincials this year, so we’re really building towards that and this weekend is the first step really in our minds.”
Glace Bay and Riverview both enter the tournament as the top teams in the Cape Breton High School Hockey League, sitting in first and second place respectively.
Rosta leads the Panthers in points in the regular season with two goals and 11 assists for 13 points, followed closely by Matthew MacIntosh with five goals and 10 points.
The Panthers have appeared in two tournaments so far this season, claiming silver medals at both the Mae Kibyuk Memorial Green and Gold tournament in North Sydney and the Birthplace of Hockey tournament in Windsor, N.S.
Dwayne Doucet
“Our expectations are still high and I’m still positive that we’ll be there at the end of the tournament,” said Panthers head coach Dwayne Doucet.
“It would be nice to come away with a win here at the Panther Classic.”
Glace Bay will open the tournament tonight against Sydney Academy at 8 p.m. The team will also play a pair of games on Friday at 2 p.m. against CEC and 8 p.m. against Sackville.
The Panthers will finish the tournament round robin on Saturday at noon against Dr. J.H. Gillis.
“It’s going to be exciting and fast-pace hockey,” said Doucet. “We play all three teams from off-island, they’re new to us and we haven’t seen them play much this year, so it’s going to be exciting.”
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Winning the Panther Classic would be the highlight of the year for Rosta.
“It would be great to win two years in a row and put our mark on the school, something that people will always remember,” said the Birch Grove resident, noting the tournament will come with mixed emotions, knowing it’s his final Panther Classic.
“We’re going to be working hard for our school and our fans. Community support is key, and we hope fans will come out and support us in our quest for another Panther Classic win.”
The tournament semifinals are scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., while the championship contest is slated for 1 p.m. on Sunday.
2018 Panther Classic High School Hockey Tournament
Teams: Glace Bay Panthers, Riverview Redmen, Sydney Academy Wildcats, Memorial Marauders, Dr. J.H. Gillis Royals, CEC Cougars and Sackville Kingfishers
Thursday
6 p.m. – Riverview vs. Memorial
8 p.m. – Sydney Academy vs. Glace Bay
Friday
10 a.m. – Sydney Academy vs. Dr. J.H. Gillis
12 p.m. – Sackville vs. Riverview
2 p.m. – CEC vs. Glace Bay
4 p.m. – Memorial vs. Dr. J.H. Gillis
6 p.m. – Sydney Academy vs. CEC
8 p.m. – Glace Bay vs. Sackville
Saturday
10 a.m. – Memorial vs. Sackville
12 p.m. – Glace Bay vs. Dr. J.H. Gillis
2 p.m. – Riverview vs. CEC
6 p.m. – 1st place vs. 4th place
8 p.m. – 2nd place vs. 3rd place
Sunday
1 p.m. – Championship game
jeremy.fraser@cbpost.com
Twitter: @CBPost_Jeremy
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