Riley Crane of the Sydney Academy Wildcats, right, breaks to the net as he’s challenged by Kody Hatcher of the Memorial Marauders during Blue and White Contractor Cup action at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre on Thursday. Memorial won the game 6-3. JEREMY FRASER/CAPE BRETON POST.
SYDNEY, N.S. - The host Sydney Academy Wildcats opened the annual Blue and White Contractor Cup with a loss on Thursday night.
The Wildcats were doubled 6-3 by the Memorial Marauders at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre.
Lucas Gracie and Daniel Young scored twice, while Sam Gracie, and James Jobes added single markers for the Marauders.
Brayden Tubrett, Keagan Corbett and Kenzie Carew replied with goals for the Wildcats.
Memorial's Jack MacPhee made 28 saves. Sydney Academy's Dylan Lesnick stopped 28 of 34 shots.
Here is the remainder of the schedule for the tournament:
Friday: • 10 a.m. - Glace Bay vs. Riverview • 1 p.m. - CEC vs. Memorial • 2:30 p.m. - Riverview vs. Hants East • 2:30 p.m. - Sydney Academy vs. Glace Bay • 6 p.m. - Central Kings vs. CEC • 7:30 p.m. - Sydney Academy vs. Hants East
Saturday • 8 a.m. - Riverview vs. Central Kings • 9:30 a.m. - Memorial vs. Hants East • 11 a.m. - Glace Bay vs. CEC • 12:30 p.m. - Sydney Academy vs. Central Kings • 5 p.m. – Semifinal No. 1 • 5 p.m. – Semifinal No. 2
Riley Crane of the Sydney Academy Wildcats fires a shot on goal during Cape Breton High School Hockey League action at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre earlier this season. Crane and the Wildcats will host the Blue and White Contractor Cup in Membertou this week. JEREMY FRASER/CAPE BRETON POST
SYDNEY – Adjusting to a new league can sometimes be difficult for players but for Riley Crane, he’s felt right at home with the Sydney Academy Wildcats.
After playing two seasons with the Sydney Mitsubishi Rush of the Nova Scotia Under-18 Major Hockey League and having an opportunity to play in the Telus Cup last May in Alberta, Crane made the difficult decision to not play his final year with the team.
After attending several tournaments and consistent travel on the weekends with the Rush, Crane ultimately decided to focus on his academic career while also representing his school on the ice.
“I feel like I made the right call and I’m happy with where I am when it comes to hockey,” said Crane. “I think it was a good decision for me and I’m enjoying my time with the hockey program.”
About
Hosted by Sydney Academy Wildcats
Location: Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre
Teams: Sydney Academy Wildcats, Glace Bay Panthers, Riverview Ravens, Memorial Marauders, Cobequid Educational Centre Cougars, Central Kings Gators, Hants East Tigers
For the first time in two years, Crane and his Wildcats teammates will have the opportunity to host the school’s annual Blue and White Contractor Cup high school hockey tournament this week.
The seven-team tournament, which was canceled in 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will take place at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre and kick off Thursday with the host Wildcats taking on the Memorial Marauders at 7:30 p.m.
Sydney Academy will enter the tournament looking to redeem themselves after a tough weekend on the road at the City of Lakes tournament in Dartmouth, which saw the club suffer lopsided losses, scoring only one goal in three games.
Despite the difficult tournament, Crane said there were positives to take away from the games.
“We had some tough teams up there but there were some things that we did well in those games and that’s what we’re focusing on going into the Blue and White,” said Crane.
Riley Crane of the Sydney Academy Wildcats watches the play closely during Cape Breton High School Hockey League action at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre earlier this season. Crane leads the Wildcats in points and is ranked 10th in league scoring. JEREMY FRASER/CAPE BRETON POST - Jeremy Fraser
Wildcats assistant coach Justin Lund said the team has been battling illness and suspensions in recent weeks but expects the majority of the club’s players to be back in the lineup for the tournament.
“Most of the suspensions are all cleared up and now the team has to come out, work hard and they have to want to win it,” he said. “We’re not really out talented by any of the teams in the tournament, so I think it’s going to come down to the team that works the hardest.”
Joining Sydney Academy and Memorial in the tournament will be the Glace Bay Panthers, Riverview Ravens, Cobequid Educational Centre Cougars of Truro, Central Kings Gators of Cambridge, N.S., and Hants East Tigers on Milford, N.S.
In Cape Breton High School Hockey League play, Sydney Academy has a 1-13-1-0 record. While the record doesn’t necessarily speak for how competitive the team has been this season, Crane hopes the club will use the tournament as momentum going into the playoffs.
“It’s a good opportunity for us to use this as a turning point in our season,” said Crane. “We can get some motivation out of it and show that we can play with some of the best teams in the province and it will only help our confidence as well.”
Schedule
Thursday • 7:30 p.m. - Memorial vs. Sydney Academy
Friday • 10 a.m. - Glace Bay vs. Riverview • 1 p.m. - CEC vs. Memorial • 2:30 p.m. - Riverview vs. Hants East • 2:30 p.m. - Sydney Academy vs. Glace Bay • 6 p.m. - Central Kings vs. CEC • 7:30 p.m. - Sydney Academy vs. Hants East
Saturday • 8 a.m. - Riverview vs. Central Kings • 9:30 a.m. - Memorial vs. Hants East • 11 a.m. - Glace Bay vs. CEC • 12:30 p.m. - Sydney Academy vs. Central Kings • 5 p.m. – Semifinal No. 1 • 5 p.m. – Semifinal No. 2
Sunday • 12 p.m. – Championship
Lund believes there were a couple of games in the first half of the season where the Wildcats deserved to win, but the club’s work ethic will determine their outcome in the tournament.
“The first game against Memorial is very important for us,” said Lund. “We’ve had some back-and-forth games with them and getting that first win on opening night will be key.”
Memorial leads the regular season series with Sydney Academy 4-1.
Crane, who leads the team in points with six goals and 13 points in 12 games, said the contest with the Marauders will set the club’s mood for the tournament early.
“Memorial is a hard-working team and we have to show up and give it our best,” he said. “At the end of the three periods, if we work hard enough I think we will have the outcome that we’re looking for.”
Crane isn’t the only offensive player for the Wildcats. In fact, linemates Kent Wolodka and Kenzie Carew have had strong starts to the season as well. Wolodka has five goals and 10 points in 13 games, while Carew has five goals and eight points in 14 games.
Following Thursday night’s contest, Sydney Academy will play a pair of games on Friday against Glace Bay at 2:30 p.m. and Hants East at 7:30 p.m. The team finishes the round robin on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. against Central Kings.
Both semifinal games will be played at 5 p.m. on Saturday, while the championship game is slated to take place on Sunday at 12 p.m.
SYDNEY — Curtis Fogarty’s overtime goal gave the Riverview Ravens a 4-3 victory over the Sydney Academy Wildcats in Cape Breton High School Hockey League play on Tuesday in Membertou.
Graham Rector scored twice for the winning team, while Shamus Lahey tallied once.
Harrison Huett, Ty Axworthy and Logan Bates scored for Sydney Academy.
In goal, Ryan MacDonald picked up the win for Riverview and Brody Campbell was credited with the loss.
NORTH SYDNEY — Memorial Marauders jumped out to a 4-0 first period lead and cruised to a 7-2 victory over Sydney Academy in Cape Breton High School Hockey League play on Thursday.
Lucas Gracie scored twice for the Marauders and singles were added by Kody Hatcher, Brayden MacDonald, Sam Gracie, Jesse Ross and Daniel Young. James Jobes had three assists for the winning side in the game played at Emera Centre Northside.
Academy goals came from Harrison Huett and Ty Axworthy. James Eddy set up both goals.
Jack MacPhee tended goal for Memorial and Dylan Lesnick for Sydney Academy.
GLACE BAY, N.S. - The Glace Bay Panthers and Riverview Ravens claimed victories in Cape Breton High School Hockey League action at the Miners Forum in Glace Bay.
On Sunday, the Panthers downed the Sydney Academy Wildcats 5-2.
Dylin White scored three times, while Parker Hutchings and Landon MacIsaac chipped in with goals for the Panthers.
Kent Wolodka scored both goals for the Wildcats.
Glace Bay's Kristian MacKenzie made 18 saves. Sydney Academy's Brody Campbell stopped 36 of 41 shots.
On Saturday, the Ravens edged the Panthers 5-4.
Gahan Rector and Josh Novak both scored twice, while Luc Sampson chipped in with a single marker for Riverview.
Kale MacDonald, Brady Matheson, Lachlan Pilling, and Tyson Boland replied with goals for the Panthers.
Riverview's Ryan MacDonald made 23 saves. Glace Bay's Brandon Cole turned aside 19 of 24 shots.
COXHEATH, N.S. - Royce Balcom's hat trick helped lead the Riverview Ravens to a 5-1 victory over the Sydney Academy Wildcats in Cape Breton High School Hockey League action at the Cape Breton County Recreation Centre in Coxheath on Friday.
Balcom scored once in the second period, before firing home two in the third period to complete the hat trick.
Keigan Geizer and Ryan Beaton also added goals for the Ravens.
Harrison Huet had the lone goal for the Wildcats.
Riverview's Andrew Burke made 17 saves. Sydney Academy's Dylan Lesnick stopped 32 of 37 shots.
Riley Crane of the Sydney Academy Wildcats, right, breaks to the net as he’s challenged by Kody Hatcher of the Memorial Marauders during Blue and White Contractor Cup action at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre on Thursday. Memorial won the game 6-3. JEREMY FRASER/CAPE BRETON POST.
SYDNEY, N.S. - The host Sydney Academy Wildcats opened the annual Blue and White Contractor Cup with a loss on Thursday night.
The Wildcats were doubled 6-3 by the Memorial Marauders at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre.
Lucas Gracie and Daniel Young scored twice, while Sam Gracie, and James Jobes added single markers for the Marauders.
Brayden Tubrett, Keagan Corbett and Kenzie Carew replied with goals for the Wildcats.
Memorial's Jack MacPhee made 28 saves. Sydney Academy's Dylan Lesnick stopped 28 of 34 shots.
Here is the remainder of the schedule for the tournament:
Friday: • 10 a.m. - Glace Bay vs. Riverview • 1 p.m. - CEC vs. Memorial • 2:30 p.m. - Riverview vs. Hants East • 2:30 p.m. - Sydney Academy vs. Glace Bay • 6 p.m. - Central Kings vs. CEC • 7:30 p.m. - Sydney Academy vs. Hants East
Saturday • 8 a.m. - Riverview vs. Central Kings • 9:30 a.m. - Memorial vs. Hants East • 11 a.m. - Glace Bay vs. CEC • 12:30 p.m. - Sydney Academy vs. Central Kings • 5 p.m. – Semifinal No. 1 • 5 p.m. – Semifinal No. 2
Riley Crane of the Sydney Academy Wildcats fires a shot on goal during Cape Breton High School Hockey League action at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre earlier this season. Crane and the Wildcats will host the Blue and White Contractor Cup in Membertou this week. JEREMY FRASER/CAPE BRETON POST
SYDNEY – Adjusting to a new league can sometimes be difficult for players but for Riley Crane, he’s felt right at home with the Sydney Academy Wildcats.
After playing two seasons with the Sydney Mitsubishi Rush of the Nova Scotia Under-18 Major Hockey League and having an opportunity to play in the Telus Cup last May in Alberta, Crane made the difficult decision to not play his final year with the team.
After attending several tournaments and consistent travel on the weekends with the Rush, Crane ultimately decided to focus on his academic career while also representing his school on the ice.
“I feel like I made the right call and I’m happy with where I am when it comes to hockey,” said Crane. “I think it was a good decision for me and I’m enjoying my time with the hockey program.”
About
Hosted by Sydney Academy Wildcats
Location: Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre
Teams: Sydney Academy Wildcats, Glace Bay Panthers, Riverview Ravens, Memorial Marauders, Cobequid Educational Centre Cougars, Central Kings Gators, Hants East Tigers
For the first time in two years, Crane and his Wildcats teammates will have the opportunity to host the school’s annual Blue and White Contractor Cup high school hockey tournament this week.
The seven-team tournament, which was canceled in 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, will take place at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre and kick off Thursday with the host Wildcats taking on the Memorial Marauders at 7:30 p.m.
Sydney Academy will enter the tournament looking to redeem themselves after a tough weekend on the road at the City of Lakes tournament in Dartmouth, which saw the club suffer lopsided losses, scoring only one goal in three games.
Despite the difficult tournament, Crane said there were positives to take away from the games.
“We had some tough teams up there but there were some things that we did well in those games and that’s what we’re focusing on going into the Blue and White,” said Crane.
Riley Crane of the Sydney Academy Wildcats watches the play closely during Cape Breton High School Hockey League action at the Membertou Sport and Wellness Centre earlier this season. Crane leads the Wildcats in points and is ranked 10th in league scoring. JEREMY FRASER/CAPE BRETON POST - Jeremy Fraser
Wildcats assistant coach Justin Lund said the team has been battling illness and suspensions in recent weeks but expects the majority of the club’s players to be back in the lineup for the tournament.
“Most of the suspensions are all cleared up and now the team has to come out, work hard and they have to want to win it,” he said. “We’re not really out talented by any of the teams in the tournament, so I think it’s going to come down to the team that works the hardest.”
Joining Sydney Academy and Memorial in the tournament will be the Glace Bay Panthers, Riverview Ravens, Cobequid Educational Centre Cougars of Truro, Central Kings Gators of Cambridge, N.S., and Hants East Tigers on Milford, N.S.
In Cape Breton High School Hockey League play, Sydney Academy has a 1-13-1-0 record. While the record doesn’t necessarily speak for how competitive the team has been this season, Crane hopes the club will use the tournament as momentum going into the playoffs.
“It’s a good opportunity for us to use this as a turning point in our season,” said Crane. “We can get some motivation out of it and show that we can play with some of the best teams in the province and it will only help our confidence as well.”
Schedule
Thursday • 7:30 p.m. - Memorial vs. Sydney Academy
Friday • 10 a.m. - Glace Bay vs. Riverview • 1 p.m. - CEC vs. Memorial • 2:30 p.m. - Riverview vs. Hants East • 2:30 p.m. - Sydney Academy vs. Glace Bay • 6 p.m. - Central Kings vs. CEC • 7:30 p.m. - Sydney Academy vs. Hants East
Saturday • 8 a.m. - Riverview vs. Central Kings • 9:30 a.m. - Memorial vs. Hants East • 11 a.m. - Glace Bay vs. CEC • 12:30 p.m. - Sydney Academy vs. Central Kings • 5 p.m. – Semifinal No. 1 • 5 p.m. – Semifinal No. 2
Sunday • 12 p.m. – Championship
Lund believes there were a couple of games in the first half of the season where the Wildcats deserved to win, but the club’s work ethic will determine their outcome in the tournament.
“The first game against Memorial is very important for us,” said Lund. “We’ve had some back-and-forth games with them and getting that first win on opening night will be key.”
Memorial leads the regular season series with Sydney Academy 4-1.
Crane, who leads the team in points with six goals and 13 points in 12 games, said the contest with the Marauders will set the club’s mood for the tournament early.
“Memorial is a hard-working team and we have to show up and give it our best,” he said. “At the end of the three periods, if we work hard enough I think we will have the outcome that we’re looking for.”
Crane isn’t the only offensive player for the Wildcats. In fact, linemates Kent Wolodka and Kenzie Carew have had strong starts to the season as well. Wolodka has five goals and 10 points in 13 games, while Carew has five goals and eight points in 14 games.
Following Thursday night’s contest, Sydney Academy will play a pair of games on Friday against Glace Bay at 2:30 p.m. and Hants East at 7:30 p.m. The team finishes the round robin on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. against Central Kings.
Both semifinal games will be played at 5 p.m. on Saturday, while the championship game is slated to take place on Sunday at 12 p.m.
SYDNEY — Curtis Fogarty’s overtime goal gave the Riverview Ravens a 4-3 victory over the Sydney Academy Wildcats in Cape Breton High School Hockey League play on Tuesday in Membertou.
Graham Rector scored twice for the winning team, while Shamus Lahey tallied once.
Harrison Huett, Ty Axworthy and Logan Bates scored for Sydney Academy.
In goal, Ryan MacDonald picked up the win for Riverview and Brody Campbell was credited with the loss.
NORTH SYDNEY — Memorial Marauders jumped out to a 4-0 first period lead and cruised to a 7-2 victory over Sydney Academy in Cape Breton High School Hockey League play on Thursday.
Lucas Gracie scored twice for the Marauders and singles were added by Kody Hatcher, Brayden MacDonald, Sam Gracie, Jesse Ross and Daniel Young. James Jobes had three assists for the winning side in the game played at Emera Centre Northside.
Academy goals came from Harrison Huett and Ty Axworthy. James Eddy set up both goals.
Jack MacPhee tended goal for Memorial and Dylan Lesnick for Sydney Academy.
GLACE BAY, N.S. - The Glace Bay Panthers and Riverview Ravens claimed victories in Cape Breton High School Hockey League action at the Miners Forum in Glace Bay.
On Sunday, the Panthers downed the Sydney Academy Wildcats 5-2.
Dylin White scored three times, while Parker Hutchings and Landon MacIsaac chipped in with goals for the Panthers.
Kent Wolodka scored both goals for the Wildcats.
Glace Bay's Kristian MacKenzie made 18 saves. Sydney Academy's Brody Campbell stopped 36 of 41 shots.
On Saturday, the Ravens edged the Panthers 5-4.
Gahan Rector and Josh Novak both scored twice, while Luc Sampson chipped in with a single marker for Riverview.
Kale MacDonald, Brady Matheson, Lachlan Pilling, and Tyson Boland replied with goals for the Panthers.
Riverview's Ryan MacDonald made 23 saves. Glace Bay's Brandon Cole turned aside 19 of 24 shots.
COXHEATH, N.S. - Royce Balcom's hat trick helped lead the Riverview Ravens to a 5-1 victory over the Sydney Academy Wildcats in Cape Breton High School Hockey League action at the Cape Breton County Recreation Centre in Coxheath on Friday.
Balcom scored once in the second period, before firing home two in the third period to complete the hat trick.
Keigan Geizer and Ryan Beaton also added goals for the Ravens.
Harrison Huet had the lone goal for the Wildcats.
Riverview's Andrew Burke made 17 saves. Sydney Academy's Dylan Lesnick stopped 32 of 37 shots.
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