On an afternoon where Snowbird Captain Jennifer Casey was the main focus, the team wearing her name on their backs did not disappoint. The Trenton Golden Hawks changed their name to honour the Halifax native, who called Trenton home for six years. The 35-year-old died this May when the plane she and Captain Richard McDougall were in, crashed in British Columbia during “Operation Inspiration”.
On Friday afternoon, political and military dignitaries were on hand to drop the puck, while Casey’s family and some very special guests paid tribute via video. Well wishes came in from Gord Sinclair, and Paul Langois from The Tragically Hip and Prince Edward County’s Miss Emily (Emily Fennell Taylor) worked together to perform a campfire version of “Wheat Kings”. Lt-Col Denis Bandet (Moose Jaw Commander of the Snowbirds), International Space Station Commander Chris Hadfield, Premier Doug Ford, Federal Opposition Leader Erin O’Toole, Captain Casey’s stepfather Rob Tough, father Jean Pierre Thimot and boyfriend Scott Boyd thanked the teams for the game, and shared stories of “Jenn”.
Veterans (Ret) Master Corporal Ryan Isbister and (Ret) Warrant Officer Daryl Watters came onto the ice with the Highway of Heroes Mobile Memorial for the official puck drop. After the pomp and circumstance, and celebration of Captain Casey, there still was a game to play. It was Game 7 of the Hasty Ps Cup (presented by Trent Valley Distributors). With a win Wellington would claim the inaugural edition of the trophy.
The Snowbirds came out inspired, firing 16 of the first 20 shots on goal and took a 1-0 lead. Wyatt George put it home, after a furious battle in front of Ethan Morrow. Assists went to Jaxen Boyer, and Julien Jacob. Wellington Coach Derek Smith called a time out and calmed the troops. The period remained 1-0, with the shots 19-9 in favour of the Snowbirds.
In the second period, penalties cost Wellington. Trenton would score twice on the power play. Kyle Robinson took a shot from the line that trickled past Morrow at 5:56, with assists going to Griffen Fox and Dalton Bancroft. About seven minutes later, Griffen Fox would take an off-wing pass from Robinson, and hammer it home, with an assist also going to Jacob Campbell. Shots were ten apiece in the middle frame.
It was 3-0 after 40, and it would remain that way for the completion of the contest and tying the series at seven points apiece. Both the Dukes and G-Hawks have two wins and three ties apiece.
Trenton Coach Peter Goulet says, “The last two games have been start to finish. Guys have done a great job; they have bought into what we are doing. You can see things improving every game. This is not over, however. No one won anything here today, so we have to keep our feet on the ground, we have to be ready to go next Wednesday. Derek (Smith) is going to have his team ready and we must prepare. A final game is really what it should come down to with these two teams.”
Wellington Coach Derek Smith said, “Going into the final game all tied up is where I thought this would be. This is going to be fun. That being said, this afternoon I do not think we had our best effort, but we are going to learn from it, and we are looking forward to game eight.” He added, “One positive thing I have seen in the last two games is the great goaltending both teams have had. Shiller and Morrow have played great for us. Ranger has been strong for Trenton. We need to get more pucks to the net and make life difficult for them.”
The final game of the series goes Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. in Prince Edward County at Lehigh Arena. Although three games in the series have finished in a tie, the final affair will not. If the game finishes even, like every game in Wellington has, there would be 10 minutes of 5 on 5 overtime, followed by 10 minutes of 4 on 4. It will go to 10 minutes of 3 on 3 from there.
The game can be seen starting at 2:00 pm on YourTV (Cogeco 4/700).
