KENSINGTON – The Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild could not have authored a better script for Game 1.
The Wild struck for two goals 10 seconds apart just past the four-minute mark of the first period, and never looked back en route to an 8-1 win over the Charlottetown Bulk Carriers Pride in Game 1 of the best-of-seven provincial major midget hockey championship series. Game 2 is scheduled for MacLauchlan Arena on the UPEI campus in Charlottetown on Sunday at 6:30 p.m., with Game 3 back in Kensington on Saturday, March 10, at 7:30 p.m.
Bradley Campbell of the Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild, 18, and Luke Garnhum of the Charlottetown Bulk Carriers Pride collide during first-period action of Game 1 in the best-of-seven provincial major midget hockey championship series on Friday night. The Wild won the game 8-1 at Credit Union Centre in Kensington, formerly Community Gardens.
Before an estimated 500 fans at Credit Union Centre in Kensington, previously Community Gardens, the Wild veterans led the way and set the tone. Third-year forward Chandler Wood, who had two goals and two assists for a four-point effort, opened the scoring at 4:03, and sophomore Colby MacArthur made it 2-0 13 seconds later. Another third-year veteran, Evan Gallant, who finished with five points, gave the Wild a 3-0 lead at 10:26, which prompted the Pride to call a timeout.
Connor McGregor, assisted by Nick Reeves and Gage MacWilliams, got the Pride on the board at 16:16, but Gallant restored the Wild’s three-goal lead at 18:47. The Wild would receive goals off the sticks of Ryan Richards (1-2) and Wood in the first 1:06 of the second period to open up a 6-1 cushion at the end of 40 minutes.
Connor McGregor of the Charlottetown Bulk Carriers Pride carries the puck while being defended against by Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild captain and defenceman Clark Webster. Pride forwards Nick Reeves, 16, and Kennedy Gallant, 14, along with Wild forward Chandler Wood, 11, hustle to get involved in the play as well. The action took place during the first period of Game 1 in the best-of-seven provincial major midget hockey championship series in Kensington on Friday night.
Gallant capped the hat trick early in the third period, and Frank Fortin (1-2) closed out the game’s scoring. Wood (2), MacArthur (2), Isaac Callaghan (2), Clark Webster, Ethan Beaulieu and Dixon MacLeod contributed assists.
Caleb Coyle continued his strong play in goal for the Wild in earning the victory. Erik MacInnis and Ben Parent shared the goaltending duties for the Pride.
The Pride was assessed eight minor penalties, two double minors for head contact, two 10-minute misconducts and one checking-to-the-head major and game misconduct. The Wild was whistled for four minors, one double minor for head contact and one 10-minute misconduct.
