Ice Hockey off to shakey start

By ZENDA FARREL | Milton Independent Sports Writer

Ice Hockey team members: (L-R) Dewey Ballard, Coach Leon Lifschutz, Jay Thompson, Eric Daunais, Scott Hall, James Potvin, Nikki Lauziere, Mike Rice, Cody Mercer, Ian Flynn, Brett Mongeon, Beau Cushing, Corey Hurley, Tim Gingras, Matt Goulet, Steve Whitaker, Dustin Cummings, and Asst. Coach Andy Langevin.

With Leon Lifschutz back as head ice hockey coach, the Yellowjackets season is already well underway. Lifschutz is again assisted by Milton alumnus Bryan Seymour and Andy Langevin.

It’s a barebones team this year with a roster of only 16, including freshmen Dustin Cummings (defense), Nikki Lauziere (goaltender); sophomores Jordan "J" Thompson (defense), Matt Goulet (forward); juniors Corey Hurley (forward), Steven Whitaker (forward), Mike Rice (defense), Jaime Potvin (defense), Scott Hall (defense); seniors Beau Cushing (forward), Dwayne Ballard (forward), Timmy Gingras (defense), Eric Daunais (forward), Ian Flynn (forward), Cody Mercer (goaltender) and Brett Mongeon (forward).

The team opened the season with a 6-5 win in a scrimmage against MHS Alumni on Friday, November 23, despite a fierce comeback from the Alumni in the waning minutes.

A fast-paced preseason scrimmage against U-32 ended in a 7-5 loss but Coach Lifschutz feels that the team showed well.

“This year we don't have as big a roster but we have a really hard working and dedicated bunch who definitely still know how to have fun. We expect to be competitive with pretty much everyone in the league. We should be a team that can move the puck really well as a group and possibly one of the most physical teams in the state.”

The first regular season game took place at Highgate vs Missisquoi on Wednesday, Nov 28 and ended in a 5-2 loss. Play was even until the last period when MVU, who petitioned down to DII this year, skated away with the game, out shooting the Jackets 40-23.

Jamie Potvin and Mike Rice scored for Milton and Cody Mercer made 35 saves.

A painful home game against Mount St. Joseph on Saturday finished 13-4 for the MSJ Mounties. The highlight of the game was a goal by Brett Mongeon (his first ever), scored just 3 minutes into the first period. Eric Daunais netted a hat trick with one unassisted goal and help from Ian Flynn on another. Mike Rice and Matt Goulet assisted on the third.

The Jackets had a total of 25 shots on the MSJ net and Nikki Lauziere and Cody Mercer combined for 34 saves for Milton.

“It was bit of a rough one but there were some positives and as always it is a learning process and we are confident it will get better,” says Leon.

On Wednesday, Dec. 5 the Yellowjackets take on U-32 at Highgate with an 8 p.m. start and the annual MVU tournament begins at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7 also at Highgate.

Go Yellowjackets!!