The Lindsay Muskies and Trenton Golden Hawks were in the holiday spirit heading into their final game of the 2020 calendar year Friday afternoon.
With the Duncan McDonald Memorial Community Gardens as the backdrop, the Muskies and G-Hawks met in the second of a two game mini series called The Fish Bowl – presented by Fast and Fussy Sandra Hussy of Exit Realty. The game was broadcast on YourTV (Cogeco 4/700) and HockeyTV.
Before the game, the Golden Hawks held a ceremonial puck drop to celebrate local businessman Taylor Russett. The 21-year-old is the owner of the Grind and Vine coffee and wine bar in downtown Trenton. He was the victim of hateful slurs directed towards him, along with vandalism and arson to his building. Russet, along with Mayor Jim Harrison, and G-Hawks Director of Operations John McDonald dropped the puck. Both teams graciously welcomed Russett to the ice.
McDonald says, “Quinte West is a proud community, and the Trenton Golden Hawks are just one member of the business family. To hear about the homophobic slurs, and vandalism towards a member of our community is very troubling. It cannot and will not be tolerated. We thank Taylor for his courage during what must be a difficult time. A young entrepreneur trying to open a business during a pandemic has enough challenges, let alone having to deal with intolerance. Russett is part of the Quinte West family, and we wish him great success and happiness in his endeavours. We were honoured to have him join us for the game.”
To the game at hand. The Golden Hawks won a tight game one Thursday afternoon 4-3 in OT. It was thanks in part to the two-goal performance of Ryan Glazer, including the winner in extra time. Belleville’s Ethan Fraser got the start for Lindsay, while Joe Ranger once again backstopped Trenton. The first frame was a tight checking affair. The Muskies kept Trenton close during the period. Late in the frame, Dalton Bancroft went hard to the front of the net, where he tipped the puck in at 17:11. Assists went to Kyle Robinson and Griffen Fox. Shots would finish 13-12 in Lindsay’s favour.
The second frame included a chippy edge. Both teams were feisty and went at one another. The referee pairing of Brandon LaBarge and Chris Galway kept the players in check with numerous minor penalties. The Lindsay Muskies would even things up early in the frame. Former G-Hawk Zachary Desmarais went bar down, unassisted at 2:47. It caught some of the players off guard, as many were not sure whether it went in. The officials were in the right spot to see the perfect shot catch the inside bar. At 10:51 of the second, Trenton would retake the lead. Stefan Dobrich fired it from the top of the circle, inside the post on Fraser’s glove side. Assists went to Brannon Butler, and Jake Campbell. Shots in the second frame finished 18-8 for Trenton.
To the third, Trenton would add a pair of goals to seal the deal. Wyatt George and Griffen Fox would both find the back of the net. The final was 4-1, with shots 43-35 in Trenton’s favour.
Head Coach/GM of the Trenton Golden Hawks Peter Goulet says, “This was a great way to head into the Christmas break. The players have worked hard for months, and it was nice to see them go home with two games. The staff and volunteers have gone above and beyond to make this work. Constant cleaning, temperature checks, consultation with health units and municipalities, and of course the OJHL, OHA, and OHF. This has not been easy. It has been trying at times, and we have worked hard to get the guys into a few games.”
SUBMITTED TO QUINTE NEWS
Lindsay and Trenton thank one anther for the two game series
