Voyageurs Weekend Preview - January 6-8, 2017
The opening weekend of 2017 is a busy one for the Laurentian Voyageurs as they welcome men’s and women’s basketball back to the Ben Avery and men’s and women’s hockey to Countryside Arena.
The action begins Friday night as both men’s and women’s basketball host the Brock Badgers (6pm & 8pm) while men’s hockey welcomes the Waterloo Warriors to the rink (7:35pm). Competition continues Saturday as the women’s hockey team welcomes the Queen’s Gaels to Countryside Arena (3:50pm), while the men host the Laurier Golden Hawks (7:35pm), and men’s and women’s basketball conclude their weekend against the McMaster Marauders (6pm & 8pm). The women’s hockey team rounds out the busy weekend on Sunday afternoon as they host the UOIT Ridgebacks at 1:50pm.
The 1-7 women’s basketball squad is looking for a fresh start to 2017 against the 2-4 Badgers on Friday night. Leading the way for the Voyageurs so far this season are veterans Meghan Forestell and Emily Tinnes who are both averaging 11.3 ppg. Tinnes leads the Voyageurs in court time, averaging 30 minutes per game, while dishing out 3 assists and 2 steals per game. L’Ashante Henry should continue to lead the way on the boards, currently averaging six rebounds per game. On the other end, the Badgers will be led by Kira Cornelissen who currently sits in the top five in the OUA in several offensive and defensive categories, including rebounds per game (12.7) and points per game (19.8).
Following the women at 8pm is the 3-5 men’s squad who will look to freshman, Kadre Gray to continue his success as he leads the OUA with 24.4 ppg, averaging 35 minutes per game. Nelson Yengue will continue to carry the rebounding load for the Voyageurs, as he averaged 9.3 rebounds per game in the first half. On the visitor’s side, the Badgers have enjoyed a balanced effort from their team with three players averaging double digits, including former Voyageur and three-point threat, Ryan Bennett, who makes his return to the Ben Avery on Friday night.
Saturday night will be another challenge for the women’s squad as they take on the 6-1 McMaster Marauders. The visiting Marauders currently sit atop the OUA Central division and are led by veteran guard Danielle Boiago, currently leading the OUA, averaging 20.7 ppg.
On the men’s side, the Voyageurs and McMaster should have a great battle on their hands as the 3-4 Marauders are paced by Connor Gilmore, currently averaging 19 ppg.
The 2017 opening weekend is definitely a big one for both the men’s and women’s squads, action beginning Friday (6pm) at the Ben Avery Gym.
Both ice pads at Countryside Arena will also be busy this weekend as both men’s and women’s hockey teams are in action and playoff contention.
The men kick off 2017 on Friday night against the 5-11 Waterloo Warriors and will look to Darcy Haines and Brent Pedersen to continue their offensive attacks in order to stay in the win column and push to secure a spot in the post-season. The 7-10 Voyageurs have enjoyed a balanced offense throughout the lineup so far this season and will need that to continue in order to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot.
On Saturday night, the men welcome the 8-10 Laurier Golden Hawks to Sudbury and will be sure to keep Andrew Fritsch and Derek Schoenmakers off the scoresheet as they currently lead all Golden Hawks players with 18 points each.
On the women’s side, the Voyageurs currently sit in seventh place in a very tight division in which only six points separate the third and 11th place teams. The 6-6 Voyageurs host the Queen’s Gaels Saturday afternoon at 3:50pm. The Gaels are currently one point behind the Voyageurs in the standings and will definitely be looking to gain more points on Saturday. The Voyageurs have enjoyed a balanced attack so far this season, led by captain Ellery Veerman and veterans Samantha Morell and Elissa Bertuzzi and will look to increase their goal output this weekend against Gaels goalie Stephanie Pascal (2.06 GAA).
Sunday is much of the same story for the Voyageurs as they welcome the 5-7 UOIT Ridgebacks who are also one point behind them in the standings.
The opening weekend of 2017 is definitely a busy one for the Voyageurs, but it will be filled with competitive excitement so make sure to stop by the Ben Avery Gym and Countryside Arena to get your fill of OUA action all weekend long.