Wild, Pride win opening games

P.E.I.’s two major midget hockey teams won their opening games in the 2019 Chronicle Herald East Coast Ice Jam tournament.

The Kensington Monaghan Farms Wild posted a solid 4-1 victory over the Cole Harbour WolfPack, the first-place team in the Nova Scotia Major Midget Hockey League, on Wednesday night. After losing their first two regular-season games, the WolfPack went on to win 25 of their next 27 league games, with both losses coming in a shootout.

The Charlottetown Bulk Carriers Pride defeated Pictou County 3-1 on Thursday.

In major bantam action, the Prince County Warriors lost their first two games — 1-0 to Dartmouth and 3-1 to the Bedford Barons.

The Eastern Express is also 0-2 after losing 4-3 to The Novas and 6-4 to the Valley Wildcats.

The Central Attack pulled out a 3-2 overtime win over the ACCEL Hawks, and were scheduled to face The Gulls on Thursday evening.

The Mid-Isle Matrix lost its opener 1-0 to the Kennebecasis Valley Kings, and took on the Port City Sharks in a late game Thursday.

For more coverage and updates on the Ice Jam tournament, be sure to check www.journalpioneer.com.

Wild 4 WolfPack 1

Bennett MacArthur scored twice while Chad Arsenault turned in a strong performance between the pipes in leading the Wild, winners of the 2018 Monctonian AAA Challenge. Rookies Duncan Picketts and Reid Peardon both scored highlight-reel goals for the Wild, who took a 2-0 lead into the third period after the teams played a scoreless opening frame. Keiran Gallant, Ethan Beaulieu, Colby MacArthur, Zac Arsenault, Ryan Richards and Matt McQuaid collected assists.

Gavin Watt netted the lone Cole Harbour goal.

The Wild faced the Halifax McDonald’s on Thursday night, and concludes round-robin play against Steel Subaru on Friday at 5 p.m.

Pride 3 Pictou County 1

After a scoreless first period, the Pride took a 1-0 lead into the final frame.

Alex Graham (1-1), Nick Reeves and Reid Vos scored for the Pride while Jake Squires (2) and Cameron MacLean chipped in with assists. Graham’s goal with 8:05 remaining in the third period broke a 1-1 tie.

Ben Fraser answered for Pictou County.

Erik MacInnis earned the goaltending win.

The Pride will play twice on Friday — against the Cape Breton Tradesmen at 9:30 a.m., and Western Kings at 5:30 p.m.