Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
Over the February 21–22 weekend in Sault Ste. Marie, the Soo U16 Greyhounds wrapped up their final two home games of the 2025–2026 GNu18HL regular season by hosting the visiting North Bay U16 Trappers. The two-game set saw special teams play a key role on Saturday before the Greyhounds bounced back with a strong all-around performance on Sunday to earn a weekend split.
In game one on Saturday, February 21, The opening period was a defensive stalemate, with both teams generating chances but no scoring through 20 minutes.
North Bay broke the deadlock early in the second period while shorthanded. At 6:24, Joe Monet scored his 3rd of the season, unassisted, to give the Trappers a 1–0 lead. The Greyhounds answered on the power play at 13:27, as Lukas Maninos netted his 1st of the season with an assist from Alexander Priem to tie the game.
The Trappers regained momentum late in the frame. At 18:45, Easton Assinewai scored his 1st of the season, assisted by Eian Koski, to make it 2–1. Just over a minute later, North Bay struck again on the power play when Trey Bigelow buried his 11th of the season at 19:52, with Cole Coulter picking up the assist, extending the lead to 3–1 heading into the third.
The Greyhounds pushed back in the final period and cut the deficit at 1:38, as Ethan Cress scored his 4th of the season, assisted by David Francella. Despite continued pressure, the comeback effort fell short, and North Bay held on for the 3–2 victory.
Goaltenders: Soo: Phoenix Bell, North Bay: Antoine Ethier
Game two on Sunday, February 22 on Sunday morning saw the Greyhounds respond with a strong start. At 6:29 of the first period, Bryson Palahnuk opened the scoring with his 8th of the season, assisted by Ethan Farquharson and Wyatt Jarrett, giving Soo a 1–0 lead after one.
North Bay tied the game early in the second at 3:22, as Seth Verbiwski scored his 12th of the season, with assists from Joe Monet and Reed Sauve. The Greyhounds quickly regained the advantage at 11:53, when Ethan Farquharson netted his 11th of the season, assisted by Wyatt Jarrett and Reegan Dezordo, sending Soo into the third period up 2–1.
The Greyhounds took control in the final frame with three unanswered goals. At 8:35, Preston Gioia scored his 4th of the season, assisted by Gage Guzzo and Reegan Dezordo. Less than a minute later, at 9:28, Nicholas Patience added his 1st of the season, with assists from Ethan Cress and Wyatt Jarrett, making it 4–1. Soo closed out the scoring at 12:56, as Ashton Neufeld tallied his 5th of the season, unassisted, sealing the 5–1 win.
Goaltenders: Soo: Ethan Brewer, North Bay: Josh Saucier
With their final home games complete, the Greyhounds will close out the 2025–2026 GNu18HL regular season on the road. Soo travels to face the New Liskeard Cubs on February 27, followed by a stop in Timmins on February 28 to take on the Majors at McIntyre Arena.
