Photo Credit: Freeze Frame Photos
After opening the 2026 Steve Richey Tournament with a hard-fought 4–3 loss to the Ottawa Valley Titans on Thursday, January 15th, the Soo U18 Greyhounds returned to the ice Friday morning looking to reset and respond. With a 10:00 a.m puck drop against the Mississauga Rebels in Peterborough, the Greyhounds delivered a disciplined and determined performance, skating to a convincing victory before preparing for their afternoon matchup.
The opening period was a feeling-out process for both teams, with strong defensive play and solid goaltending keeping the game scoreless after 20 minutes. Chances were limited, and neither side was able to capitalize as the teams headed to the intermission deadlocked at 0–0.
Special teams proved to be the difference in the second period, as the Greyhounds’ power play came alive. At 14:12, Dreyton Boissoneau opened the scoring with his second goal of the tournament, converting on the man advantage with helpers from Espen Escasa and Frankie Reda. Mississauga responded quickly, however, as Jordan Anastasiou tied the game at 1–1 just 45 seconds later with an unassisted marker.
The Greyhounds regained momentum midway through the period. At 6:15, Finley Escasa restored the Soo lead with a power-play goal, assisted by Finlay Carlson and Anthony Spironello. The pressure continued late in the frame, and at 2:35 Espen Escasa extended the lead to 3–1, finishing a play set up by Finley Escasa and Francesco Reda to give the Greyhounds a two-goal cushion heading into the third.
In the final period, the Greyhounds maintained control and continued to make the most of their opportunities. At 14:22, Makks Demidovich added an insurance goal on the power play, scoring his first of the tournament with assists from Nathan Dupuis and Espen Escasa. The goal effectively sealed the win, as the Greyhounds shut things down defensively the rest of the way.
Sebastien Brassard was steady between the pipes for the Greyhounds, turning aside the Rebels’ chances when called upon, while Kyle Munro handled the goaltending duties for Mississauga.
With the win, the Soo U18 Greyhounds rebounded nicely and turned their attention to their next challenge. The Greyhounds were set to return to the ice later that day, Friday, January 16th, with a 3:00 p.m matchup against Everest Academy of Concord, Ontario, continuing their round-robin schedule at the Steve Richey Tournament.
In game two of the day, the Soo Greyhounds returned to the ice to take on Everest Academy in an afternoon matinee at the Steve Richey Memorial Tournament, with puck drop set for 3:00 p.m. In a tight-checking and physical contest, both teams traded chances but were unable to find the back of the net, skating to a hard-fought 0–0 draw. Greyhounds goaltender Gavin Zuccato was solid throughout, matching saves with Everest Academy netminder Krystof Kotacka to preserve the shutout at both ends.
The Greyhounds will close out their round-robin schedule at the 2026 Steve Richey Tournament on Friday morning with an 11:30 a.m. matchup against the Ajax-Pickering Raiders. Despite still having one game remaining, the tie officially eliminates Soo from championship contention at the tournament. The Greyhounds will look to finish the weekend on a positive note as they play for pride and experience against another strong opponent.
