It was another busy and exciting weekend for the Holland Hurricanes across the region.  In Montague, PEI, the women’s hockey ‘Canes were victorious at the Atlantic Collegiate Hockey Association (ACHA) Championship, while the men’s volleyball Hurricanes clinched second place entering the 2023 Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) playoffs.  Women’s volleyball split their weekend matches while the basketball ‘Canes fell in a pair of games on Sunday to the Mounties.

Women’s Hockey

Sunday | Hurricanes 2, Acadia 1

For the first time since 2016, the Holland Hurricanes hoisted the Atlantic women’s hockey championship. They did so after defeating the Acadia University Axewomen, 2-1 on Sunday in the ACHA Championship game at the Cavendish Farms Wellness Centre in Montague, PEI.

After defeating Acadia, 4-1 in game one of the playoffs, and the Cape Breton University (CBU) Capers on Saturday, 5-0, the Hurricanes were set to play for the Atlantic title on Sunday afternoon.  Acadia had clinched their spot in the finals by defeating CBU on Saturday, 6-2.

The Hurricanes wasted no time in the finals, scoring just 19-seconds into the game with a goal from Maddy Clapham, assisted by Jessica Desautels.

The Axewomen would answer later in the period, with 3:39 remaining, to tie the game.  But the ‘Canes would end the scoring when Desautels found the back of the net with 57-seconds remaining in the opening period, putting the ‘Canes up 2-1.

As the game progressed, both sides had excellent scoring opportunities but neither team could capitalize.  Both Emma Arsenault (Hurricanes) and Paige Mather (Acadia) played exceptional games in goal.

The ‘Canes, in front of a jam-packed arena, would hold on for the win and hoist the championship trophy.

Earlier in the weekend, four Hurricanes players were recognized as ACHA All-Stars following the regular season. Jessica Desautels and Jacy McMillan on the first team, and Emma Arsenault an Livi Lawlor on the second team.

The Hurricanes would like to thank all the great fans that attended games this weekend, making the championship a great success.

Connect with the women’s hockey Hurricanes at www.twitter.com/caneswhockey andwww.instagram.com/caneswhockey.

Women’s Volleyball

Saturday | Hurricanes 3, MTA 0 - Set scores were 25-7, 26-24, 25-19.

It was a straight sets win for the Hurricanes over the Mount Allison University (MTA) Mounties on Saturday at the McMillan Centre in Charlottetown; the ‘Canes final home game of the 2022-23 season.

Jenna O’Neill and Morgan White led the attack for the ‘Canes with ten and nine kills respectively. O’Neill added six digs, three aces, and two blocks while White had six digs and one ace.  Ella Hickey added 19 assists, three kills, three aces, and three digs in the win. Makena Marble led the defensive effort with seven digs while also adding three assists.

Sunday | Hurricanes 0, MSVU 3 - Set scores were 24-26, 17-25, 14-25

It wasn’t the afternoon the ‘Canes had been hoping for on Sunday in Halifax versus the Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) Mystics.  The ‘Canes fell in straight-sets to the top-ranked, Mystics.

Jenna O’Neill led the attack with 11 kills for the Hurricanes with Mason Babey and Kateia Barenaba both adding four. O’Neill added three aces and 13 digs. Ella Hickey recorded 22 assists with Makena Marble adding 10 digs and Morgan White with nine digs in the loss.

The ‘Canes now sit at 11-5 this season and in third place in the ACAA standings.  They trail the MSVU Mystics (13-3) and the St. Thomas University (STU) Tommies, 13-4, who sit tied atop the standings, four-points up on the Hurricanes.  The ‘Canes have two games remaining, both on the road, versus the Dalhousie Agricultural Campus (Dal AC) Rams (5-11) this Friday and Saturday in Truro, Nova Scotia.

Connect with the women’s volleyball ‘Canes at www.twitter.com/caneswvball and www.instagram.com/caneswvball.

Men’s Volleyball

Saturday | Hurricanes 1, USTA 3 - Set scores were 19-25, 25-23, 19-25, 25-27

In a battle between the ACAA’s top two teams, the Hurricanes faced the Université de Sainte-Anne (USTA) Dragons on Saturday in Charlottetown at the McMillan Centre. The Dragons would take the win in four-sets.

Cameron Calhoun led the way for the ‘Canes with 15 kills, two aces, 14 digs, and three blocks. Carson Gray Added eight kills and 11 digs while Luke Hyde added eight kills, three aces, four digs, and three blocks. Kiefer Sinclair had 36 assists and nine digs with Tyler McBride adding four assists and 13 digs in the loss.

Sunday | Hurricanes 3, STU 0 - Set scores were 25-21, 25-12, 25-21

The battle for second place in the ACAA came down to Sunday’s match in Fredericton between the ‘Canes and Tommies.  The two teams entered the match tied with identical records and knowing they would face each other in the first round of the ACAA playoffs.  The winner of the match, however, would clinch home-court advantage for the best-of-three series.

Cameron Calhoun and Luke Hyde led the attack with 12 and 11 kills respectively. Calhoun added four aces and seven digs while Hyde had one ace and four digs. Kiefer Sinclair added 28 assists and four digs with Tyler McBride leading the defensive effort with 12 digs in the win.

With the win, the ‘Canes finish the regular season in second with a record of 9-6.

The ‘Canes will now turn their focus towards the best-of-three ACAA semi-final playoff series versus the STU Tommies.  Game one will take place on Wednesday in Fredericton at 7pm, with games two and three (if necessary) taking place in Charlottetown this weekend at the McMillan Centre.

This promises to be an exciting series as the Hurricanes have won three-of-five versus the Tommies during the regular season, with three of those matches going five-sets.

Connect with the men’s volleyball ‘Canes at www.twitter.com/canesmvball and www.instagram.com/canesmvball.

Women’s Basketball

Sunday | Hurricanes 73, MTA 75

The ‘Canes fell to the MTA Mounties on Sunday at the McMillan Centre in Charlottetown in an intense matchup that featured 11 ties and 20 lead changes. The ‘Canes trailed 23-21 after the first quarter, were tied 41-41 at the half, and trailed 61-59 after three. 

Karla Benitez had a team-high 18 points for the Hurricanes to go along with nine rebounds, five assists, and three steals. Danielle McKinnon came off the bench hitting five threes for 15 points and a steal. Sheleese Hoilett added 13 points with Lisa Bolander and Lauren Armstrong both adding 11 in the loss.

The Hurricanes fall to 10-4 this season and sit tied for third with the STU Tommies (10-5).  The Mounties, 12-2, lead the conference with the MSVU Mystics (11-4) in second in a very tight ACAA conference.  The top four teams, separated by just four points, are battling for the top two seeds as we approach the playoffs; the top two finishers will receive byes to the semi-finals.

The ‘Canes will kick off a four-game in eight-day stretch on Sunday, February 19 when they visit the STU Tommies.  Their regular season will then conclude with road games at the University of King’s College (UKC) on February 22, and the University of New Brunswick Saint John (UNBSJ) on February 24, before finishing their regular season at home on February 26 versus UKC.

Connect with the women’s basketball ‘Canes at www.twitter.com/caneswbball and www.instagram.com/hurricanesbball.

Men’s Basketball

Sunday | Hurricanes 95, MTA 94 (OT)

The fans were treated to an exciting matchup on Sunday at the McMillan Centre as the Hurricanes and Mounties battled for the third time this regular season.

The ‘Canes opened a 25-11 lead after one quarter but would watch it slip away as they entered the half-time break ahead, 45-41; they would lead 67-60 after three.

The ‘Canes came out slow in the fourth quarter and trailed 85-79 with ten seconds to play before Chris Cheatham hit a pull-up three, followed by a Logan Rempel inbound pass steal and a three of his own with 1.4 seconds to play to force the game to overtime.

Jalen Menzies had 28 points to lead the Hurricanes while adding four rebounds, four assists, and five steals. Kyree Thompson added 25 points, five rebounds, three assists, and three steals.

Jack MacAulay had 14 points, eight rebounds, one assist, and two steals with Chris Cheatham adding 13 points, six rebounds, five assists, and five steals off the bench.

The ‘Canes are now 10-4 on the season and in a tie for first with MSVU and STU, who are both 10-5. The Crandall Chargers are following closely behind at 9-5 with the Mounties in fifth at 8-6.

Like the women’s side, things are extremely close as the end of the regular season approaches.  The top five teams, separated by just four-points, are battling for one of the top-two seeds entering the playoffs where they will receive a bye to the semi-finals.

The ‘Canes will face the Tommies in Fredericton on Sunday, before visiting UKC on February 22, and UNBSJ on February 24. The Hurricanes will then end their regular season on Sunday, February 26 versus the UKC Blue Devils at the McMillan Centre in Charlottetown. 

Connect with the men’s basketball ‘Canes at www.twitter.com/canesmbball and www.instagram.com/hurricanesbball.

For more information on the Holland Hurricanes, please visit www.hollandhurricanes.com, www.facebook.com/hollandhurricanes, www.twitter.com/hc_hurricanes and www.instagram.com/hollandhurricanes.

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