The Macdonald Swarm closed the week with two wins in three outings, punctuating their first-place finish in the Hanover Tache Junior Hockey League standings.
Macdonald opened the stretch Tuesday with a 5–4 loss to the East St. Paul Gators at Gateway Rec Centre. The Swarm answered back throughout the night — getting goals from Tyler Van de Velde, Colton Plaitin, Carson Park and Cade McCallum — but couldn’t erase a third-period push by East St. Paul. Goaltender Ethan Wiebe was busy in the loss, turning aside 49 shots.
The Swarm rebounded in a big way Friday, rolling past the Warren 67’s 10–2 at Sanford Recreation Centre. Macdonald scored five times in the first period and never looked back, with Plaitin scoring twice and Cade McCallum collecting a goal and multiple assists as the offence spread throughout the lineup. Slade Sotheran scored the game-winning goal on the power play late in the opening frame, while Macdonald received goaltending from Liam Jones and Jack Martin, who combined to allow two goals.
Macdonald wrapped up the week Saturday with a 5–2 win over the Landmark Blues at Landmark Arena. After a scoreless first period, Kayden Robertson opened the scoring and struck again early in the third, while Plaitin added the game-winner 62 seconds into the final frame. The Swarm’s special teams made the difference, going 2-for-6 on the power play, including goals by Carson Park and Cooper Rodewald, and Wiebe stopped 21 shots for the win.
With the weekend results, Macdonald finished the regular season at 29-1 atop the HTJHL standings.
