Goalie tandem turns up intensity in Neepawa

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This article was published 26/02/2025 (205 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It takes only seconds of watching Mason Lobreau and KC Couckuyt to realize they both enjoy each other’s company.

The Neepawa Titans goalie tandem is taking the team back to the Manitoba Junior Hockey League post-season, and it’s clear to see the pair are having a blast along the way.

The good friends are far from strangers, having grown up in Brandon and currently making a formidable one-two punch between the pipes for the Titans.

Lobreau is less than one year older, and they’re more alike than most teammates in the MJHL.

Listed at the same weight, while Couckuyt is listed as one inch taller, they play, act, and even speak a lot alike, but you can’t blame them seeing as they share a lot of experiences as well as character traits.

They both came up through the Brandon Minor Hockey system and won a lot of games as part of the U18 Wheat Kings organization.

Those characteristics continue to serve them well in Neepawa, and it’s not just that they’re winning, it’s that they’re having fun in doing so.

“We’ve been good buddies for a while. We’ve played together a couple of years now and we’re really getting to know each other. We push each other in practice. It’s good friendly competition, which makes us even better friends,” said Lobreau.

“We just like each other. We bond well. We have a lot of laughs, we both can give it and take it. That’s what it’s all about.”

While in some ways they’re competing for ice time, they’re also each other’s biggest supporters.

“I think as you go on you get to know each other a bit better and you even start to root for each other a bit more,” said Couckuyt.

“Knowing each other has helped a lot. If I have any questions, or he has any questions, we’re always talking these things out and he’s been great to go to.”

You can see from warm-ups through the conclusion of a game the pair are clearly enjoying each other’s company, often smiling and joking, even bouncing and dancing to in-game music, but more than anything they push each other to be the best player they can be.

“This year we’ve been confident for a little while that we know we can get it done in the next couple of weeks,” said Couckuyt.

“Our expectations are definitely higher, so I think with that we just have to dig in these last handful of games.”

Lobreau’s in his third year with the Titans, while Couckuyt is in his second.

The two learned from last year’s playoff run in which they forced the Virden Oil Capitals to seven games before being eliminated in the opening round.

The pair are glad to know they’ll be playing playoff again hockey this year, as the Titans clinched a post-season spot with Tuesday’s 7-1 trouncing of the Winnipeg Freeze.

“You want to be playing your best hockey come the post-season. You can’t be trending downhill. We can’t have any doubts in our game. If you’re playing your best hockey come the playoffs, you’ll have your best shot at a deeper run,” said Lobreau.

Although they didn’t have a deep run last year, Lobreau stood on his head in a handful of Neepawa’s games while Couckuyt was watching every second, not just soaking it in, but offering feedback, suggestions, and how they could both be of benefit to the team, whether in the line-up or opening the gate on line changes.

Couckuyt continues to be that teammate this year, constantly offering feedback and support. While it hasn’t been a 50-50 split in terms of playing time, it is most definitely been a 1a and 1b situation in the regular season.

Lobreau has started 27 games and posted a 3.50 goals-against average to go with a .907 save percentage.

Couckuyt is at .910 with a 3.10 goals-against average in 22 games played.

Lobreau isn’t ready to officially pass the torch just yet, but that’s simply because he wants to support his team by keeping the puck out of the net on a nightly basis.

“I think every year is important,” said Lobreau. “You learn something every year that you can add to your game. Learning to be mentally tough is a big part of that.”

“I love being able to bounce questions off him,” said Couckuyt. “We’re really good friends off the ice but once we’re on the ice we want to better each other. We’re both competitive, we both want to win. But yeah I’ll definitely miss seeing him at the rink.”

Despite this being Lobreau’s final year of junior hockey, neither is ready for the ride together to be over.

Both acknowledge staying fresh for a run would be critical to post-season success, and they are only focused on one number when it comes to stats – wins.

Doing whatever it takes to get them exactly that is what they’re after.

“I think we really changed the nature around the league and proved that we’re a dangerous team and not to be overlooked. We can turn some heads in the playoffs for sure,” said Lobreau.

Lobreau isn’t sure what’s coming next year yet, as he’s talked to a few universities and colleges exploring options, but that isn’t top of mind these next few weeks.

He and Couckuyt are simply focused on playing as many games together as possible.

“We just need to buy in. Everyone on our team does. We had some experience last year with playoffs, and just that year of learning from that will help us a lot,” Lobreau added.

“Staying fresh is big,” said Couckuyt.

“If one of us does go down we know that the other guy can step up. For the team too, knowing that either of us can go in and give us a shot to win helps everyone.

“Especially with this group, it’s a big joy to come to the rink every day. We’re always laughing and having a good time.”

The Titans will look to keep the good times rolling down the stretch, with just seven more regular season games, concluding at home against Virden on March 15.

Playoff details will be finalized at the conclusion of the MJHL regular season.

» mpackwood@brandonsun.com