The Major Midget League entered the ninth week of play this past weekend with five (5) doubleheaders occurring across the province. The games were played on Saturday, November 14 and Sunday, November 15. The following will provide game summaries for each of the five (5) doubleheaders.
The BC Hockey Major Midget League was established in 2004 to provide elite level 15, 16 and 17 year olds an opportunity to play within their own age group at a high level and be developed for the next level of hockey. These teams have an opportunity each year to compete for the National Midget Championship.
Vancouver North East Chiefs Clash with the Okanagan Rockets
The Vancouver North East Chiefs (9-4-3) made the trip to Kelowna this past weekend to take on the Okanagan Rockets (11-3-2). Matthew Bissett (Maple Ridge, BC) was the lone goal scorer in the first period giving the Chiefs the 1-0 lead. The Rockets exploded for three (3) goals in the second period; Zac McPhee (Vernon, BC) scored a pair and Brent Lashuk (Lake Country, BC) with other. With 1:04 remaining in the frame Corey Dubbeldam (Maple Ridge, BC) scored to cut the Rocket’s lead to one (1). The Chiefs continued to battle in the third period and mid-way through the period Regan Soquila (Maple Ridge, BC) scored the game tying goal. Neither team could score the game winning goal as the game finished in a 3-3 tie. Connor Barrie (Vernon, BC) for the Rockets and Matt Hewitt (Coquitlam, BC) for Chiefs each turned in a great performance in net.
The Chiefs got off to quick start in the second game of the weekend with a marker from Joey Santucci (Coquitlam, BC) at 7:37 of the first period. The Rocket’s Colton Sparrow (Kelowna, BC) responded at 14:45 of the second to tie the game at one (1). The teams battled for the rest of the second and into the third with each team unable to score the decisive goal. With 1:48 remaining in the third period the Rocket’s Brett Mulcahy (Kelowna, BC) scored to give his team late game lead. The Rockets added an empty net goal late and picked up the 3-1 win. Darren Hogg (Penticton, BC) was stellar in net for the Rockets in the win.
The Vancouver North East Chiefs will be at home next weekend when they take on the Thompson Blazers. Game one (1) is scheduled for Saturday, November 21 at 4:00 pm at the Cam Neely Arena. The Okanagan Rockets will be on the road next weekend when they travel to Burnaby to take on the Vancouver North West Giants. Game one (1) is scheduled for Saturday, November 21 at 6:00 pm at the Burnaby Winter Club.
North Island Silvertips Battle the Vancouver North West Giants
The North Island Silvertips (9-5-2) made the trip to the Lower Mainland to take on the Vancouver North West Giants (9-5-2) this past weekend. Early in the first Jarrett Martin (North Vancouver, BC) scored to give the Giants the 1-0 lead. Late in the first period the Silvertips responded with a pair of goals in 25 seconds. Jaden Schmiesser (Nanaimo, BC) scored the first and Kelyn Opel (Parksville, BC) with the second. The Giants netted another early period goal with Curtis Loik (North Vancouver, BC) scoring at 18:44 of the second period. Before the second was over the Silvertips restored the one (1) goal lead with Evan Richardson’s (Nanaimo, BC) thirteenth goal of the season. Mid-way through the third the Silvertips extended the lead to two (2) with Schmeisser’s second of the game. Unfazed the Giants battled hard and at 3:41 Alex Kerfoot (West Vancouver, BC) cut the lead to one (1) and then with just 1:55 remaining Destry Straight (West Vancouver, BC) completed the comeback scoring to tie the game at four (4). The game ended in a 4-4 draw. The Giant’s Lyndon Stonwood (West Vancouver, BC) and the Silvertip’s Kolding Larson (Nanaimo, BC) were stellar in net for their respective teams.
The Giants carried the momentum over from their come from behind victory in the first game into the second with two (2) goals in the opening period. Matt Bellerive (North Vancouver, BC) scored both goals for the Giants. The Silvertips battled back in the second period tying the game at two (2) with goals from Teagan Waugh (Nanaimo, BC) and Adam Smith (Nanaimo, BC). Before the period was over Destry Straight scored to give the Giants the 3-2 lead. The Silvertips battled hard in the third, but were unable to beat the Giants keeper. The Giants added two (2) more late to pick up the 5-2 win. Charlie Finn (North Vancouver, BC) scored the win in net for the Giants and now has a 7-0 record with a 1.71 goals against average this season.
The North Island Silvertips are at home next weekend when they host the Fraser Valley Bruins. Game one (1) is scheduled for Saturday, November 21 at 5:30 pm at the Nanaimo Ice Centre #1. The Vancouver North West Giants are at home next weekend when they host the Okanagan Rockets. Game one (1) is scheduled for Saturday, November 21 at 6:00 pm at the Burnaby Winter Club.
Kootenay Ice Look for a Road Win against the Fraser Valley Bruins
The Kootenay Ice (2-14-0) made the trip to the Lower Mainland this past weekend to take on the Fraser Valley Bruins (8-8-0). Reid Frizzell (Abbotsford, BC) opened the scoring for the Bruins mid-way through the first period. The Ice scored a pair of goals before the first was over to hold a 2-1 lead. Goal scorers for the Ice were Arthur Andrews (Castlegar, BC) and Jesse Knowler (Trail, BC). The Bruins tied the game at two (2) in the second with a goal from Dakota Schipper (Chilliwack, BC). The Ice regained the one (1) goal advantage at 16:29 of the third period with a goal from Matti Jmaeff (Creston, BC). The Bruins battled hard over the final 15 minutes of the game scoring three (3) unanswered goals to score the 5-3 win. Goal scorers for the Bruins were Frizzell with his second of the game, Steven Hodges (Chilliwack, BC) and Brendan Kroeker (Abbotsford, BC). Brandon Stone (Langley, BC) was strong between the pipes in the win for the Bruins.
The Bruins took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission in the second game of the weekend with a marker from Drew Graham (Chilliwack, BC). Late in the second period the Bruins added to their lead with a goal from David Rose (Abbotsford, BC). With 30 seconds remaining in the second period the Ice scored two (2) goals to tie the game at two (2) heading into the final period. Goal scorers for the Ice were Drew Nikirk and Matti Jmaeff. Graham scored his second goal of the game mid-way through the final frame and this proved to be the game winning goal. Mackenzie Skapski (Abbotsford, BC) picked up the 3-2 win in net for the Bruins.
The Kootenay Ice will be on the road next weekend when they travel to Langley to take on the Valley West Hawks. Game one (1) is scheduled for Saturday, November 21 at 11:30 am at the Langley Events Centre. The Fraser Valley Bruins will be on the road next weekend when they travel to Nanaimo to take on the North Island Silvertips. Game one (1) is scheduled for Saturday, November 21 at 5:30 pm at the Nanaimo Ice Centre #1.
Greater Vancouver Canadians Tangle with the Valley West Hawks
The Greater Vancouver Canadians (10-6-2) made the short trip to Surrey this past weekend to take on the Valley West Hawks (6-10-0). After the first period of play the Canadians held a 2-1 lead over the Hawks. Early in the second period the Canadians built their lead to three (3) with goals from Pearce Eviston (Vancouver, BC) and Nolan Kinney (Delta, BC). The Hawks responded with a goal from Mason Blacklock (Surrey, BC) at 12:54 of the period and Colton Mackie with four (4) minutes remaining in the frame. The Canadian’s Troy Stecher (Richmond, BC) scored with one (1) second left in the period to hold a 5-3 lead after two (2). The teams exchanged goals in the third period and the Canadians picked up the 6-4 win. Alex Ahnert (Delta, BC) scored the win in net for the Canadians.
"It was nice to see all lines contributing to the win," said Greater Vancouver Canadians head coach Leland Mack.
The Canadians opened the second game of the weekend with a pair of goals at the mid-way point of the first. The Hawk’s Austin Plevey (Langley, BC) cut the lead to one (1) late in the first. The Canadians opened the game wide open in the third period with three (3) unanswered goals. Cameron Lawson (Vancouver, BC) led the way with a pair of goals in the second period. The teams exchanged goals in the third period and the game ended 8-2 in favour of the Canadians. Cameron Lawson had an outstanding game finishing with three (3) goals and two (2) assists. Devin Nijjer (Delta, BC) picked up the win in net for the Canadians.
"It was a good confidence building weekend, which we needed. We took too many penalties though - and that can come to haunt a team when the stakes get higher,” said Greater Vancouver Canadians head coach Leland Mack. “We go into our bye weekend with some wins, looking forward to all the practice time before we play Kootenay in two weeks."
The Greater Vancouver Canadians will be on their first bye of the season next weekend. They will be action next when they host the Kootenay Ice at the Sungod Arena on Saturday, November 28. The Valley West Hawks will be in action next when they host the Kootenay Ice. Game one (1) is scheduled for Saturday, November 21 at 11:30 am at the Langley Events Centre.
South Island Thunderbirds Host the Thompson Blazers
The Thompson Blazers (4-12-0) made the trip to Victoria this past weekend to take on the South Island Thunderbirds (4-13-1). The Blazers opened the scoring with a goal from Joshua Rasmusssen (Kamloops, BC) at 5:20 of the first period. After a scoreless second period the Blazers added to their lead with a marker by Lucas Nickles (Salmon Arm, BC). The Blazers added one (1) late to score the 3-0 victory. Jacob Mattes (Kamloops, BC) was solid in net for the shutout win.
After an exciting first period in the second game of the weekend the score was tied at two (2). Mark Walton (Victoria, BC) and Kyle Richter (Victoria, BC) scored for the Thunderbirds and Shane Danyluk (Salmon Arm, BC) and Lucas Nickles for the Blazers. It was the Blazers on the board in the second with a couple of goals to take a 4-2 lead into the third period. Both goals in the second were from Danyluk giving him the hat trick in the game. The Blazers added two (2) more in the third for the 6-2 win. Wade Moyls (Kamloops, BC) picked up the win in net for the Blazers.
The South Island Thunderbirds will be at home next weekend when they take on the Cariboo Cougars. Game one (1) is scheduled for Saturday, November 21 at 5:20 pm at the Ian Stewart Complex. The Thompson Blazers will be on the road next weekend when they take on the Vancouver North East Chiefs. Game one (1) is scheduled for Saturday, November 21 at 4:00 pm at the Cam Neely Arena.