The Male and Female Pacific Midget Regional Championships took place this past weekend. The Vancouver North West Giants lost the Male Midget Pacific Regional to the Red Deer Rebels 2-1 in the best-of-three series. The Edmonton Thunder defeated the Thompson-Okanagan Rockets 2-0 in the best-of-three, Female Midget Pacific Regional series.
Male Midget Pacific Regional Championship
The Red Deer Rebels took a 2-0 lead into the second period of the first game of the weekend, but the lead was quickly erased with a pair of goals from Connor Rankin (North Vancouver, BC). Unfazed the Rebels regrouped and added two (2) more goals in the final 10 minutes of the frame. The Giants erupted for five (5) unanswered goals in the third period to win game one (1), 7-4. Goal scorers in the third period for the Giants were Griffin Reinhart (West Vancouver, BC), Destry Straight (West Vancouver, BC), Curtis Loik (North Vancouver, BC) with a pair and Connor Rankin with his third of the game.
The Rebels came out strong in the second game and never let up en route to their 5-2 win. Griffin Reinhart scored both goals for the Giants. The Giants were out-shot 34-18.
The third and final game turned into a goaltender dual. The teams exchanged goals in the second period and game remained tied 1-1 after 60 minutes of play. The goal scorer for the Giants was Connor Rankin. With 6:01 remaining in the first overtime Red Deer scored off a battle in front of the Giant’s net to win the series 2-1.
The Red Deer rebels will now advance to the TELUS Cup which is set for April 19-25 in Levis, Quebec.
The Male Midget Pacific Regional was held in Red Deer, AB, April 2-4.
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. Playing at this 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.
Female Midget Pacific Regional Championship
The Edmonton Thunder took a 1-0 lead into the first intermission in game one (1). The Thunder added two (2) more in the second and then two (2) more in the third to win the first game 5-0. In game two (2) the Thunder continued their dominant defensive effort en route to their 3-0 win. The Thompson-Okanagan Rockets battled hard in both games, but were unable to beat the Thunder goaltender.
The Edmonton Thunder will now advance to the ESSO Cup which is set for April 18-24 in Regina, Saskatchewan.
The Female Midget Pacific Regional was held in Kelowna, BC, April 2-4.
The Female Midget AAA League was initiated in the 2007-2008 season in response to the membership’s desire to provide an opportunity for elite female hockey players to come together on zone teams to challenge other elite Female Midget teams.