Morning Star Staff
The Vernon Interior Savings Lions shaded West Kelowna Warriors 4-3 in Sundays final of the 12-team Vernon Bantam Breakout Rec Hockey Tournament at Priest Valley Arena.
Landen Harrison, with a deuce, Tage Kineshanko and Masiun Ang-Hamilton, with the winner, handled the Lions’ offence. Zach Manthorne and Wyatt Gatzke drew assists on Ang-Hamilton’s snipe late in the second period.
The third period saw a lot of opportunities both ways with Elias Wery, Keenon Jeberg, Ryan Vandesande and Tanner Bueckert playing great two-way hockey. Jared Ross was superb in net.
Vernon opened by stopping the Kelowna Kings 7-2 on goals by Sapian Joe, Manthorne, Aidan Rivard, Ang-Hamilton, Vandesande, Harison and Kineshanko.
The Lions, coached by Paul Wery and Justin Joe, then brushed back Penticton 5-3 with snipes from Ang-Hamilton, Manthorne, Joe, Harison and Joe again, on fabulous feeds by hard working Caleb James and Ang-Hamilton.
The Interior Savings crew finished Saturday by gaining a 5-5 tie with gritty Grand Forks.
Kineshanko was sent in on a breakaway from Harison to net the 5-5 equalier. Jacob Baycroft provided stellar two-way play in support of Ross.
Vandesande and Derek Kineshanko each recorded deuces as the Lions ambushed the Five Star Awards Outlaws 7-1 in the semifinals Sunday morning.
Harison, Pereboom and Joe added singles.
The Lumby Stars lost 4-0 to Kelowna in Sunday’s final of their Winter Midget Female Hockey Classic at Pat Duke Memorial Arena.
Kelowna, who are first in their league, led 1-0 before the weary Stars gave up three goals in the final six minutes.
Coached by Jon Kineshanko, Steve Cousins,Chris Pryor and Ashley Tinney, the Stars opened with a 4-1 win over Chase Saturday morning.
Kalen Webster jumpstarted the Stars’ scoring on assists by Vanessa Yaremcio and Wynter Vanderveen. Morgan Holland and Haylee Gosselin assisted Vanderveen on the second goal.
Josey Nerling and Demi Williamson combined for the third snipe with Nerling adding the empty netter. Goalie Josie Sexsmith and the Stars’ defence were marvellous. Webster earned MVP.
The Stars lost 2-1 to Kamloops with Kamloops getting a weak goal with 46 seconds remaining. Webster and Josey Nerling teamed up for the Lumby goal. Ashton Jones(back from injured list) and Taylor Sexsmith had strong games, while Emily Romailler was named MVP.
The Stars grounded Merritt 7-2 in a penalty-filled affair Sunday morning.
Vanderveen had a hat trick and earned MVP. Taylor Cousins, Romailler, Nerling and Webster supplied singles.
Romailler’s goal came after stepping out of the penalty box and putting in the backhand. Kendra Jones turned in dynamic defence.
Lumby clipped Kamloops 3-2 in a dramatic semifinal Sunday morning.
Webster knotted the game 1-1 in the second period and with four minutes left in the third, Webster, Gosselin and Nerling combined for the 2-2 goal.
The game went to a shootout with Sexsmith facing eight shooters and allowing only one goal. Gosselin netted the Stars’ first goal. Payton Kineshanko scored her second goal of the year and the place went crazy.
The Lumby Stars won the 24-team Kamloops Atom Blast Tournament by toppling the Chilliwack Chiefs 4-3 in Sunday’s final.
Goalie James Wraight, played his best game of the year in making several all-planet saves. Colton Young (2), Jace Catt, shorthanded, and Bryden Murray provided the offence.
The Stars beat three Kamloops squads in the round-robin, including a 5-0 win over previously undefeated Kamloops Brawlers.
In the semifinals, a midnight waterslide run couldn’t keep the Stars down as they used their speed to get past Kelowna Red Wolves 6-1.
Coach Derek Murray praised all 17 kids for a great tourney effort.
“They are nine- and 10-year-old kids so our focus as coaches is always on the fun and remembering to enjoy the game of hockey, because it is the best game around,” said Murray. “But when that puck drops, this group of kids just seem to know when to turn it up; they are a pleasure to coach. We have a great coaching staff who get along and share a lot of laughs, I think that only helps our players stay loose in tough situations”
