A pair of 8-6 victories highlighted the second day at the 31st annual Richmond International Midget Tournament for the Vernon Home Building Centre Vipers Wednesday.
The Tier 1 Vipers topped the San Jose Jr. Sharks in the morning and the Spokane Jr Chiefs in the evening by the same score at the Richmond Ice Centre. Game MVP defenceman Conor Payne turned the hat trick on three blasts from the point against the Sharks with Cody Hendrickson contributing two goals and three assists.
Justin Mitchell notched a sweet backhander, along with two assists, while singles also went to Curtis Sexsmith and Dennon Leibel. Trevor Pickett and defenceman Ryan Beach contributed two assists to the winning cause while Max Brown got the victory in net.
Evan Campagnolo returned from a serious injury after six weeks to get the win in net against Spokane. Sexsmith scored his second of the game (2+2) into an empty net to secure the victory while Beach also hit the back of the net twice. Game MVP Leibel pocketed a goal and an assist while Braydon Sophonow, Pickett and Logan Geefs also scored for the Vipers.
The Vipers, who are playing with only 11 skaters due to injuries, opened with a 4-3 loss to the Anchorage North Stars Tuesday morning. A pair of goals by Sexsmith and a single from Leibel pegged Vernon to a 3-0 first-period lead before Anchorage stormed back with four unanswered strikes. Pickett chipped in with three assists.
The Vipers played their final round-robin contest against the South Delta Storm Thursday afternoon.
Meanwhile, the Vernon Battery Chargers used singles from Cory Hug, Nick Pantaleo and Lynden Enger to ice Surrey 3-2 at the at the Ridge Meadows Juvenile Rep Tournament Wednesday in Maple Ridge. Travis Hoy picked up win.
Forward Eli Longworth then supplied Vernon’s lone goal in a 1-1 tie with Abbotsford.
The Chargers, coached by Glenn (Stumpy) Mitchell and Keith Louis, won their first game Tuesday 6-2 over the Ridge Meadows Flames.
Clay Ricketts fired three goals for Vernon, with singles from Clifford High, Theo Wagner and Aaron Campeau. Denan Bosk bagged four helpers.
Hoy was ejected for fighting midway through the second period.
“Eli Longworth put on Trav’s gear and was awesome,” said Mitchell.
Vernon faced Langley Thursday night, the winner advancing to Friday’s AA final.
The Okanagan Major Midget Rockets split their opening games at the 33rd annual Mac’s Midget AAA Tournament in Calgary.
The Rockets got singles from five different players in their opening 5-4 win over the York Simcoe Express of Aurora, Ont. Tuesday.
Vernon products Mat Lambert and Jordan Burns, along with Mitchell Cook (Kelowna), Josh Ellis (Kelowna) and Parker Bowles (Calgary) handled the offence in front of Brenden Mills (West Kelowna, 21 saves).
Mac Ferner and Harlan Orr, both of Vernon, added assists.
Bowles, assisted by Brett Mennear (West Kelowna) had Okanagan’s lone goal in a 3-1 loss to the Leduc Chrysler Oil Kings of Alberta Wednesday.
The Rockets faced the Prince Albert Mintos Thursday afternoon and end the round-robin today against the Calgary Buffaloes.
