The Salmon Arm Chevy’s Silvertips Pee Wee Tier 2 team finished the season as champions of the Okanagan Mainline Amateur Hockey Association.
The Silvertips beat the Westside Warriors in a hard fought, semi-final, two out of three series in overtime of Game 3, with the winner coming from Tyler Collens to end in a 3-2 score. That tough win set a championship final against Kamloops. Game 1 was played at the Sunwave Centre, with a score of 5-1 for the Silvertips. Tyler Turner led the offensive charge with a hat trick. In Game 2 in Kamloops, the boys again played a strong team game with the result, a 7-1 win, thanks in part to a Nathan Plessis hat trick and solid goaltending by Jason Mailhiot. The Silvertips will now represent the Okanagan at the Pee Wee Tier 2 Provincials in Aldergrove the week of March 19-24.
“This team has been able to show character and poise under all kinds of conditions during the season,” says coach Tony Guerra. “As the team got stronger and learned to trust each other, during both high and low points, the table was set for success.”
Team staff are grateful to a good off-ice exercise regimen by Ron Stanton, as well as mentorship from longtime coach Tom Marsh.
Heading to the provincials are Jason Mailhiot, Bobby Jeffrey, Jack Karran, Eric Johnson, Tirston Ferguson, Joshua Kujat, Kael Amdam, Nathan Plessis, Shane Minnis, Eric Porter, Tyler Turner, Joey Guerra, Matthew Gibbons, Tyler Collens, Alex Astasiewicz, Dawson Head and Noah Bumstead.
Atom Silvertips host
The Salmon Arm Atom Development Silvertips finished up their season this weekend as host team for this year’s OMAHA Atom Development playoffs.
The Laverne Turner Contracting Silvertips tried their hardest this weekend and finished tenth place out of 14 teams. The whole team is to be recognized for their consistent hard work and sportsmanship: Ryan Freed, Trent Thompson, Aaron Plessis, Riley Keyes, Sebastion Archambault, Bryant Cumming, Brayden Haskell, Levyn Radomske, Colton Irmen, Jaron Bootsma, Jordan Fournier, Nicholas Fournier, Jackson Mayes, Noah Paterson, Connor Senn, Logan Ferguson and Koltin Dodge. The coaches and managers were also much appreciated: coach Doug Cumming, assistant coach C. Archambault, trainers Troy Haskell and Daron Mayes, and team manager Kelly Fournier. The assistance of Kim Dodge was also appreciated.
Apaches out-played
On Feb. 28, the Vernon Apaches tried to keep up to the Salmon Arm Blackburn Pee Wee Silverblades but with little success.
The first two goals were scored by Donte Nowell, the assists went to Kyle Clark who did a good job keeping the way to the net clear, and Curtis Bannister was a big part of the play for the goals.
Jacob Oberst had a good night by getting a hat trick. Assisting him were Brandon Jalving and Mikayla Stirling. Jake Buffie from defence worked hard setting up Oberst for his hat tricks. Clark nabbed two goals by beating the Apaches goalie with help from Ella Ross and Justin Dodge. Last goal of the night went to Bannister. Cameron McGregor helped set up the goal. The Apaches were outplayed and out-scored, giving Alex Sherwood an easy time in goal. Final score: Silverblades 8, Apaches 3.
On March 5, the Silverblades faced the Vernon Hitmen, a team ready for a win. The Hitmen came out fast looking for that all-important first goal. They got it, but the Silverblades answered back.
Nowell was hot throughout the game. His assists came from Clark, Steven Luchkanych and Stirling, who kept the Hitmen busy so he could score his hat trick.
Oberst also bagged a hat trick with help from Josh Neiwenhuizen, Clark and McGregor.
Final score Silverblades 6, Hitmen 4.
On March 6, the Silverblades went head to head with the Salmon Arm Askew’s Ambush. Bannister opened the scoring, assisted by Nowell.
With some fancy skating, Oberst then single-handedly put one past the goalie. With help from Luchkanych, Neiwenhuizen netted one. Dodge with his deadly wrist shot blasted two past the Hitmen goalie. Both goals were assisted by Donte Nowell. Ella Ross, assisted by Jake Buffie, rounded out the scoring. Final score: Silverblades 6, Askews Ambush 3.
Championships March 21 to 24
The BC Provincial Midget Tier 2 Championships are upcoming, to be hosted in Salmon Arm on March 21 to 24. The Carri’s Restaurant Midget Silvertips will be host team.
Rocketing win
The Thompson Okanagan Female Midget AAA Rockets played their final league game on the weekend versus the Vancouver Fusion.
The Rockets dominated the first game, winning 5-1. Salmon Arm players tallying points were Janessa Jenkins with a goal, assisted by Shylah Gibb. On Sunday, despite 31-17 shots in favour of the Rockets, the Fusion won 1-0. Jenkins earned an assist.
Playoff action for the Rockets starts on March 18 in Kelowna where they face the winner of round one.
