Eight teams participated in a bantam rep tournament in Nelson this weekend, and the Leafs placed third overall.
“Our guys performed quite well. We had a really good first round-robin, undefeated, but then in the Sunday morning game we just didn’t show up and didn’t put our best foot forward,” said coach Kyle Mace.
The team lost to the Greater Trail Smoke Eaters, who went on to take the top spot for the weekend, with a score of 5-0.
Teams from Vancouver Island, Alberta and other surrounding areas traveled to the meet. They praised Nelson’s facilities and how well the organization was run, said Mace.
“There’s a really great history in the Civic, and it’s complemented by the new facility. Every team we spoke to said they want to come back,” he said.
The bantam Leafs have three more league games before a playoff showdown with Trail. The winners of the best of three series will be attending this year’s provincial championships.
“We have to be physical, and we have to have every play at the top of their ability. As a team we haven’t played one game where we’ve been at 100 per cent of each kid’s capability, and it we do that we’ll be just fine. We need the team to come together.”
He said though the boys were disappointed with the outcome, their play proved how far they’ve come in training.
“There was great goaltending, great defense. Our power play was phenomenal. It was a great team effort,” he said.
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