A top-five finish at the Tier 4 B.C. provincial hockey championships is a great result for Prince Rupert’s Peewee rep team, said team officials in late March.
Coaches Bruce Watkinson and Brett Stava instilled discipline and work ethic on their team that translated into a great year. The bonus of a fifth-place showing at provincials, created a bonding experience for the teammates as they battled in the tourney, taking place at North Okanagan from March 13-17.
The tournament featured a round robin format, with the two teams with the best records after six games competing for the championship.
“If we had won our last game against Kelowna, we would have qualified for the championship final game. Unfortunately, we came up against a hot goalie and some bad puck luck. In the end we finished in fifth place,” said coach Watkinson.
The Seawolves opened with a 1-1 tie against Vancouver. Their next matchup was a 5-4 win versus Langley.
The athletes dropped their third game, 3-2 to North Okanagan. However, they bounced back in their next game against Fernie (eventual champions), 5-2.
After a 4-4 tie vs Vanderhoof, the deciding game that would send the Peewees to the finals, the athletes played to a tough 4-0 loss to Kelowna.
“It was a very tight tournament. Going into action on the final day, five of the seven teams still had a chance for medals,” added Watkinson.
The top scorers for Prince Rupert included Nolan Stava, who tallied three goals and four assists. He must have learned a thing or two from watching his dad in the CARHA recreational league when he showed up.
Braeden Anderson had three goals and two assists. Luke Rabel also scored three times and added two apples.
Arlen DesChamp had two goals and three helpers and Kade Jones finished with four goals and one assist. Fernie defeated North Okanagan 1-0 in the final.
