Round 1 needed an extra game, and Primal Electric, a 100 Mile House Peewee Rep hockey team, came out on top.
Riley McLean was a wall, Ethan Sanders was an overtime hero, and everyone skated with incredible heart in what turned out to be a remarkable first round playoff series with Prince George.
Following a 5-5 tie and 3-2 win in Prince George, Primal Electric hosted what was suppose to be a final best-of-three game at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre on Feb. 17.
Prince George won 2-1 and the series was evened at 1-1-1.
Since there was a tie, penalty minutes were said to be the deciding factor in the series, and the team with less would move on to play Quesnel in Round 2.
However, 100 Mile House successfully appealed that tie-breaker decision – because Prince George didn’t schedule enough ice time to complete Game 1, which was called a 5-5 tie – and the local skaters went back to Prince George on Feb. 21 for a fourth and deciding game.
Adding to the dramatics, the extra contest went into overtime, during which Sanders found the back of the net, with assists by Sienna Monical and Ryan Allan, to clinch the series with a 5-4 win.
100 Mile House coach Cale Tessaro says the team worked extremely hard throughout the playoffs, and they played their best hockey all season.
“The kids really bought into work ethic and their heart was incredible the last six weeks.”
Tessaro praised the play of McLean, the 100 Mile House goaltender, in the Prince George series. According to the coach, McLean didn’t just save a bunch of pucks, he saved their bacon, too.
“He was a tower. The Prince George coaching staff had nothing but compliments for him after the game. He played well beyond his years.”
Primal Electric was eliminated by Quesnel in Round 2 of the Cariboo Amateur Hockey Association playoffs, following an 8-4 loss on Feb. 22 and 3-1 loss on Feb. 23.
In Game 1, Sanders (2), Allan and Levi McQueen scored for 100 Mile House. Assists were made by Tanner Hooper (3), Allan and Owen Pincott.
Hooper scored 100 Mile House’s only goal on Feb. 23. Assists went to McQueen and Marshall Tessaro.
Ryan Balbirnie was also outstanding in net for 100 Mile House. Balbirnie played part of Game 1 and all of Game 2.
