The Canadian Fishing Co. Midget Rep Seawolves are the proud champions of the Skeena Valley Zone Championship hosted by Terrace. In their first game, the Seawolves were down 3-1 in the first period against Smithers with a lone goal from Josh Kierce. Things started to heat up at the end of the third period as Jordan Weir got the second goal and Kierce tied it up at the 3:38 mark. The two teams settled for a 3-3 tie and one point each.
The Seawolves took to the ice later that night to play Terrace; the number one ranked team and took a healthy first period 2-0 lead with goals from: Brady Ward from Weir, Kierce and Weir from Greg Loroff. Terrace responded by tying the game by the end of the first period. The two teams battled in the second period but goal tenders denied any scoring opportunities, Colby Hogman played net for Prince Rupert. At the 6:50 mark in the third, Rupert took the lead with goals from: Marcus Atchison from Tyler Ostrom, Weir from Kierce, and Jaden Archer from Bryce Meers. Terrace responded with another goal with 4.7 seconds left on the clock however, Rupert took the game 5-4.
Sunday started at 8:00am with the Seawolves taking on Kitimat. The Seawolves took an early lead of 3-1 after the first period with goals from: Ward from Kierce and Sten Sundin, Kierce from Ward, and Weir from Ward. The second period Kitimat came back strong scoring 3 goals, however Rupert added a couple of their own with help from: Ostrom from Atchison, and Josh Kierce unassisted. The third period started with another goal by Kitimat making it a tied game at 5-5 at the 11:54 mark. Rupert responded at 8:47 by another unassisted goal by Josh Kierce. Tyler Girbav sealed the deal at the 2:59 with an unassisted goal to end the game in the Seawolves favour 7-5. Rupert was now going to the final with 2 wins and a tie, playing once again Terrace for their final game.
After resting, the Seawolves took the ice Sunday afternoon to play Terrace. They had beaten them once in this tournament but could they do it again. Terrace opened the scoring at 14:28 and 7:45 and took the lead over Rupert 2-0. However, with 3:52 left in the first period, Ward and Meers made a nice pass to Atchison who buried the puck, 2-1 Terrace. The second period Rupert came out strong scoring yet another goal by the now beloved Josh Kierce from Sundin and Ostrom and Jordan Aubee from Atchison and Ostrom. Talk about a nail biter, after the second period the score was now 3-2 in favour of Rupert. As always, the Seawolves came out strong in the third period, (thanks to Linda and Cheech) and Kenny Ree-Hembling got a key goal assisted by Jordan Vendittelli, bringing Rupert ahead 4-2. However, Terrace responded at 16:52 with a quick goal and then tied the game 4-4 at the 7:45 mark. With 1:31 left on the clock the dazzling duo of Kierce and Weir made a pass back to their D-man, Tyler Ostrom who took a big slap shot and scored. For the second time, once in 2006-2007 and now in 2011-2012, this team brings home the Zone Championship Banner. The Midget Rep Seawolves will be off to play in the Provincials on March 18-25th in Osoysoos BC.
