Peewee (boys) — After a year hiatus with low numbers wanting to play peewee rep hockey, the Sooke Minor Hockey Association has fielded a squad which opened their schedule over the weekend with games against Port Alberni/Port McNeil and Saanich. The team made up of some strong players supported by an excellent coaching staff, vibrant parent volunteer group, team sponsors and strong goaltending got on the board with a 2-0 win against the team from up Island.
It was the first “body contact” game for the sooke youngsters and they adjusted well with some clean checking and nice open ice hits. Oustanding play from defencemen Aiden Lindal, Kai Berger, and Nin Dougall with offensive leadership from Tyson Friesen, James Vance, Robbie Lowerison and strong goaltending from Shawn Parkinson. Guided by Craig Didmon, Victoria Royals Assistant Coach and Director of Behind the Bench Hockey program, along with Martin Knowles, Jason Frieson, Bill Greenhough, Kevin Berger with conditioning coach Nancy Parkinson, the team has set a goal of improving every game and practice. In particular, they are working on skills with emphasis on improving defence, mobility and forechecking with an eye on possibly advancing to provincials for peewee A tier 3. Great start to the season and continued fun times.
(Girls) — It was also a great start for the peewee girls hockey season. Last Saturday they won their first exhibition games against Juan de Fuca. A perfect performance from goalie Michelle Lacombe, four goals from Alyssa Lloyd, two for Olivia Carello and the last one for Rory Wood for a final score of 7-0. Good job girls!
Midget — Sooke midget rep continued pre-season action in two away games this past weekend. The first match resulted in an 8-2 victory vs Juan De Fuca with Tom Kirk potting two goals midway in the first, one unassisted and one with the assist of Quinton MacDonnell. Luke Pitrie then found the back of the net with an assist from Nick Pfeifer. Solid defence in the first period from Brendan David and Linden White with top notch goaltending of Tyler Oleksiew kept JDF off the board. In the second period effective passing from Alfred Nelson and Braeden Swaile set up Trevor Wickem to make it 4-0. Ryan Seeburger added one unassisted before, late in the second, JDF finally got on the board with two making it 5-2. But that would be it, as in the last period it was all Sooke with unassisted goals from Braden Senft and Jared Pleasants and one last stinger from Jared Pleasants with assist from Brendan David.
Sunday afternoon found the team in a fast-paced game vs Campbell River with a strong first period and an early goal by Luke Pitrie with assist of Quinton MacDonnell. Campbell River came back to tie and then add two more. In the second Brendan Cornbill found the back of the net making it 3-2. Netminder Nick Dueck was kept busy along with his defensive group including Brendan David, Ryan Elder and Brandon Cornbill, but with several power plays, Campbell River forged ahead. Early in the third, Braden Senft scored with the assist from Linden White making the score 6-3. Later Tom Kirk’s shot allowed Luke Pitrie to pot Sooke’s last goal, with an end result Sooke 4, Campbell River 7.
Atom — Sooke Minor Hockey atom boys (House 2) played two exhibition games against Kerry Park on the weekend. Sooke won both games 12-3 and 15-0. It was a strong team effort with solid goaltending from Matthew Ryan and goals from Thomas Lowerison, Mercer Balzer, Drue Mazar-Volek and Nick Lacroix to name a few.
