Lazar boosts Team Canada in Slovakia
Vernon’s Curtis Lazar has three points in two games at the Under 18 Ivan Hlinka Memorial hockey tournament in Piestany, Slovakia.
Lazar, a 6-foot, 190-pound forward, fired the Team Canada’s opening goal in a 4-1 win over Switzerland Monday. The Edmonton Oil Kings’ sniper added a powerplay goal and assist as the the four-time defending champion Canadians outlasted Sweden 7-5 a day later at Zimny Stadion.
Canada can win their four-team B pool with a win over host Slovakia today. Playoffs begin Friday. The U.S., Russia, Finland and Czech Republic are battling in the A pool.
Canada, coached by ex-NHLer Todd Gill, have earned 20 minors over the two games.
“We really have to cut down on that,” Gill told Canadian Press. “A lot of them were stick penalties where the defenceman has a man going wide and gives him that little tap that we’re used to doing but it hits the other player’s stick and we’re in the box all night.”
Gill coached the Brockville Braves vs the Vernon Vipers in the 2010 RBC Cup in Dauphin, Man.
Summer curling on tap at PV Arena
Dave Merklinger has designed a great way to beat the summertime blues.
The energized Vernon Curling Club manager will help put sheets of ice in Priest Valley Arena for an inaugural summer bonspiel, with a Hawaiian twist, Aug. 23-26.
He’s also hired some prime local entertainment for a couple of dances with The Goods scheduled to play the curling club for the Friday night corn roast and wine tasting, and Mace booked for Saturday’s social.
“We’re going to have a good time,” said Merklinger. “We’re going to have 32 teams (co-ed) and we’ve only got four spots left.”
Teams are guaranteed four games and draw times will allow for morning golf outings. Entry fee is just $75 and teams may register by calling the curling club at 250-542-6713 or e-mailing: vcc@vernoncurlingclub.com.
In addition, world-class curlers Brad Kuhn and Jim Cotter will join Merklinger and Salmon Arm’s Daryl Horne as instructors for a junior clinic and spiel, Aug. 21-23, at PV Arena.
Juniors will receive instruction in the mornings and play games in the afternoons. Cost for the clinic is $150. Call the curling club.
Female hockey players required
Female players aged 11-17 are needed to ensure Vernon has Pee Wee and Bantam/Midget Rep hockey teams this coming season.
“We really need some more players to register or we will end up having to cancel the teams,” said coach Keith Tucker.
Girls interested in playing Rep are urged to call female division director Arnie Head at 542-4096 or the minor hockey office at 542-0754. Rob Bauml and Brent Magnus are the other Rep coaches.
Meanwhile, the U14 level of the Female High Performance Program will feature camps in six districts throughout the province, including the Okanagan zone, Aug. 24-26 at Wesbild Centre.
The U14 Zone Camps are open to athletes aged 11 to 13 based on the calendar year (born in 1999, 2000 and 2001). Fourteen-year-olds (1999) are welcome to attend the fall camp and then continue to the U16 program camps in January, 2013.
Athletes must be registered members of B.C. Hockey in order to attend the camps. To register, e-mail Chris Wagner at: okfhpdc@bchockey.net.
Quotable…
“Watching Phil Mickelson play golf is like watching a drunk chasing a balloon near the edge of a cliff.” – Golf broadcaster David Feherty.
