Tambellini tops BCHL draft list
Adam Tambellini’s double-overtime Fred Page Cup-winning goal didn’t just help the Surrey Eagles claim the B.C. Hockey League title.
It boosted the former Vernon Vipers’ stock in Central Scouting’s final rankings heading into this summer’s NHL Entry Draft.
Tambellini, a rangy centre with a deceptive shot, was listed 42nd among North American skaters. Projected to be a second-round pick, he is the highest prospect in the CJHL, which represents 10 junior leagues across Canada. The Edmonton native leapt 20 spots from the mid-term poll.
Six other BCHL skaters made the Central Scouting list, including Vernon product Jedd Soleway, a former Viper forward now with the Penticton Vees, listed at 131.
Ex-Viper Kevin Guiltinan, a blueliner with the Prince George Spruce Kings, slotted in at No. 162.
Green Rockets blank Capri
The Green Rockets showed they are a team to be reckoned with in the North Okanagan Women’s Soccer Association Tier 2 division.
The Rockets cruised to a 3-0 win over Capri Insurance for their first win of the season Thursday night on Marshall Field #2.
The whole team showed plenty of hustle, with goals coming from Melanie Purr, Karmyn O’Shea, and Sam Audley. Shantelle Price and Deneen Tomlinson worked their butts off.
Sunterra Custom Homes Sistas! won by forfeit over Chick Kickers OMG on Marshall #4.
The teams ended up playing a friendly as the Chicks were short bodies and then got an injury.
Meanwhile, in men’s 55+ soccer action, Kal Tire blanked Winfield 3-0 Thursday night on Marshall Field.
Al Bensmiller opened the scoring with the goal of the game, taking a slick breakaway feed from Jenne Huberts to go in alone on the Winfield keeper. Rob Culos and Jim Sparrow capped the Kal Tire attack.
Injured centreback-turned-goalie Roger Irvin earned Sleeman’s Man of the Match for his steady presence in the crease.
Kimoto storms 75 bracket
At 75 years of age, Ray Kimoto isn’t exactly a rookie. However, the longtime fixture at the Kalamalka Country Club is making the most of his debut in a new age bracket on the masters tennis circuit.
Kimoto won the men’s 75 singles championship at the Vancouver Lawn Tennis and Badminton Club, icing the No. 2 ranked Norman Hughes of Vancouver, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2.
He swept Vancouver’s Bob Hallam, 6-0, 6-0, in the quarterfinals, then upended Saskatoon’s Art Reil, 3-6, 6-2, 6-2, in the semis. Reil took out the No. 1 seeded Gordon Verge of Vancouver Island in earlier play.
In doubles action, Kimoto and Walter Tofolli (Vancouver) fell in the semifinals to the No. 2 seeded Vancouver duo of Hughes and Howard Lowe, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.
Kimoto’s next tournament will be the B.C. Seniors Championships, June 1-9, at the Jericho Tennis Club in Vancouver.
Quotable…
ESPN columnist Rick Reilly (@ReillyRick), via Twitter, on the lack of high-end quarterback talent in this week’s NFL Draft in New York City: “Ranking the top 5 QBs in this draft is like ranking the top 5 ski resorts in Kansas.”
