Finlayson lands trio of medals
Matt Finlayson of the Apex Freestyle Club earned solid results during the B.C. Series 1 event. Not only did Finlayson earn a silver medal in the big air event in the 12 and up age group, and silver in moguls, he also won gold in the slopestyle event.
Ironman Canada Vees secure first
Penticton’s midget Ironman Canada Vees defeated the Okanagan Hockey Academy 7-3. The Vees then wrapped up first place in the OMAHA league by beating the Westside Warriors 8-2 in West Kelowna on Sunday. Leading the scoring for Penticton was Liam Neary with one goal and three assists. Eric Buckley also contributed with two goals and one assist, while Bryson McKinnon was strong between the pipes. The Vees still have two league games remaining next weekend with a home game against Salmon Arm on Saturday and an away game against Kelowna on Sunday. League playoffs begin Feb. 3.
Broncos and Wolverines score wins
The Mule Broncos defeated the Hitmen 5-1. Josh Seddon, Jamie Low, Jordan Moss, Jared Holmes and Doug Leitner provided the Broncos’ offence. Mike Bezugley scored the lone Hitmen goal. It was a 9-8 decision for the Peacock’s Perch Wolverines against the EcoDry Ice Dogs. Aric Stickey scored four times for the Wolverines, while Tyler Janzen and Andy McGinn scored twice. Ryan Sjoberg tallied one. Hattricks were scored by Gord Henderson and Nick Riep for the Ice Dogs. Darren Belanger scored twice.
Men’s indoor soccer
OK Awards Plus improved to 2-1-8 with a 7-6 win against Rona in men’s indoor soccer action. Ken Horncastle led the OK Awards Plus with three goals. For Rona, it was Kevin Kothlow with five goals. TC Auto improved to 7-0-4 with a 4-1 win against AM Surveying. Dave Crompton led TC Auto with two goals, while Al Menzies scored the lone goal for AM Surveying.
Former Vees shining in college
Former Penticton Vees Joel Rumpel and Joey Laleggia were named rookie of the week and player of the week in their respective leagues. Rumpel, a freshman netminder with the University of Wisconsin shared the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s honour with University of Denver forward Ty Loney. Rumpel earned his first collegiate shutout with a 36-save, 4-0 gem against host Minnesota State Jan. 13 and then went on to stop 29 of 31 shots on goal in a 3-0 (empty netter) setback to the Mavericks Jan. 14. For the series, Rumpel stopped 65 of 68 shots on goal for a .956 save percentage with four shutout periods. In two seasons with the Vees, Rumpel compiled a 46-15-3 record with a 2.34 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage.
Laleggia, a defenceman with the University of Denver, received the Red Baron WCHA Defensive honour for Jan. 17. The Burnaby native, who recorded five points, earned a plus-two rating and had six hits and two blocked shots helping the Pioneers forge a two-game league sweep over visiting Bemidji State. Laleggia netted a go-ahead goal and one assist in DU’s 6-3 triumph over the Beavers at Magness Arena last Jan. 13. He then came back on Jan. 14 to assist on all three Denver goals in a 3-2 comeback win over BSU, including one on teammate Jason Zucker’s game-winning goal. Laleggia leads all NC A A Division I rookie blueliners in points (24), goals (nine) and assists (15) this season. He has also put together a six-game point-scoring streak during which he has 11 points (three goals, eight assists). He also ranks second among WCHA defenceman in goals and third in points. In two seasons in Penticton, Laleggia recorded 33 goals and 114 assists in 114 games.
