Men’s registration
A registration meeting is scheduled for the South Okanagan Men’s Soccer League at the Penticton Soccer Clubhouse April 17 from 6-8 p.m. Players are asked to bring cash or a cheque along with their registration form for the cost of the 2014 outdoor season. Pre-season games continue that day and on April 24 when registration begin and team allocations made. Players are asked to bring a white/dark jersey. The league season starts on May 1 and will run until the end of August. Individual fees are $100 per person, which includes membership to the Penticton Soccer Club, social events, insurance and all costs related to over 25 games. Registration and liability forms are be available from the Penticton Soccer Club website and during the pre-season games on April 17 and 24.
Golf savings book
The B.C. Lung Association’s Golf Privilege Club Membership book will help golfers save off the tee. For $35, the membership book entitles golfers to discounts at more than 120 courses across B.C. and Washington State. All proceeds go to the BC Lung Association’s various programs and services. Save on golf while supporting the one in five British Columbians living with breathing problems. Visit www.golfandsave.ca or call 1.800.665.5864.
Penticton runner finishes third in Oliver 10-k run
Penticton’s Amanda Kontkanen placed third on the wonen’s side clocking in at 45 minutes, 58 seconds in the Oliver 10-kilemtre Wine Capital of Canada Interior Road Race Series on April 13. The women’s side was won by Merritt’s Marie-Hosee Bedard in 42:23. The men’s side was won by Kelowna’s Jonathan Menzies in 37:30. The event had 171 finishers.
NHL playoffs
The 2014 NHL playoffs begins Wednesday and the series between the Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets features two former Penticton Vees in Beau Bennett with the Penguins and Ryan Johansen of the Blue Jackets. Johansen played for the Vees in 2008-09. On the Blue Jackets website, their power rankings feature for the first round lists Johansen as a top-five player to watch.
“Few players had a better breakout season than the 21-year-old Johansen, who not only tallied 33 goals but developed a knack for lighting the lamp in clutch situations,” said Blue Jackets.com.
Bennett starred for the Vees in 2009/10. Bennett, who scored the game-winner in Pittsburgh’s most recent meeting with Columbus (a hardfought 2-1 win on March 28) said on Penguins.com his team’s regular-season success against the Blue Jackets doesn’t mean anything in the playoffs.
“I don’t think we should think about that at all,” he said. “We beat Boston three out of three times last year and then they swept us. I think we need to treat it as a new season series.”
The opening two games of the series starts in Pittsburgh at 4:30 p.m. PST.
Former Vee Henry wins NCAA national title
Noah Henry, who played 20 games with the Penticton Vees in 2012-13 before being traded to Powell River, won the National Collegiate Athletic Association men’s ice hockey championship with the Union College Dutchmen Saturday in a 7-4 decision over the Minnesota Golden Gophers, who featured former Vees Mike, Connor and Ryan Reilly. In 30 games with the Dutchmen, Henry had one assist and was plus-2.
LaLeggia gets more recognition
Former Vees defenceman Joey LaLeggia was selected to the AHCA/CCM All-America Second Team. LaLeggia led Denver’s high-scoring defensive unit with 25 points with 12 goals, despite missing five games due to injury. Laleggia scored five power-play goals and one game-winner. He ranked as the 18th highest-scoring defenseman nationally with an average of 0.68 points per game.
“Joey is the straw that stirs the drink for Denver hockey,” said Pioneers coach Jim Montgomery in a team release. “His passion, intensity, and skill was evident every game despite being a focal point for every opponent. We look forward to seeing him grow and lead our team next year with his team-first attitude.”
Laleggia was previously honoured this season as the NCHC Defenceman of the Year and the NCHC Offensive Defenceman of the Year, in addition to earning first-team All-NCHC honors.
