The Calgary Springbank Whalers clipped the Vernon Watkin Motors Mustangs 4-3 Thursday morning to open the 42nd Coca-Cola Classic Pee Wee Invitational Hockey Tournament at Civic Arena.
The Mustangs grabbed a 3-0 lead midway through the first period with CJ. Storey, Coleton Bilodeau and Josh Bridge supplying goals in a six-minute span. Just two minutes after Bridge connected, Calgary responded with snipes by Dylan Holloway and Jack Thompson, 67 seconds apart.
Michael Hodge equalized with eight minutes gone in the second period, while Jackson Zloty put the Whalers ahead with 72 seconds left in the session. Nick Bischoff and captain Jonathan Tychonick drew assists.
Nick Higgs was in the Mustang net for 40 minutes, giving way to Jordan Wilde for the third period. Riley Fonger went the distance for Calgary, who are coached by former NHLer Geoff Sanderson.
Vernon meets the Hollyburn Huskies of West Vancouver in tonight’s feature game (6:00, Civic). The Nanaimo Clippers, Edmonton Seera Icemen, Calgary Southland Sabres, Spokane Jr. Chiefs and defending champion Vancouver Thunderbirds round out the eight-team event.
