Saanich Midget AA captain Callum Brassard fends off several Alaska Oilers players on Sunday, Dec. 28, at the Richmond Oval during the 34th Richmond International Tournament. Saanich won the round-robin game 6-1, then defeated the Seafair Islanders 5-2 later that day.

Saanich Midget AA captain Callum Brassard fends off several Alaska Oilers players on Sunday, Dec. 28, at the Richmond Oval during the 34th Richmond International Tournament. Saanich won the round-robin game 6-1, then defeated the Seafair Islanders 5-2 later that day.

This Week in Saanich Sports (Jan. 2-8): Deadline looms for ball hockey registration

The Saanich Braves Midget B team greets 2015 with the Victoria Ice Hawks Midget Classic tournament Jan. 2 to 4 across the region’s arenas

The Saanich Braves Midget B team greets 2015 with the Victoria Ice Hawks Midget Classic tournament, welcoming some of the best midget teams from Vancouver Island and the Mainland Jan. 2 to 4, scattered across the region’s areans.

Saanich takes to the ice Friday (Jan. 2) at CFB Esquimalt’s Naden Arena, where they’ll face a strong Port Alberni Valley squad at 1 p.m. Jan. 3 brings two games: 7:15 a.m. against Surrey, then 1:15 p.m. against Kerry Park. Both games will be at Oak Bay Rec Centre. The gold medal game will be played Jan. 4 at 9:35 a.m., also at Oak Bay.

Back home at Saanich Minor Hockey’s home arena, the association’s two top Pee Wee teams co-host the SMHA Pee Wee Rep Tournament Jan. 2 to 4. Saanich’s T2 team faces the North Vancouver Storm Jan. 2 at 1:30 p.m., the Juan de Fuca Grizzlies T2 Jan. 3 at 10:30 a.m. and the Victoria Ice Hawks T2 at 4:15 p.m. Saanich’s T3 team takes on JDF T3 Jan. 2 at 9 a.m., the Alberni Bulldogs T3 Jan. 3 at 9 a.m. and the Coquitlam Chiefs T3 at 3 p.m. Playoffs start bright and early Jan. 4, with the first games taking to the ice at 7:55 a.m. All games are at Pearkes Arena.

The Saanich Braves Junior B boys return to the ice tonight (Friday, Jan. 2), hosting the Nanaimo Buccaneers at 6:30 p.m. at Pearkes Rec Centre before enjoying another week off from league play.

The local high school basketball season jumps back into action this week with a host of games on the calendar. Highlights include a very busy Jan. 6 when Spectrum’s senior girls visiting Belmont and Claremont hosting Stelly’s, both going at 5:45 p.m. Claremont also hosts senior boys basketball action with Belmont visiting at 7:30 p.m. Spectrum’s senior boys visit St. Michaels and Reynolds hosts Stelly’s, with both games tipping off at 7:30 p.m. Pacific Christian’s senior teams are both in action at Glenlyon Norfolk School with the girls hitting the hardwood at 5:45 p.m. and the boys following at 7:30 p.m. For the full schedule, see lowerislandschoolsports.ca.

The Vancouver Island Ladies Field Hockey Association returns to the University of Victoria turf Wednesday, Jan. 7, when Lynx 1 take on the Mariners at 6:30 p.m. League play continues in earnest Jan. 10 and 11 with nine games on the calendar.

Looking forward to the spring ball hockey season, Victoria Minor Ball Hockey is accepting applications for head and assistant coaches in all divisions. Those interested are invited to complete the application at https://itgroove42.wufoo.com/forms/z2f8m4t1mr12ts/ by Jan. 31.

The University of Victoria Vikes get back in the action Jan. 9 and 10 when the men’s and women’s basketball teams face the Prairie winter in a Canada West match-up against Winnipeg’s University of Manitoba. The Vikes will be in town the next weekend, when Manitoba makes a return visit to McKinnon Gym Jan.16 and 17.

Camosun Chargers men’s and women’s basketball squads host Vancouver Island University Friday, Jan. 9 at the PISE gym. The women’s game will start at 6 p.m. while the men tip off at 8 p.m.

– Devon Gall is an avid sports fan and athlete attending Grade 12 at Mount Douglas secondary.

 

Saanich News