Morning Star Staff
The Nedco Coyotes go into the Valley Midget Rec Hockey Tournament tonight in Lumby with their offence cranked on extreme high.
Adam Roemer and Brett Jewell both pulled hat tricks as the Coyotes bounced the Vernon Authentic Plaque & Trophy Autobots 11-5 in the Okanagan North Super League playoff final Monday night at Kal Tire Place.
The Coyotes, who won the regular-season banner at 16-1-1, rung up five unanswered goals in a 4:28 span early in the first period. Brock Wagner, with a deuce, and Dominic Loosli got the Autobots back in the game before the period ended.
“I guess our boys were amped up for this one,” said Nedco head coach Ross Jewell. “What a crazy start to a game – I don’t think either bench could believe how fast the first five goals went in. Then the anxiety level on our bench rose sharply when they answered back with three quick ones.
“Thankfully Trey Spanier came up with some huge saves at key times and we were able to bury a couple chances to settle things down and turn the tide back our way. The Autobots didn’t get many good bounces and we got a few, or it could have been a different story. Their team played hard right until the end, and they played clean…”
Jewell had a blast guiding the Coyotes, getting help from Brent Magnus, Mark Wasylyk, Terry Keryluke and Brad Shaigec. They open the Valley tourney at 6:15 p.m. against the host Lumby Stars.
“Their positive attitudes and support for each other has made it a very rewarding year. We faced some adversity in the round-robin portion of the playoffs, but the boys dug in once the semifinal started and seemed to get better every period after that. I’m proud of them for the success they have earned through their hard work, determination and love of the game. Hopefully, we can keep it rolling for one more weekend.”
Aaron Keryluke, with 2+2, Mack Wilton, Adam Sacht and Cameron Sawdon supplied singles for the Coyotes, who got two assists from Brett Lambert.
Lee Brodoway and Daniel Desjarlais rounded out the fifth-place Autobots’ offence.
The Coyotes doubled the Stars 8-4, while the Autobots stunned the Vernon Seed Orchard Snakes 6-3 in Sunday semifinals.
Jewell and Keryluke each pocketed hat tricks for the Coyotes, singles going to the hustling Roemer and hard-working Nik Wasylyk, on a sweet wrap-around. Jakob Alexis made a gorgeous move and fed Jewell for the first goal of the game. Dusty Beckner was solid in net.
Centre Kristian Currie ignited the Autobots with three goals, while Wagner added 1+2 and Brodoway had a single. Isaiah Wenger counted two assists in front of a superb Jared Larsen. It was 5-1 Autobots at the ice clean.
Austin Bosquet, Nikolai Negraiff and Chris Gallant countered for the Snakes, who had Bryce Dyck in net.
The Coyotes smothered Blackurn Excavating of Salmon Arm 9-1, while the Autobots and Snakes tied 4-4 in final preliminary games Saturday.
In B side Pee Wee action, the Billy D’s Family Restaurant Xplosion lost 6-3 to the Salmar Classic Hornets Sunday at Nor-Val Sports Centre.
Liam Reid, with a deuce, and Dawson Martian pocketed goals for the Xplosion. Kevin Morgan, Brady Horton and Zack Laranjo had assists,
Said Xplosion coach Dan Wilson, on behalf of assistant coaches, Blaine Martian and Greg Louis, Jason Clarke, and team manager, Fay Jeberg: “We had our share of peaks and valleys this season, and overall, we had a sucessful season because everyone on the team had fun improving their skills. Hats off to Eric Foufoulas who was voted the Best Goalie by the other Vernon Pee Wee coaches.”
Vernon Lakeside Printing Blackhawks fell 6-1 to eventual Atom A champion Sicamous Eagles Saturday with Rylan Petty scoring for the Hawks, from Connor Cecchini. Donovan Phillips took the gold jersey for the Hawks.
The M&K Ready Mix Rockets lost 6-2 to the Salmon Arm Save On Foods Oil Kings in the Atom B side final.
Outstanding saves by Matthew Kuhnlein kept the Rockets close for two periods. Scotty Hoffman scored on a coast-to-coast rush, while solid forechecking came from CJ Maleniza, Nic Morgan, Nolan Thomas, and Riley Kimble, who enjoyed a breakout game.
Damian Glover hustled to loose pucks and scored once, Max Stewart and Brody Wright backchecked hard and strong defence was provided by Levi Vanderdeen, Bradley Halvorson, Jon Finlayson, Kayden Bowering, Bryce Lauer, and Dylan Wapple. David Ivanoff delivered some beauty breakout passes.
Sicamous doubled Lumby 4-2 in the A final. Both teams advance to the Valleys in Lumby.
