The Vernon Nedco Dudes iced Seafair Islanders 5-2 in Monday’s final of the Icebreaker Midget Rec Hockey Tournament in Richmond.
The Dudes, who lost 7-4 to Seafair in their preliminary opener, built an early 2-0 lead on goals by Brenden and Dallas Zupp.
Richmond equalized before the Dudes responded with goals by both the Zupp brothers and Taylor Hamilton-Gee.
The Dudes, coached by Darren Zupp, Daryl Brodoway and Brent Magnus, clipped the Vernon Seed Orchard Ducks 2-1 in a semifinal thriller.
With Kyle Evans in the penalty box for crosschecking, power forward Kristian Currie sprung loose behind the d-men and went backhand roof for the winner with 20 seconds left, sending the Dudes to the championship game. Goalie Jared Larsen and Julian Darkazani drew assists.
Currie (game MVP) and Daniel Deshane of the Ducks swapped first-period goals.
The Dudes earlier shut down Peninsula of Sidney 3-0 and slammed Saanich 13-4. Other game MVP awards for the Nedco crew went to goalies Corey Lehoux and Larsen, and forwards Kolton Kirschner and Brenden Zupp.
The Ducks, coached by Tom Goebel and Chris Martin, opened the eight-team tournament by ambushing Victoria 12-0 behind hat tricks from Aaron Kerryluke and Chris Gallant.
Liam MacPhee and Kerryluke each bagged a deuce as the Seed Orchard bunch bounced Seafair 8-2 later Saturday.
On Sunday, the Ducks and Kamloops battled to a 5-5 tie with Solomon Ivanoff earning 2+1 and singles going to MacPhee, Gallant and Steven Goebel.
Ducks’ MVPs were Keryluke, Tim Ufimtseff, Brett Shaigec and Deshane.
In Midget Super League play, the KT’s Restaurant Blues blitzed the North Okanagan #1 Knights 12-1 before upending the #2 Knights 5-2.
Austin Bosquet provided 3+1 and Rowan Lewis-Hatherley added 2+1 as the Blues routed the #1 Knights.
Kyle Clark added 1+3, while singles came from Austin Derkach, Brett Vandale, Josh Lerbeck, Nik Wasylyk, Liam Semeniuk and Liam Curran.
Clark earned 2+2 in Sunday’s win, other goals going to Lewis-Hatherley, Semeniuk, Cameron Sawdon and Wasylyk
Adam Fenske supplied 3+1 and Justin Mitchell 2+3 as the Talon Benefits Hawks iced the Salmon Arm Lakeside Printing Tropics 8-2 Saturday night at Civic Arena.
Landon Munk (2) and Luc Mitchell also scored for the Hawks in support of Bryce Dyck.
Knights brush back Spartans 7-4
The North Okanagan Knights avenged a Bantam Super League loss from last week by clipping the Corbett Office Plus Spartans 7-4 at Civic Arena.
The Spartans took an early lead on a top shelf shot by Alex Laurila after a great feed by Reece Schroeder. Tony Correale’s Knights replied with three quick goals by Dawson Boyce, Nick Luttmerding and Travis Schroepfler.
Schroeder scored on a great solo effort to start the second, but North Okanagan responded with goals by Cody Huber and Keaton McCune.
Rob Bauml’s Spartans responded when Laurila connected again and Billy Cawthorn (back up goalie playing out) counted his first career House goal with a great shot off the cross bar to make it close.
Clayton Thielman sealed the deal with a deuce for the Knights late in the third. Landen Correale and Brendan Steil shared net duties for North Okanagan. Chris Moore went the distance in goal for the Spartans.
