The Langley Eagles won a tournament in Phoenix earlier this season, taking in a Coyotes-Calgary Flames NHL game during the trip.
The Eagles’ dream season resumed Thursday morning at Civic Arena when they stopped the Vernon Watkin Motors Mustangs 4-3 in overtime to open the 44th Coca-Cola Pee Wee Invitational Hockey Tournament.
Nico Marini controlled a pass to the low slot from Kaden Maryschak in the corner and beat Vernon goalie Kobe Grant for the winner with 1:43 left in four-on-four overtime.
“It went off my knee and bounced off the ice and I just shot and hoped it was going in,” said Marini, who turns 13 on Feb. 22. “It was a good, close game. Once we started passing and playing a smart, team game and being positive, we were fine.”
The Mustangs, who stunned the Kamloops Jardine Blazers in the first round of the Okanagan Mainline playoffs, almost won early in the extra frame when Langley d-man Dylan Wormald nicely blocked a hard shot headed on net from Nick Teale.
Brandon Santa Juana, with a deuce, and Landon Walter also scored for the Eagles, who earlier this season were runner-ups in the Seafair Islanders Tournament. Former Vernon Viper star Curtis Fraser, who played pro hockey in Europe for several seasons, is an assistant coach with Langley.
Zachary Funk, Tysen Fairweather and Nick Teale replied for the Mustangs, who led 3-1 late in the second period.
“We’re kind of angry we let them back in, but we have to forget about this game and get ready for Spokane (Chiefs, Thursday night),” said Mustang defenceman Cameron Moger, who had one assist and celebrates his 13th birthday in April.
“We dominated them for 18 minutes in the second period and we were so-so in the third when we sat back on our lead. It’s tough losing on a lucky bounce.”
The Eagles, who had Joseph Maillet in net, were knocked out of their playoffs by North Shore.
“The teams were very even this morning,” said Langley captain Aidan de la Gorgendiere, who also turns 13 on Feb. 22. “We came out slow at the beginning and then got our game going in the third by moving our feet and getting pucks deep. Vernon’s a pretty good team.”
Seafair ambushed the Spokane Jr. Chiefs 12-2 in other Thursday morning action.
Noah Boroditsky and Tyler Horstmann each pulled hat tricks for the Islanders, while Ethan Strik and Logan Nelson each bagged 1+2 and other goals came from Trevor Lau, Michael Abgrall, Carson Kostner and Bradley Araki-Young.
The Chilliwack Bruins smothered the Seattle Admirals 18-1 early Thursday afternoon.
Captain Ethan Bowen pocketed six goals and one helper for the Bruins, while Zach Feaver (4+1), Brendan Williamson (3+2) and Blake Clease (3+1) also had big games.
Cayden Karcioglu chipped in with 1+3, while Blake Bryce also scored. Mack Barton-Paquette produced four assists and Reid Dunham had three.
Maurice Mills answered for Seattle.
The Kelowna Rockets, who will take on Vernon in the Okanagan finals next weekend, faced the Bow Valley Flames of Calgary at 2:45 p.m.
Longtime minor official Bob Collins was given the Rienie Holland Award for distinguished longtime service to the tourney.
The Mustangs complete round-robin play today at 2:45 against Seafair. Chilliwack and Kelowna meet in the last preliminary tilt at 8 p.m.
The semifinals go Saturday at 12:30 and 2:45 p.m. at Civic.
The final in the eight-team classic goes Sunday at 5:30 p.m. Former NHLer Jerred Smithson is the keynote speaker at the tourney banquet Saturday night at the Best Western Vernon Lodge. A dance, featuring the Young ‘Uns, follows.
Dance tickets may be purchased through tourney director Jason Kasper at 250-307-4852.
