The Ridge Meadows Rustlers, who rank 12th among pee wee A1 teams in B.C., won bronze at the annual Chilliwack Christmas hockey tournament.
The Rustlers played hard against some of the top teams in the Lower Mainland, going through round-robin play with a 3-3 record, which included a win over third-ranked Surrey, and advanced to the bronze-medal game.
In that contest, the Rustlers faced a solid group from Seattle. Both teams battled in what was the seventh game of the tournament for each, with Ridge prevailing 3-2 in overtime.
Tonight the pee wees go prime time. They host Richmond, sixth in Tier 1, at Cam Neely Arena at 7 p.m. It is the ice time normally reserved for the Ridge Meadows Flames, but the junior B team is on the road.
“It would be a great opportunity to come out and support your local youth in their efforts, as they play against a very good Richmond squad,” said Rustlers associate coach Prescott Bell.
“The A1 Rustlers have battled hard all season long, even if the wins have been few and far between. Minor hockey is about developing quality young people in our community through physical activities, attention to school and working as a team. This group of 11- and 12-year-old boys and girls is a great example of this on and off the ice,” he added.
