The Salmon Arm Fix Auto Atom Saints made it to the semi-finals in their home tournament this past weekend, an eight-team round robin contest with playoffs.
Their first game saw the Saints victorious over the North Okanagan Knights, by a final score of 9-2. Dom Barbosa had a hat trick, Zander Stewart and Matt Campbell each notched a pair, and Ty Baillie and Connor Kociuba rounded out the scoring for the Saints. Stewart’s second goal at the five-minute mark of the second was a beauty, as he went backhand roof on a breakaway. Kociuba also had a strong game for the Saints, going plus-3 with a goal and three helpers.
Evan Smith had a spectacular game in net, taking home MVP honours.
In the second game of the round robin versus the Penticton Junior Canucks, the Saints came away with a 7-1 win. Barbosa was awarded the MVP trophy on the back of a four-goal performance. Also scoring for the Saints were Trent Poroznuk, Ty Baillie and Matt Campbell.
This time it was Campbell’s turn to put his hands on display, as he also went in on a clean breakaway and put the puck upstairs with a sweet backhand. Smith’s shutout bid was spoiled with just over three minutes to play, Penticton scoring a power-play goal.
Their toughest test of the round robin came against Kelowna. Stewart scored at the 1:35 mark of the first, staying true to form, going backhand roof. There was no scoring in the second, but in the third the Saints’ hard work paid off, Stewart grinding it out in the corner and then feeding the puck out to Barbosa who slipped it past the Kelowna netminder. Stewart scored his second goal with just over three minutes left in the game, flipping the puck up in the air and bouncing it off the goalie’s back for the score. Baillie was awarded the MVP trophy, as the centre had a strong game at both ends of the rink, even taking a few shifts at defence toward the end of the game as required.
Although the boys gave it their all, they were unable to come back against their rivals from Revelstoke in the semi-final game. Austin Torbohm was awarded the MVP trophy, as he had an exceptional game in front of the opposition net for the Saints.
Although they may have not made the score sheet, all of the boys displayed a great work ethic and tremendous heart. Rounding out the Saints roster are Brayden Costa and Dawson Perry on defence, and forwards Rhys Middleton, Caden Delaeg and Caden Sherman (absent).
The work of all the tournament volunteers was much appreciated.
