There was quiet questioning when the Lumby Midget Stars settled in for the first faceoff of their exhibition game Sunday against Vernon Seed Orchard at Pat Duke Memorial Arena.
The centre position vacant, Lumby remembered and honoured their late captain, No. 2, Bradley Haslam. A banner was draped over the back of the Stars’ bench showing Bradley’s initials and his number was encircled with ‘Forever In Our Hearts, BH2’ on the bench.
Haslam, described as a magnetic leader and terrific student, was killed June 15 in an industrial accident while working at Tolko’s Lavington planer mill. He was 18.
The Stars honoured Haslam with an 8-2 victory with Kyle Weston (3+1), Jayden Pederson (2+2), Reid Hackett, Jack O’Neill and Jarrett Miller handling the offence in front of Jake Holland. Isaiah Wenger and Lucas Mitchell replied for Vernon.
Said Stars’ coach Kevin Porteous: “With all the boys who had played with Bradley getting a quick shift with Kyle (Weston), it transformed into an energy and intensity that, up until now, I have never been a part of in my Lumby Stars’ adventures. It was a phenomenal effort and I’m proud of each and everyone on the team.”
The Stars carry sponsorship from Irly Bird Building Centers Lumby and RJ Schunter Contracting.
In Bantam preseason action, Miles Wohlford scored twice and had one assist as the Five Star Awards clipped the Corbett Office Supplies Sharks 5-4 Saturday at Priest Valley Arena.
Kaylan Lawrence, Chris Moore and Maguire Dickenson, with the winner, also tallied for Five Star.
Callum Leong, Lucas Towers, Jake Pelletier and Nick Mitchell replied for the Sharks.
Mitchell supplied 6+2 as the Sharks outlasted Five Star 13-8 Friday night at Civic Arena. Linemates Sean Howard (2+2) and Kevin Sullivan (1+4) also enjoyed productive nights.
Seb Wenger, Riley Bos, Alex Laurila and Teigan Derkach tallied for the Sharks. Moore (2+2), Talon Williams (2), Colton Schaper-Kotter and Reid Lawrence scored for Five Star.
In late-reported Atom Development play, the H&L Glass Junior Vipers lost their season opener 9-2 to the North Okanagan Knights Sunday at Civic Arena.
Jordyn Morris opened Vernon’s account, converting the rebound off a passing play between d-men Nick Noren and Liam Remple.
Trailing 5-1 with seconds to go in the period, Vernon pulled closer when Cash Anderson centered to Maddex Minard, who slid the puck cross-crease to Chris Bond, who banged it in the back door.
James Walker led the Knights with a hat trick, while Vernon’s Quinn Soon earned the Hard Hat for his determined defensive work.
