There will be a new provincial champion this year, but that is all we know at this point.
The Vernon Source for Sports Tigers edged the Saanich Tigers 5-4 in the B.C. Junior B Provincial tournament Sunday night at Kal Tire Place.
The defending champion Saanich Tigers (0-3) will play in the consolation game 9:00 a.m. Monday morning.
Vernon (2-1) awaits the outcome of the Delta Islanders (2-0) and Kamloops Venom (1-1) game which begins at 9 p.m. tonight at Kal Tire Place. An Islanders win sends Vernon into the gold medal game at 12:30 p.m. tomorrow. A Venom win and it’s time to bust out the abacus’s and put the tournaments tie-breaking formula to use.
Vernon put themselves in position to medal with their best defensive game of the weekend. Keeper Aaron Jensen made 28 saves and was Game MVP.
“Our dee is playing well right now, we are staying out of the box and we are getting lots of shots on net,” said Tigers’ assistant coach Chris Scabar.
Scabar, a Delta product, will be rooting hard for the Islanders.
“I grew up playing with most of these kid’s dads. I would really like to see them win so we can face them again in the finals,” said Scabar.
Tigers’ sniper Ryan Sarazin has elevated his game to the penthouse in provincials. He added another goal tonight to give him eight goals in three games.
“I think I learned a lot at school this year. I see the floor better and I’m not forcing the issue as much anymore,” said Sarazin, who plays for the Marquette Golden Eagles in the fall.
Vernon Tigers’ assistant captain Darrell Landels but on a great display of tenacity when he mowed over four Saanich defenders and slipped home his second and the winner with 12 minutes remaining. Mitchell Anderson added two goals.
Vernon will rest up and refuel at Boston Pizza as they wait to see what medal they will be playing for.
Trevor Hansen sniped a pair for Saanich as Quinton Hamilton and Derek Jackson added singles.
