Fresh off their Midget Super League championship, the Vernon Talon Benefits Titans captured their third tournament gold of the season at a Midget C tourney in Richmond.
The Titans used an airtight defence and a relentless attack to dispatch Westside 8-0 in their opener.
The line of Troy Richardson, Hayden Jones and Gavin Opp led the way with six goals. Richardson earned the Top Offensive Player award. The defensive player award went to Brodie Homeniuk, who used his strength and skating agility to thwart the Westside forwards.
Netminder Evan Campagnolo was the difference as the Titans doubled host Richmond 4-2.
Again, the Richardson-Jones-Opp trio provided an offensive spark with three timely goals. Jones was top offensive player.
Facing undefeated Langley in their final round-robin game, the Titans used their speed and crisp passing to secure a 6-2 win.
A total of six Langley players were ejected from the game, while one Titan earned an early shower.
The line of Yanik Fillion-Murphy, Mark Francis and Krister Work stepped up, contributing four goals. Fillion-Murphy took the top offensive player honours, and blueliner Austin Lewarne earned top defensive player with his calm, effective play under fire.
The Titans cruised to a 10-1 win against Westside in a semifinals rematch.
After weathering an early Westside charge, Vernon gradually cranked up the offence, with each forward line contributing five goals apiece.
The offensive player award went to Work, while the top defensive player was Hayden Grant.
The Titans’ strong team defence and a balanced offence proved too much for Langley in the gold-medal game as Vernon skated to a 6-0 win.
Defensive player of the game went to Mark Francis, who used speed and determination to catch the Langley puck carriers in the neutral zone. Offensive player of the game was Opp, who really upped his game towards the end of the season.
