Tyson Jost and Hunter Miska continue to impress their Penticton Vees teammates.
Prior to winning the Crescent Point Energy Western Canada Cup (WCC) against the Portage Terriers 4-3 in overtime May 2, Jost and Miska, along with defenceman Miles Gendron, won hardware at the WCC awards banquet Friday night.
Jost took home the top forward and scorer award, while Miska was named the top goaltender, most valuable player and to the all-tournament team. Gendron was also named to the all-tournament team.
“They came through for us huge,” said Vees assistant captain Steen Cooper. “Miska has been playing unbelievable. He was nominated for one of the top goalies in Canada for a reason. He deserved to get the tournament MVP. He made some huge stops. Even in the final game there he bailed us out a couple times.
“Jost is just continuing to impress everyone,” added Cooper. “Not a lot of 16-year-olds can do what he’s doing. The first couple games he had five goals. They are both very deserving of what they accomplished.”
Jost finished with a tournament-best five goals in four round-robin games and finished with six points in five games total. Miska had a tournament-best 1.76 goals-against average, .937 save percentage and the only shutout of the round-robin. He allowed only seven goals on 114 shots and played the second-most minutes out of any goalie.
When asked if they can find another level during the national championship, Cooper said he wasn’t sure if there is one.
“I guess we will see. They are playing at the highest level I have ever seen them play,” he said. “I think if they continue to play the way they did at the WCC, we should have a great tournament.”
“He definitely deserved that award,” said Vees forward Connor Chartier of Jost, also named to the all-tournament team. “To see him go up against older guys on other teams and to see him still dominate, it’s pretty cool.”
Miska said it was “awesome” for him to get MVP.
“I couldn’t have done it without our team,” he said. “They were giving me a good opportunity to see the puck. Forwards scored to make me look good.”
In the championship game, Miska, who turned aside 34 shots against the Terriers, said he faced several good chances and felt he had to be on his game.
“I felt like I was on my game. Our forwards were on their game putting the puck in the net,” he said.
Gendron was tied for second in scoring by defencemen with four points in as many games. The Ottawa Senators draft pick’s four assists were second most at the WCC behind Newell’s five helpers.
