Valemount and McBride Tykes teams had friendly battles with each other and Prince George at the Canoe Valley Recreation Centre March 8 – 9. Prince George lent the local teams their second goalie, and coaches from all teams helped keep the action on track and enjoyable for the cheering crowds.
Photos: Korie Marshall
The McBride Grizzly Bantam hockey team travelled to Clearwater, BC on the same weekend for a three game mini tournament against the Ashcroft and Clearwater Bantam teams.
In Game 1, the Grizzlies defeated Ashcroft 10-1 with defenseman Noah Janeke scoring the first goal of the game. Forward Julie Vizza played all world notching 4 goals. Rylan Moore (1G, 2A) and Dylan Vizza (2G, 2A) had strong efforts also. In Game 2, just 45 minutes after Game 1, the Grizzlies took on the home team from Clearwater. Clearwater came out fast attempting to take advantage of the fatigue factor. The score was 1-1 after the first period. Clearwater used their 13 skaters to their advantage and had 2 goal leads twice during the game. The Grizzlies came back both times and despite being outnumbered, tied the game 5-5 with 38 seconds left with the goalie pulled. Coaches Gerry Porrier and Brady Knezacek were impressed with their players’ never-give-up mentality.
In Game 3 on Sunday the well-rested Grizzlies took away any hopes the Clearwater team had of a win by dominating them leading to a 6-0 victory. Grizzlies’ goalie, Robert Knezacek, earned his shut-out making key stops which in turn gave his team confidence. Dylan Vizza notched a hat-trick. Jordan Gibson (1A), Shaelyn Bratten (1A) had exceptional efforts in this game. Grizzlies defenceman, Austin Gibson, saved his best for last and had a outstanding game shutting down Clearwater’s forwards. The Grizzlies bench erupted at the 14:22 mark of the 3rd period when first-year player Billy Littlechild scored her first minor hockey league goal ever assisted by Brett Jones and Dawson Drader. Grizzlies coaching staff secured the puck from the referee and presented it to a very happy Littlechild following the victory.
The McBride Grizzlies traveled to Penticton to compete in a year-end 14-team tournament from March 14 to 16th. Grizzlies coaching staff were looking forward to see how the team compares against teams from all over the province. Stay tuned for more results.
