Submitted by Coach Jen Quam
The McVale Atom team (comprised of players from McBride and Valemount) went undefeated in the Valemount tournament January 24/25 and took first place.
The group of 12 skaters and a goalie (including 3 Novice aged player – the age group below Atom) started off the tournament handily beating AAA Photography (Prince George) 17-1. Chayse Shawara was named MVP.
Game 2 saw the local team beat the Canadian Tire Coyotes (Prince George) 8-1. Novice call-up Daniel Woroshelo was named game MVP.
In an early morning Sunday game the team again overwhelmed another Prince George team (Team 7) 12-2 with Tanner Molendyk awarded game MVP.
The tournament culminated on Sunday afternoon in the championship game between McVale and the Canadian Tire Coyotes from Prince George.
The Coyotes came out full of life and their goaltender gave an amazing performance. At the half time break the Prince George team was leading 2-1 over McVale.
In a back and forth game the McVale team took the lead 5-4 in the third period. With 2 minutes left in regulation time the Prince George team tied the game.
In an intense action packed overtime the teams played 5 on 5 sudden death overtime for five minutes with no scoring. Then the teams played 4 on 4 for four minutes and 3 on 3 for three minutes with no results. Finally when the game went into 2 on 2 play for two minutes McVale scored (a total of approximately 14 minutes into overtime)! McVale was named tournament champions! Tanner Molendyk was given game MVP.
This group of youngsters skated hard every game and played as a team. The best part of this combined Valemount/McBride is the friendships the kids have formed the last few years using this format that allows players from 2 small towns without enough kids to form their own team, get to play hockey!
Big thanks for tournament organizer and team manager Erika Dewey and all parents who helped make the weekend a great success. Also Dwayne Needhman and Darren Woroshelo for Assistant Coaching over the weekend.
