Sharks bounce Bullies
The Vernon Broad Street Bullies lost 4-2 to the Kelowna Sharks Sunday in the championship game of the 16-team Kelowna Midget Rec Hockey Tournament.
Vernon goaltender Chris de Jong had a very strong game, while Russell Hickman handled the offence scoring both goals.
The Bullies hit three posts with de Jong on the bench but couldn’t get the equalizer. The Sharks added an empty netter with five seconds left.
Vernon knocked off Kamloops 3-2 in the semifinals earlier Sunday at Rutland Arena.
Hickman, Randy Todosychuk and Brett Mitchell scored in support of Jayden Campbell. Liam Macphee was game MVP.
In round-robin play, the Bullies lost 7-5 to Kelowna Kaos with Eric Grebliunas pulling the hat trick and singles going to Brad Jones and Todosychuk. Gavin Banning earned MVP.
The Bullies then bounced the Kelowna Chiefs 3-1 with goals from Mitchell, game MVP Chance Walton and Cam Strike. Campbell went the distance in goal.
Vernon then toppled the Williams Lake Timberwolves 6-2 with Todosychuk providing 2 +1 and singles going to Rieker Krenz, Walton, Jones and Hickman. The MVP went to Strike, while de jong took the win.
“Our team battled well all weekend and are finally starting to play as a team,” said Bullies’ head coach Glenn Mitchell, assisted by Keith Louis. “It was a pleasure to watch.”
In regular North Okanagan Midget Super League action, the Lumby Stars brushed off the Vernon Battery Seagulls 6-4 Saturday at Pat Duke Memorial Arena.
Ashton Edwards and Kyle Weston each pocketed a pair of goals for Lumby, while Darcy Schenkeveld and Brad Haslam added singles. Wyatt Warnes turned in two helpers.
The Stars extended their winning streak to three games Sunday in Enderby, stopping the North Okanagan Knights 6-1.
Schenkeveld (2+1), Brad Haslam (2), Rodney Thompson (1+2) and Edwards handled the Lumby offence. Warnes had two assists.
“We are undefeated in the new year and are finally buying into a revamped more team-oriented style which thus far is resulting in more success.,” said Stars’ head coach Kevin Porteous
“We’re still trying to find the right mix but are very optimistic about our chances of winning the playoff pennant. We may have dug too big of a hole for the regular season title but we have an outside shot at it.”
The 9-3-2 Nedco Blazers, who are tied for top spot in the Midget Super league, jumped out to a 3-1 first-period lead in a 7-3 win over the Vernon Battery Seagulls Sunday at Wesbild Centre.
Chad Lindenbach produced 3+1 for the Blazers, while Scott Reczka and Drake Kosick each scored twice. Dustin Folliott (2) and Grayson Willan replied for the Seagulls.
Goalies Clayton Coles and Bruin Stair earned the victory for the Blazers, while Luke Vandale and Rodger Sewell shared the loss.
“The Blazers deserve full credit for their fine season,” said Gulls’ coach Dan Wilson. “They capitalized on their scoring chances and we didn’t.”
Nedco got two goals apiece from Kosick and Adam Fenske in a 9-1 thumping of the Knights Saturday.
Brennan Martin, Reczka, Devan Head, Travis Webster and Steven Goebel contributed singles. Goebel had three helpers, while Martin, Kosick and Reczka each supplied two.
The Vernon Midget House Invitational starts today and goes until Sunday with the A final slated for 2:15 p.m. and the B final going at noon, both at Civic Arena.
All five Vernon teams will join the Penticton Vees, South Okanagan Cariboo, Kelowna, Kamloops and Merritt in the 10-team tournament. The Gulls battle Kelowna today at 3:45 p.m. (PV), while the Vernon Seed Orchard Ducks meet Kamloops at 4 p.m. (Civic). The Blazers face Merritt at 6 p.m. (PV) and the Bullies play the Vees at 6:15 (Civic).
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