Hockey players from across Vancouver Island congregated in Powell River recently to compete in the Minor Hockey Bantam Tournament at Powell River Recreation Complex Hap Parker Arena and rink.
Powell River put three house teams together, PR Outdoors, PR Taws and PR Oceanview Helicopters. Each had a gruelling schedule with three games on the first day and potentially two on the second depending on standings.
PR Outdoors went into the final game with a 4-0 record and the most points of any team in the tournament. On Saturday, they had beaten Sunshine Coast 5-2, Nanaimo 4-1 and Gold River 5-3, with only two hours of rest between each game. On Sunday morning they went on a scoring spree against Saanich winning 9-2.
Being in first place for the Sunday afternoon final, PR Outdoors played against Nanaimo. This was a great game and was a tie all the way to the final minutes. Nanaimo scored, leaving PR Outdoors to pull their goalie, Kurtis Filewich, in an effort to even up, but they could not beat Nanaimo’s net minder who put on a strong performance. PR Outdoors players finished with silver medals and gave the home crowd something to cheer about.
The whole team put in an incredible amount of effort, with hard work and passion for the game. Playing for PR Outdoors were Zach Brach, captain, Jayson Simonetta, assistant captain, Derian Cator, assistant captain, Cody Agius, Tyrus Brach, Scott Young, Andy Dupuis, Matthew Cappiello, Aiden Devereaux, Phillip Dohm, Conner Ford, Brandon Rugg, Dylan Howlin and Filewich in goal.
