This coming Saturday, November 11th is one of the most important days of the year as far as I’m concerned. I hope even though a lot of you will be busy doing hockey stuff, that you take at least a few moments to remember those who kept our great country safe and free and continue to do so even to this day, so we can go watch our kids and grand kids play hockey etc.
It’s much better to give than receive! I’m not talking about giving gifts (although it’s true), today I’m talking about lop-sided hockey games, of which we’ve had quite a few. Some of them we were the upside and win by huge scores, and some of them we were on the receiving end of the hockey stick! For the next two weeks this will be the case until the teams are re-tiered at the end on November and start with a clean slate. No one really benefits from these games and quite often they end up in a gong show before they are over. All of the goals and assists during the first month, although they mean something to the player and parent, don’t get counted into league play and once one team gets a huge lead it gets ugly. After November everyone will start fresh.
The Bantam Avalanche have been fortunate enough to have been on the winning side in all three of their games this year, two of them happened this past weekend and both of them were blow-outs . Friday night they defeated Onion Lake 14 to 3. Six goals by Jaden ‘Jet Stream’ Van Maarion. Hat tricks for Dallas ‘Cowboy’ Bristow and ‘Lightning Liam’ Ludlage. One goal each for defenseman ‘King Cole’ Bendixen and Jace the ‘Stafford Streak’.
On Sunday afternoon it was more of the same when the Saddle Lake Warriors came calling the Avalanche winning this one 12 to 2. Four goals for ‘ King Cole’ . ‘Jet Stream’ with a hat trick, Odin ‘the Wall’ Smith, ‘the Stafford Streak’ , Charlie ‘Chuckles’ Rogal and Evan ‘Batman’ Ockerman with one goal each. Matthew Quinney in on the score sheet with an assist. Goalie ‘Sexy Slater’ Hardcastle didn’t had a whole lot of action so far this year and believe it or not sometimes that’s even worse that getting lots of action, because you’re cold and not focused when someone does manage to get a shot on you. With a short bench, only ten skaters on the bantam team this year, they were down to only nine horses on Sunday when the big power forward ‘Danny Boy’ Cardinal was out of action. He was injured the day before at the football game playing for the St. Paul Bengals. In case you hadn’t heard they won over Bonnyville and will be going to provincials this coming weekend in Grande Prairie. ‘Chuckles’ and ‘the Wall’ also play for the Benagals . The bantam boys are coached by Marty Bendixen, Greg Van Maarion and Tyson Stafford. There’s not a shadow of a doubt in my mind that they have a very talented team and need to move up one tier; or the rest of the teams they have played so far need to move down a tier. Either way it’s going to be a great year for these boys, providing they can stay healthy. And let’s not forget to mention the bantam team manager who is celebrating her birthday tomorrow. A big happy birthday going out to Melissa Rogal.
Our Midget Avalanche have been doing the same thing, walking over all the teams they have played so far this year. Sunday night they defeated Saddle Lake easily 16 to 0 . This is the third game of the year for them and all of them have been completely one sided. This coming weekend may be a bit more challenging when they meet up with Mallaig, Wainwright and Lloydminister.