The Host Team
Tales from the Timebox: December 5th, 2017
Not one to brag or anything like that, but, I must say this. Elk Point Minor Hockey and their host site the A.G. Ross Arena are starting to get a terrific reputation of putting on great tournaments. Last week the Atom parents did an awesome job, this past weekend there was nothing but positive comments from all the players, coaches and parents at the Novice one day tournament held on this past Saturday. Another tip of the hat to all the organizing committee, parents, coaches and players for making this a fantastic entertaining day for everyone.
The Avalanche winning over the Dewberry /Marwayne team in their first game 8 to 5 . ‘Wyatt Earp’ Fontaine with a hat trick, two goals for Brendan ‘Buzz Saw’ Kadutski. Solid defenseman Johathan McAleese rushing with the puck scoring his first goal of the year. Miles ‘the Millionaire’ Koren cashing in with one goal. ‘Notorious Nolan’ Ballas, Rhyley Kozicky and ‘Boe Dog’ Johnson with the assists.
In their second game the Avalanche lost a close match to Bonnyville 7 to 5. ‘Wyatt Earp’ with two goals, one of them scored short handed, ‘ Without a Trace’ Morgan getting one on the power play, and assisting on another one by ‘Buzz Saw’ . The ‘ Millionaire’ heading to the bank with one as well. Riley ‘the Coyote’ Bourne between the pipes in this one facing 37 shots on goal.
In their third game the Avalanche defeated St. Paul 9 to 6. Hat trick for ‘Wyatt Earp’ and the ‘Millionaire’. Remington ‘Steel’ Reynolds hitting the target with one. ‘ Without a Trace’ streaking in under the radar with one. ‘Notorious Nolan ‘ who is normally is a stay at home D Man getting the green light for one too. Fore- checking and keeping the pressure on the attack and creating turnovers, Jackson ‘ J.R. ‘ Rawlake with a helper.
A tie is liking kissing your sister, but I doubt very much that these guys have ever done anything like that. In fact it might be even tough to get a man hug from them. Right after the last game, in the novice tournament on Saturday, the Midget Avalanche hit the ice against the Vermilion Tigers. The Avalanche had been walking all over all the teams earlier in the season, but now after the re -tiering has been done, the games are becoming much closer and much more intense, this one in fact ending in a four all tie. The Tigers showing some teeth gave the boys a challenge that they have been looking for. Stay a home defenseman Kyle ‘Grinder’ Graus slipping one into the cage making it one all after the first period. Chase ‘Rink Rat’ Dorey , talented center -man Nick ‘Sparky’ Anderson and the rugged D man ‘Warrior Warren’ Ference with one each in the second period. Both of the goals by ‘Sparky ‘ and the ‘Warrior’ were scored on the power play. With the score four all after forty minutes, the teams would battle back and forth, neither one able to get the go ahead goal. Great goaltending at both ends of the rink, the Avalanche’s Spencer ‘Fortress’ Hardcastle holding down the fort in the final 20 minutes for the single point. The ‘Big O’ Brody Odgaard with three assists, team captain ‘ Awesome Alex’ Hunter, Chad’ Pick Pocket’ Poitras, Hayden ‘ Hot Wheels’ Ludlage, Austin ‘ Astro;’ Axley all with assists.
On Sunday the midget hosted the top team in the tier # 1 league, Cold Lake, who put a freeze on the Avalanche normally productive offense. The final score 5 to 2 in favor of Cold Lake. ‘Awesome Alex’ and Wolke ‘the Wolfman’ Cueva the only ones able to get one through the solid ice goaltender. Avalanche goalie Colton ‘Colt 45’ Van Maarion facing 41 shots , the Avalanche getting 31 on Cold Lake.
Really tough sledding for the peewee tier # 1 team who travelled down to Wainwright on Saturday, the Bisons getting loose on a run away stampeded all over them. This team is going to have some real challenging games playing in tier one for the rest of the year, but hopefully come provincial time this team will shine.
On Sunday even though they lost against Provost it was a much better game. Two goals for ‘King Kong Konnor’ Poitras, Cash ‘Paycheque’ Capjack cashing in with one. Two assists for ‘Mick Jager ‘ Fontaine. Landon the ‘Magnificent’ Machowski with a helper too. Flexible goalie Vanden ‘Super Mario’ Moroziuk was getting peppered from all sides, facing 40 shots on goal.
The Atom Avalanche had a really good day in Saddle Lake on Saturday winning 4 to 2. Two goals for the ‘Cyclone Cole’ Pierce. He can really crank it up from behind his own net and has become a huge leader on this team. Timmy ‘ the Freight Train’ Cardinal with a full head of steam rolling down the track was unstoppable, he scored the first one. Evett ‘Snoopy’ Smereka sniffing and digging around the cage buried a bone in there too. ‘Hurricane Kayl’ Warawa and Spencer ‘Goldie Locks’ Malachowski both helping out the cause with assists. ‘Stellar Ella’ Ballas and Anna ‘the Banana ‘ Henderson both doing a terrific job for-checking and back checking. The boys better beware, the ladies on this team are really strong on their sticks and are very determined to take the puck away from them . The rubber band man, goalie ‘Good Time Charlie’ Lesyk had another brilliant performance between the pipes.
On Sunday the Atoms traveled up to Boyle picking up another two points in a 11 to 9 win. Hat tricks for ‘Stellar Ella’ , ‘Snoopy’ and ‘Cyclone Cole’. Braylee ‘Little Willy’ going top shelf with a sharp wrist shot for one. Kaysen ‘Dynamite’ DeMossic blasting one past their goalie too. Defensemen Raif ‘ Rug Rat’ Evans Anderson, the ‘ Freight Train’ and D – Girls Charlotte ‘ Web Mail’ Henderson and ‘ Hurricane Kayl’ doing a terrific job of shutting down the attacking Blazers.
The undefeated tier # 1 bantam Avalanche with ten man crew won once again this past weekend over Lac La Biche 9 to 5 . Six of the Avalanche goals were scored on the power play. These guys really know how to move the puck around, and when you only have 10 skaters they have learned that you need to pass to save your energy. Talented set up man’ Lightning Liam’ Ludlage with four goals. Not a very selfish player, ‘Lightning’ normally passes the puck rather than shooting, but he did have three assists in this one as well. Line mate Jaden ‘Jet Stream’ Van Maarion is usually the shooter on this line with his wicked slap shot. Hey I guess , they must have switched roles for this game, as he has four assists. Dallas ‘Cowboy’ Bristow the other winger on this line pulled the trigger for one into the mesh. Defenseman Charlie ‘Chuckles’ Rogal is a pretty good set up man too, he has four assists and a goal. Power forward Danny Boy Cardinal and D man Evan ‘the Batman’ Ockerman with one goal each. Blue liner ‘King Cole’ Bendixen with an assist. And some bad news for the team. With only three minutes left in the game, Jace’ the Stafford Streak’ left the ice with a broken wrist. He was on the game sheet for two assists and will now be really missed as their number one stay at home guy. He’s out of action for six to eight weeks. The short bench just got shorter!!
And now for the K.A. Campbell quote of the week. ‘A good hockey player plays where the puck is. A great hockey player knows where the puck is going to be. ‘ – Wayne Gretzky
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