School’s Out for Hockey

Tales from the Timebox: February 19th, 2018

Last week was a short week for the kids at school, getting out early on Wednesday at 2pm in the afternoon, then having five days off in a row including today, Tuesday for the annual teacher’s convention and the Family Day weekend. And it was a good thing too, with the amount of hockey these kids had been playing lately, not only on the weekend, but almost every night during the week too. Not much time for sleep, studying or even thinking about school. Hockey, hockey , hockey!!!!

This past Monday the Peewee tier #1 team dispatched Vegreville back home after winning the two game provincial round robin series. After the first game held in Vegreville the Avalanche had a two goal lead coming back home, winning this one quite easily by a score of 10 to 2. ‘King Kong Konnor’ Poitras was really unstoppable in this one, smashing down the defensive walls and destroying the goalie with his quick snap shots up into the top shelf. Same thing for ‘Mick Jager’ Fontaine who danced his way across the blue line and let rip some wicked slap shots that broke the sound of music into the mesh. Both of them scored a hat trick. ‘Mick Jager’ also adding five assists, ‘King Kong Konnor’ with one helper. Cash ‘Paycheque’ Capjack the center-man on that top production line winning the majority of the face offs, and the ones he didn’t win he would tie up his man. He scored the very first goal of the game very early in the first period to set the tone. He also scored the very last goal with only .22 seconds left on the clock to send the Wanglers home! Five assists and great back checking for ‘Paycheque’ too! Vaughn ‘the Vulture’ Ockerman going right into the hot kitchen, the goal crease, looking for a nice snack, scoring one off of a rebound.

Steady D Man Sam ‘Spiderman’ Rogal doing a nice job of keeping the traffic clear in front, he set up three goals. Two days later ,right after school let out a 2pm, Wednesday, the Peewee # 1 team traveled to Gibbons for their next provincial round meeting up with the CNN (Crows Nest North) team. The Avalanche riding in the car for two hours seemed a little sleepy and with rubber legs starting out a little sluggish, the score very close, in fact it was tied three all until there was only eight minutes left in the third period. Then the Avalanche exploded with three quick ones, bang , bang , bang, The final score 6 to 3 for the Avalanche . ‘King Kong Konnor’ with a hat trick and two assists. ‘Paycheque’ with two goals and three assists. ‘Mick Jager’ with one goal and two assists. A strong game for ‘the Saint’ defenseman Nick Penner who added a couple of assists . A nice lead to come home with. The second game to be played here at home on this past Saturday night. Due to the early deadline because of the Family Day Monday, the results were not available at press time.

Last Tuesday night was the Midget Avalanche turn to shine in provincial action and they did for sure, winning over Smoky Lake 6 to 1. The score tied at one all for a long time, the boys would crank up the music and pot another five goals before it was over. Team Captain ‘Awesome Alex’ Hunter doing what all captains are supposed to do. Lead by example. He played an awesome game. Skating , checking, passing and scoring a hat trick and adding an assist. Austin ‘Astro’ Axley came to play too, he scored a goal and assisted on two. The big monster Brody ‘the Big O’ Odgaard stretching out where any normal player couldn’t reach, getting around the defense and putting one up into the twine. He may be a bit on the small side, but has lots of hockey smarts, and is extremely talented with the puck, Nick ‘ Sparky’ Anderson with one too. Wheeling and dealing defenseman Hayden ‘Hot Wheels’ Ludlage with three helpers. Keeping the boys in this one, especially in the early going, goalie Colton ‘Colt 45’ Van Maarion was solid between the pipes facing 31 shots, most of them coming in the second period. He had some help through out the game by his defensive core, Hank ‘the Tank’ Rogal, Cyle ‘Grinder’ Graus and ‘Warrior Warren’ Ference coming to the rescue a few times.

The Bantam Avalanche are hosting the provincial finals in March but its always nice to know you legitimately belong in the tournament. And after their provincial game on Wednesday night in Redwater where they won 6 to 0 it would seem to me that’s there’s not a doubt in anyone’s mind they are contenders for sure for the provincial title. This team has suffered a lot of injuries but keeps on rolling. One man goes down and the rest pick up the slack. Slippery center-man ‘Lightning Liam’ Ludlage with two goals and setting up two by the sniper Jaden ‘Jet Stream’ Van Maarion who also scored two goals and received an assist. Getting the green light , defenseman Charlie ‘Chuckles ‘ Rogal with a goal and an assist. Peewee aged farm hand Dean ‘the Machine’ Ockerman getting the call to help fill in for the injured D Man Jace ‘ the Stafford Streak’, getting his first goal up in the big league. Mathew ‘ Quick Draw’ Quinney , Odin ‘the Wall’ Smith and Evan ‘Batman’ Ockerman all getting in on the action with an assist each. The second game of this two game total point series will be held here in Elk Point this Thursday February the 22 at 7pm. Come out and cheer on the boys!

And now for the K. A. Campbell quote of the week. ‘ You give 100 percent in the first half of the game, and if that isn’t enough in the second half you give what’s left. ‘ – Yogi Berra