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Off to the bright light on Saturday morning, the Micro Novice team traveled into Edmonton play in a mini tournament that was held at  the Rogers Center before the Oil Kings game on Saturday night. As part of the package the lucky dogs stayed for the Oil Kings game. All the kids and parents had quite the blast.

Novice Avalanche

Who are these guys anyway? This was a whole different Atom team that showed up on this past Saturday to play against Lac La Biche Clippers, not the same one we saw last week for sure against the Vermilion Tigers. Mind you the last time they played they were missing their top goaltender Brendan ‘Buzz Saw’ Kadutski and two of their veteran skaters, forward ‘Without a Trace Morgan and big D Man ‘Boe Dog ‘ St. George. But the effort this past weekend by everyone on the team was 100 percent better.

The Clippers took a early 2 to 1 lead in the first period and out shot the Avalanche for the first two periods. But goalie Buzz Saw was rock solid and stoned them on many shots. Remington ‘Steel’ Reynolds skated hard to get past the defense and open in front of the Clippers goaltender. He would snipe the first goal assisted by Boe Dog St. George who took the puck on the end to end rush. No scoring in the second period by either team, but the Avalanche giving a terrific effort every shift. Finally in the third period Without a Trace Morgan would slip in his first of two goals to tie the game assisted by ‘Free Willy’ Braylee Lesyk.  The free wheeling Free Willy is known for going coast to coast and assisted on the next two goals as well.  Wild Wyatt’ Fontaine with a power play goal to give the Avalanche the 3 to 2 lead.

Then ‘ Without a Trace’ his second of the game to give the Avalanche a two goal lead. The Clippers pulling the goalie in the final minute for the extra attacker.’ Free Willy ‘ air mailing a long bomb from his own blue line into the empty net to seal the deal for the Avalanche winning the game 5 to 2.

On Sunday head coach Shane Smith  celebrated his birthday and was hoping for another win to ice his birthday cake when the boys traveled to the Border City to take on the Blazers. The boys did play really well for him just as the day before, losing this one by a respectable 6 to 3 score. But the effort was there and that was all that really mattered. Kale ‘the Hawk’ Ockerman with a goal and an assist. Jaxon ‘Smitty ‘ Smith and ‘Wild Wyatt’ with the other goals; Free Willy  with an assist.

Nothing better than close nail biting one or two goal games to make thing exciting. The Atom game was great to watch.

The Peewee game that followed was more of the same when they hosted the Bonnyville Pontiacs. And with both teams fighting to make the playoffs the game is even better. Great goaltending at both ends of the rink.  Kaleb ‘Formula One’ Flamand scoring the only goal in the game for the Avalanche in the first period assisted by the super smooth skating defenseman Brendon ‘Blue Line’ Haesch. One – nothing for the Avalanche until half way through the third period when ‘Bo Diddley’ Fontaine would finally score assisted by Madden ‘Mad Dog’ Flamand and Gavin ‘Green Light’ Kadutski. Two to zip for the Avalanche.

The Pontiacs not going to go down without a fight pressuring big time finally getting one past goalie ‘Goodyear Charlie’ Lesyk.  Two to one now for the Avalanche very late in the game, when  a determined ‘Mad Dog’ would take the puck all alone and battle through three defenders to the net and score giving the Avalanche a 3 to 1 win.

On Sunday against Onion Lake Spencer ‘Goldie Locks’ Malachowski blasting on in from the point.  Mad Dog also with a goal his assisted by Blue Line.

The Bantam Avalanche hitting the ice next would not have any trouble winning over the St Paul Canadiens 11 to 1 the final. ‘Kid Kade’ Fontaine with four goals and three assists. His big brother the league leading scorer ‘Mick Jager’ Fontaine with three goals and five assists. Two goals and two assists for Cea Jay ‘Quick Draw’ Quinney. Rugged Defenseman Sam ‘Spiderman’ Rogal with a goal and two assists. Grinders Ryan ‘Ram Rod’ Cameron and Brady ‘Bionic Man’ Hymanyk with one  goal each.

Everyone on the team contributing to the win. ‘Saint Nic’ Penner, Wyatt ‘Wild Thing’ Pavoll, Dean ‘the Machine’ Ockerman, Landon ‘the Magnificient’ Malchowski, Seth ‘ Motorman’ Morton  and the birthday boy Josef ‘Big Red’ Theriault with a few assists each. More of the same on Super Bowl Sunday when the Lloydminster Blazers came calling. The league leading undefeated Avalanche winning this one 13 to 3.

In out of town action this past Thursday down in Stettler, the Camrose Atom A team lost in overtime in their second provincial round robin game ending their provincial run. Defenseman Bode ‘the Hound Dog’ Bassett named the Viking of the game. And welcome to the new addition to  the Bassett family this past week. Bode has a new baby brother, my grandson, Nash Dayne Bassett born on Tuesday  Jan 28th.  8 lbs 2 oz

A big Happy 35th Birthday going out today to Mark ‘the Marksman’ Letestu. Ten years ago on February 1, 2010 Mark scored is very first NHL goal against Ryan Miller of the Buffalo Sabres.  The Marksman has been sidelined this year but we are all wishing him well and hoping to see him return very soon to the Winnipeg Jets.