SPORTSHOUND: Two for Two

There has not been a lot of hockey action over the past two weeks in the North East League, but the U18 Elk Point Avalanche did have to lace them up this past weekend and burn off a little turkey. And there’s no better way to start the new year off than by winning a hockey game. So why not win two? And that’s exactly what the U 18 Elk Point Avalanche team did. After taking a long two-week break for Christmas and New Year, the U 18 boys hit the road north this past Saturday to Cold Lake to take on the Ice, winning this one 5 to 1. Defenseman Madden ‘Mad Dog’ Flamand, getting off his leash, went on a runaway, scoring two goals and assisting on two others. The talented forward ‘Top Gunner’ Crawford also scored two goals. Rookie Brendan ‘Buzz Saw’ Kadutski scored a goal—another first-year rookie ‘Without a Trace’ Morgan with an assist.

On Sunday, playing on home ice at the A.G. Ross Arena, the U18 Avalanche hosted one of the top teams in the league, the Vegreville Wrangles, winning this by a score of 3 to 1. Goaltender ‘Goodyear Charlie’ Lesyk was outstanding in net. He was belted with enough rubber to build a couple of transport tires. Handling 41 shots in total, the majority of them coming in the third period when the Wranglers stepped on the gas and the Avalanche were sitting back, just trying to hold on to the win. It was another strong game for the rushing D Man Mad Dog Flamand, who scored a goal and added an assist. His older brother, but not necessarily that much bigger, Kaleb ‘Formula One’ Flamand, also scored a goal.  Towering red-headed defenseman ‘Cyclone Cole’ Pierce blasted one from the point, scoring a goal, too. Top Gunner Crawford and Braylee’ Free Willy’ Lesyk both forechecking hard all game, each on the game sheet with an assist.

This coming weekend, the U18 Avalanche will travel to Kitscoty to take on another one of the league leaders, the Pitbulls. And the rest of the Elk Point Avalanche teams will be hitting the ice as well, starting on Friday night when the U13 Avalanche will be hosting the Vermilion Tigers at 6.30 pm. Come down to the AGR and check them out!