Sportshound: Pink Day at the AG Ross Arena

This past Saturday was declared Pink Day at the rink. It was our third annual Pink Day at the A.G. Ross Arena, where all the money raised on this special day was donated to one of our local cancer victim families, just as it has been for the past three years. This year’s proceeds from the 50/50 draws and raffles were donated to the Ockerman family. Ryan Ockerman, who is being treated for cancer, played all his minor hockey here in Elk Point, and now his son Damian “Fog Horn” Ockerman is playing for the U11 Avalanche.

Lots of people came out to watch the hockey games and donate time and money. All six of our minor hockey Avalanche teams played a home game on Saturday, starting at 8:30 a.m. when the little U7 group hosted the St. Paul Canadiens. Following that game, the U9s hosted the Vermilion Tigers at 10:00 a.m.

After that, the U11s hit the ice against the Mallaig Monarchs at 11:45 a.m. The last time these two teams met, at the Bonnyville tournament, the Avalanche defeated the Monarchs in the gold medal game, scoring the winning goal in the last minute to claim the championship. The Monarchs, seeking a little payback, came ready to play on Pink Day. Not that we played badly – they just wanted it more. With relentless forechecking and backchecking, the Monarchs completely shut the door on the Avalanche, winning 7–1. Cohen “Big Horn” Brousseau scored the lone goal to sneak past the Monarchs’ goalie, who played superbly. Aspen “Machine Gun” Kelly provided the assist. Avalanche goalie Benny Boy Saddleback faced a bombardment of 50 shots. This coming weekend, the U11 Avalanche will host their annual tournament. Come on down, have a coffee and a burger, and cheer these little guys and gals on!

It was also a tough day at the office for the U13 Avalanche, who played the next game against one of the league’s top teams, the Hughenden Jets. The Avalanche lost this one 5–1. The big power forward “Fearless Frank” Killiam scored the lone goal for the Avalanche, assisted by the hardworking Hunter “Hardrock” Pankiw. Goaltender “Major Tom” Melnyk faced a workout with 53 shots on goal.

The U15 Avalanche battled next against the top team in their tier-two division, the Provost Blades. The Avalanche fought hard to the bitter end but lost 6–5. It was a strong game for Remington “Steel” Reynolds, who scored two goals and assisted on another. Freewheeling defenceman “Wild Wyatt” Fontaine also scored two goals. Tristan “Bobcat” Brousseau added a goal and an assist. The two boys from Dewberry, Grayson “Slim” Skakum and Cade “Easy Money” Elliot, each contributed an assist. The big solid winger Jaxon “Magic” Marcoux also added an assist.

The grand finale for the day featured our U18 Avalanche taking on the Smoky Lake NorthStars at 7:30 p.m. This game turned into a real barn burner. Gavin “Green Light” Kadutski and Evett “Snoop Dog” Smereka scored for the Avalanche, with assists by Brendan “Buzz Saw” Kadutski, Kaleb “Formula One” Flamand, “Top Gunner” Crawford, and Braylee “Little Willy” Lesyk. Down by a goal in the last minute of the game, the Avalanche pulled the goalie for an extra attacker. Unfortunately, the NorthStars scored an empty net goal to seal a 4–2 win. Sometimes pulling the goalie works and you score; other times, it backfires, and you lose by two. But you’ll never know unless you try!