Maniacs take men’s title
The Maniacs got three goals from Justin Jepsen and outstanding goaltending by Mike Parr en route to a 6-2 victory over the Vipers in the final of the Merritt men’s rec hockey tournament on the weekend.
Other goal scorers for the Maniacs in the championship game on Sunday were Matt Keough, Dalton Suzuki and Arnie Gray, while Christian Guay and Brad Denton replied for the Vipers.
The Maniacs made it to the ‘A’ final thanks to round robin wins over the Lagers (7-3), the Young Nationals from Surrey (5-0) and Logan Lake (9-4).
Meanwhile, the Vipers were winners against the Trailer Park Boys from Coquitlam (4-0) and the local Jagr Bombers (6-3). Their only loss came at the hands of last year’s tournament champions, the Silverbacks (10-4).
Winner of the ‘B’ final was Logan Lake with a 4-3 victory over the Trailer Park Boys.
The champion Maniacs (back row, left to right) Ian Ward, Brian Haight, Trent Abraham, Warren Stirling, Clint Garcia, Dalton Suzuki, Aaron Cleaveley, Justin Jepsen, Matt Keough, (front row) Jeremy Long, Mike Parr, Miles Padley, and Andrew Ward. Missing: Dustin Shackelly, Peter Schmidt, Jasen Micallef. Ian Webster/Herald
A total of eight teams took part in the three-day tournament at the Nicola Valley Memorial Arena, a number that could have been a lot higher according to organizer Brian Barrett.
“We could have easily had 10-12 teams this year. There was plenty of interest. Next year, we’ll look at trying to free up a bit more ice time so that we can accommodate more teams.”
Thrashers settle for fourth
Out-of-town teams swept the top-three places in the annual Queens ladies’ rec hockey tournament at the Shulus arena on the weekend.
It was the Vernon Vixens who finished at the top of the heap with a 4-2 win over the Kamloops Coyotes in the ‘A’ final on Sunday.
In the ‘B’ final, the Lucky Loggers from Kamloops felled the local Thrashers 6-5 in a game that saw the host side battle back from a pair of three-goal deficits to make things interesting.
Thrasher scorers in the consolation final were Erin Lemon-Peters with two goals, Sadie Colter, Vicki Taylor and Dayna Charters.
The Thrashers (back row, left to right) Majorie Malone, Paulette Racine, Dayna Charters, Darcie Kernachan-Steek, Chelsea Spahan, Vicki Klassen, (front row) Crystal Ward-McGowan, Erin Lemon-Peters, Jill Starrs, Sadie Colter, Amanda Russell-Billy, Vicki Taylor, Jen Hodson-Reid. Missing: Brittani Ketlo. Ian Webster/Herald
The Thrashers earned their way into the ‘B’ final with wins over the Armstrong Falcons (5-2) and the local Krushers (2-0).
In addition to the Thrashers and Krushers, other Nicola Valley teams were the Prowlers and Fur Real.
