The Merritt Tracker Sportswear midgets hosted their annual Ice Breaker tournament on the weekend to bring in the New Year.

Due to the last minute cancellation of one of the teams, the local midget reps were forced to play back-to-back games on Friday afternoon that included a change of venues between games.

The Tracker midgets opened with an impressive 10-2 victory over 100 Mile House in Merritt. Nolan Prowal had a five-goal performance while Lane Antoine notched a hat trick. Tyler Edward and AP Travis Sterling added singles. Tyrel Suzuki picked up the win in net while AP Noah Racine was game MVP.

In the second half of their doubleheader, Merritt was defeated 6-3 out in Shulus by the eventual tournament champions from Abbotsford. Merritt goals came from Edward, Grady Musgrave and Brayden Thormoset. The game MVP went to Tracker goalie Sam Suzuki.

Game three for Merritt on Saturday morning ended in a 3-3 tie with Prince George. Merritt scorers were Edward, Prowal and Marcelo Bose. Game MVP was defenceman Jessie Cunningham.

The PG game was followed by a 7-2 Merritt victory over Chilliwack in the evening. Tracker scorers were Edward, Musgrave, Racine, Antoine, Grayson McMaster, Dakota Wudrich and Bradley Colter. Antoine was also the game MVP.

Merritt finished up the round robin portion of the tournament in second place. In a tense semi-final battle on Sunday morning, they defeated Prince George 5-3. Merritt scorers were Prowal (with a hat trick), Bose and Colter.

Merritt battled hard in the final against Abbotsford Sunday afternoon but ended up losing 9-2. Local scorers were Edward and Prowal.

In all four preliminary games, the Merritt midget reps added three or more members of the local Murray GM bantam rep team to their ranks. The call-ups played admirably.

The Merritt side still had a great deal to be proud of in taking the second-place trophy.

Atom Development

The Fountain Tire atoms returned to action on Jan. 5, as they travelled to Osoyoos for a game against the South Okanagan Jr. Coyotes. The Merritt team came home with an 11-2 victory.

Goal scorers for Merritt’s Jr. Centennials were Max Graham (6), Sajjin Lali, Breanna Ouellet, Chase Cooke, Matthew Newman and Azaria McDonnell.

Bantam Girls

The McDonald’s bantam girls continued their run of winning games on the weekend, defeating Lillooet twice on Saturday by scores of 12-0 and 12-1, and rolling over Kamloops 9-0 on Sunday.

It was a well-rounded weekend with numerous goal-scorers. Emma Ferch picked up all three wins for Merritt in net.

There are no minor hockey games at home this weekend due to adult hockey tournaments at both the Nicola Valley and Shulus arenas.