Penticton was represented well in the Kamloops International Bantam Ice Hockey tournament over the weekend.
The Okanagan Hockey Academy bantam prep team and the Murray GM tier 2 Vees finished second and third, respectively. The OHA team’s lone loss in the tournament came in the final, 5-3 against Delta Academy Wild Prep in the tier 1 Randy Lindros Division.
“I’m really proud of our boys this weekend,” said OHA co-coach Kip Noble, adding that the things he and co-coach Dixon Ward have been trying to teach the players are finally clicking in.
Noble said his group played very well, however, just were unable to build on 2-0 and 3-2 leads. They hit two posts while outshooting Delta 40-28.
In round robin action, OHA thrashed the Airdrie Xtreme 8-0, then downed the Richmond Blue 5-1 before wrapping up with a tight 3-2 victory over the Cloverdale Colts. Victories over the Prince George Cougars and Program of Excellence Prep put them in the final.
Murray GM Vees
The work ethic of the Vees impressed coach Dennis Pisiak, who watched his team erase a 3-0 Kamloops Raiders lead to win 4-3 in overtime in the Tier 2 Founder Division.
“They just battled back. They just worked hard,” said Pisiak. “They never gave up. Once we got the first goal, we kept going. Ecstatic the way they came back and won.”
Pisiak said the win gives his players confidence knowing they will be rewarded if they work hard.
“The boys did an outstanding job,” he said.
The Vees dominated play in the first period, but a few penalties cost them as the Raiders took a 2-0 lead into the second period.
The Vees opened the tournament with a 3-2 loss to the Vancouver Thunderbirds, then picked up wins against the Seattle Sno-King and Edge School. In the playoff round, the Vees defeated POE Varsity 2-1 then lost to the Thunderbirds again, this time 4-1, missing out on the chance to play in the championship game.
Pisiak said playing in KIBIHT was a great experience for the kids. Exposing the players to a higher level of competition and facing stronger teams was good. Pisiak said his players were happy to get the invite for KIBIHT.
“It’s one of the better tournaments around,” he said. “This is probably the biggest one in B.C.”