While the Penticton Tier 2 peewee Vees lost to North Vancouver 5-3 in the final game of their tournament last weekend, they still finished third.
They were able to clinch a top-three spot after one team bowed out of the tournament, according to Vees coach Greg Berkholtz. The Vees rolled over Kamloops 8-1 in their first game, then routed Salmon Arm 8-0 and defeated Port Moody 3-2.
"The team played really well," said Berkholtz, who was pleased about his team's effort against Salmon Arm since they tied them over a month ago. "We tried to play stronger teams. We could have won the North Vancouver game."
Berkholtz said the tournament was won by Vernon, a Tier 1 team, which defeated North Vancouver 4-1. Berkholtz said what his team gained from the weekend was a chance to how to compete.
"They never quit," he said. "The players have improved in the third period. Goal scoring has been down and it was good to see us scoring."
In the Okanagan Mainline Amateur Hockey Association, the Vees are 3-1-1. In 22 games overall, they have won 14.