A consistent work ethic has helped the Penticton midget Tier 2 Peerless Vees build a 4-0 record in the Okanagan Mainland Amateur Hockey Association.
The Vees pushed their record to that mark with a 6-2 win over Salmon Arm and 4-2 win against the West Kelowna Warriors.
Vees coach Dave Coombes said on Oct. 30 against Salmon Arm, their work ethic shined through.
“We got a really good team as far as guys battling one-on-one and out competing the opposition,” he said. “A consistent work ethic and never letting down. Sometimes our goals are not pretty goals or they are more in front of the net, crash and bang. They just find ways to score.”
Providing offence against Salmon Arm was Morey Babakaiff, Carson Erhardt, Reid Newson and Billy Beecroft. Alyck Coombes made 21 saves. Against West Kelowna, Beecroft, Erhardt, Babakaiff and Nick Graham scored, while Bobby Milligan was between the pipes.
The other thing the Vees are willing to do for wins is sacrifice the body. Coombes said his players block shots with a team- first attitude.
“Our guys are buying into the sacrifice part of it. Blocking a shot is a huge part,” added Coombes. “The majority of our guys, if they are not good at it, at least they are attempting it.”
The Vees next action is this weekend in Abbotsford for the Hawks’ 19th Midget Memorial tournament. On Nov. 15 the Vees host the Castlegar Rebels.
This weekend Penticton Minor Hockey Association is hosting a bantam Tier 2 tournament, featuring 12 teams, including Spokane, the Calgary Royals and Wranglers and Tri-Cities. Teams will be playing for the Scotiabank trophy. Scotiabank Penticton made a $2,000 donation to PMHA and gave its players a swag bag containing a toque, Canadian Tire Gift Card and crest. Scotiabank manager Lyle Sajna visited with teams on Nov. 3 and shared stories of his playing days and presented the players with their bags. Cara Garnett, community relations director for PMHA, said the players loved the bags and were seen leaving the rink with them.
Sajna will be present during the championship game of the tournament at Memorial Arena at 1:15 p.m. to present the trophy.
SCOTIABANK PENTICTON SCORED big for the Penticton Minor Hockey Association by donating $2,000 including giving players swag bags. Pictured are the bantam Tier 2 Vees with Scotiabank manager Lyle Sajna, in the front on far right.
Penticton opens the tournament Nov. 6 at 5:45 p.m. as they face Semiahmoo. Their second game is Nov. 7 at Memorial Arena at 8:45 a.m. against Port Coquitlam. At 3:30 p.m., they play Spokane.
The playoff format begins on Nov. 8 with the first game at 6:30 a.m. The Okanagan Hockey Academy is also playing with their first game in the SOEC OHA Training Centre at 3:30 p.m. On Nov. 6 they p lay Campbell River at 7:15 a.m. in the OHS and at 5:45 p.m. versus Calgary in Memorial Arena.