It wasn’t the perfect ending for the ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµappEagles Atom A team but a trip to the final of the annual ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµappCup Atom A tournament is nothing to be ashamed of.
ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµappfell 11-3 to the Alberni Valley Bulldogs in Monday’s (Feb. 9) final and it capped off a strong Family Day Long Weekend of action for the local kids.
The Eagles were slotted in Group D at the event and kicked off the tournament with a 7-6 win in shootout over the North Shore Winterclub on Thursday (Feb. 5). ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµappthen bat the Quesnel Thunder 3-2 to place first in round robin play.
ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµapphit the ice twice on Sunday (Feb. 8) and posted two big wins 6-1 over Ridge Meadows and 5-0 over North Delta to advance to the final on Monday.
The semi-final win over North Delta was a team effort from Squamish, as goalie Kai Haywood had a shutout and the team got a pair of goals from Noel Harper and Jobey Pearson. Aedan Loughran also scored in the win.
ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµappgot into penalty trouble early against Alberni Valley and couldn’t recover. The Eagles drew to within two goals twice in the second period but the Bulldogs built up a 7-2 lead and eventually won 11-3.
Bulldogs player Grayson Ericsson was dominant, scoring three goals and three assists in the win. ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµappgot goals from Marcus Rempel, Harper and Pearson.
In other local minor hockey news, the ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµappEagles juvenile club kicked off the playoffs with an 8-1 win over North Vancouver on Feb. 3. The Eagles got goals from Isshin Chiyasu (two), Ryan Fraser (two), Terry Clark, Graham Raschella, Shawn Gerhardt and Daniel Munn.
The juvenile team continues its playoff run in ÃÛÌÒÊÓÆµappon Saturday (Feb. 14) with a face-off time of 7 p.m.
For more information on local minor hockey, visit www.squamishminorhockey.com.