UPDATED AT 8:07 AM ON THURSDAY, MARCH 22
Powell River Midget Rep Kings had an early start in the playoff round at the BC Hockey Midget Tier 3 Championships in West Vancouver on Wednesday, March 21, but the payoff was worth it.
The team faced off against Terrace at 7 am in the first semi-final and skated to a 7-2 win to earn a spot in the final game of the tournament. Cam McNeil and Griffin Beaureguard each scored twice for the Kings. Carson Cecconi, Carter Alexander and Marcus Berghauser also found the back of the net to seal the win.
At 8 pm, the midget reps faced Mission in the second game of the day for both teams and came away with a 3-1 win to earn the provincial title.
After trailing 1-0 at the end of the first period, Beaureguard took a pass from Liam Schrieber on an power play and converted to even the game at one. With time running out in second period, Berghauser and Fernando Menendez broke away on a two-on-one rush, which ended in a goal-mouth scramble. Cecconi then banged in the go-ahead goal with three seconds left on the clock.
According to coach Andy Welsh, goaltender Cam Stevenson made several big saves in a back-and-forth third period to hold the lead. Cecconi stole the puck from the Mission goaltender with seven minutes remaining in the game while shorthanded and passed to Drew Sundberg, who added the insurance goal into a wide-open net for a 3-1 lead.
“Sundberg and Cecconi, two first-year players, had monster tournaments and connected on numerous shorthanded opportunities,” said Welsh. “Mission threatened with some pressure late, but we played some strong defensive hockey, led by third-year defenseman Joel Lewis, who played amazing shut-down hockey.”
Powell River outscored its opponents by an impressive margin of 43-10 in their final nine playoff games. Stevenson and Ryan Smillie provided outstanding goaltending throughout the post-season and the commitment to playing team defence put the hockey club over the top, said Welsh.
“It was an incredible week of hockey and I’m so proud of every single player on this team,” added the coach. “We want to thank every business and individual in Powell River who stepped up and donated money to help make this dream a possibility for these boys.”
The midget reps finished with an overall record of four wins and one tie at the four-day tournament.
Powell River Bantam Rep Kings also played twice on March 21. After dropping a 6-2 semi-final decision in the morning to the hosts from Nelson, BC, the team bounced back to claim the bronze medal with a 3-2 win over Penticton later in the day. After a scoreless first period, both teams scored once in the second, including Jeffrey Chernoff for the Kings. Luke Shipley and Matteo Porchetta scored third-period goals to secure the win and a spot on the podium.
