Powell River Midget Reps have advanced to the BC Hockey Midget Tier 3 provincial championship.
When time ran out and players jumped on the ice to celebrate a 7-4 win over Tri-Port in game two of the best-of-three Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association Midget Tier 3 final series on Saturday, February 29, Queen’s “We Are The Champions” blared through the sound system at Hap Parker Arena.
Special teams were key in the 7-4 win. Powell River capitalized on four power play opportunities and added two shorthanded goals. Gavin Mastrodonato scored the only even-strength goal for the home team in the first period, then added a shorthand marker in the second and a power play goal in the third to complete a hat-trick.
Jackson Frost opened the scoring for Powell River; both teams scored twice in the first 20 minutes.
Powell River led five three after the second period, with Jake McCormick scoring twice to join Mastrodonato and Frost on the score sheet.
While killing a penalty midway through the third period, Callum Street stole the puck from a Tri-Port opponent just inside the Powell River blueline, skated in alone on a breakaway and buried an insurance goal into the top corner of the net.
Powell River continued to press to add to the lead, but the opposing goalie Avary Miller put in a strong performance, stopping several attempts to keep Tri-Port in the game.
The visitors responded with one more goal, but Mastrodonato sealed the win and series by rounding out the scoring with his third of the afternoon late in the period.
Gavin and Cohen Mastrodonato, Gavin Gendron, Matteo Porchetta, Ruven Hoppe and Street each help set up goals during the game.
“It was a close game but we earned it today,” said assistant coach Scott Mastrodonato.
Powell River won game one of the series in Port Hardy on February 22 by a score of 7-1.
BC Hockey Midget Tier 3 Championships take place in Summerland from March 15 to 20. Powell River finished fourth last season when the tournament was held in Cranbrook.
