By Jarrett Spannier, Revelstoke Minor Hockey
Fourteen local Bantam hockey players were in Fraser Lake to compete in the Tier 4 Provincial Championships this past week. Six teams from around the province competed for the right to host the championship banner.
The Grizzlies opened against Windermere Valley. Ray Speerbrecker, Cam Mackenzie (2) and Jacob Ancell scored for Revelstoke in a game that would end in controversy. An originally disallowed goal was counted, giving Windermere a 5-4 lead. It was a tough pill to swallow as the goal was scored with an Windermere player lying on top of the Revelstoke goalie.
With their backs against the wall knowing another loss would knock them out of the championship, Revelstoke responded with the game of the tournament. Pitted against the tournament favourite Whistler, the boys came out flying. Cam Mackenzie (2) and Rory Christie-Hoyle (2) provided the goals. Backstopped by a 53 save performance by Spencer Spannier, Revelstoke won 4-3 to even their record at one and one.
With momentum on their side, goalie Noah Newsome then lead Revelstoke to a 9-1 victory over Houston. Callum Gribbon’s 3-point performance (1G, 2A), with goals by Ray Speerbrecker (2), Cam Mackenzie (3), Jacob Ancell (2) and Kohen Martin showed that Revelstoke was a tournament favourite going forward.
Revelstoke then played Fraser Lake, jumping out to a 4-1 first period lead with goals by Jeremy Scarcella and Rory Christie-Hoyle (3), but saw the lead evaporate in a penalty filled second period. Revy had two disallowed goals in the game and Fraser Lake scored a controversial go ahead goal in the third before Cam Mackenzie tied the game late in the period. The tie cost Revelstoke their spot in the championship game.
Revelstoke closed the tournament with a match against Burns Lake to decide who would finish third. Jake ‘Top-gun’ Ancell’s hat-trick, plus goals from Mackenzie and Speerbrecker helped Revelstoke to a 6-5 win.
All the skaters of the Revelstoke Bantams earned at least one point during the tournamnet, a clear indication of the all-around team effort. Throughout the tournament defensemen Rylan Bokis, Ben MacDonald, Conner Templeton, Tyson Marsh and Jeremy Scarcella were instrumental in helping to protect the back end and Hayden Mallett was up to his usual peskiness in front of the opponent's net.
The coaching staff could not be more proud of how the boys conducted themselves throughout the week. BC hockey presented Revelstoke with the Fair Play Award for their performance on and off the ice.
The team took no unsportsmanlike penalties and were ambassadors for the community of Revelstoke, receiving positive praise from organizers, community members and BC hockey officials.
The boys embraced the Fraser Lake grade four class that was chosen to be their cheering squad with photo sessions, autograph sessions and raised stick salutes. BC Hockey recognized them for showing what sportsmanship, leadership and fair play is all about.