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Memorable tournament for Bantam Tier 2 Silvertips

Tips attend Kamloops International Bantam Ice Hockey Tournament with 500 young, talented hockey players from all over North America.

On Jan. 1 the Salmon Arm Scotiabank Bantam Tier 2 Silvertips began what could be their most memorable hockey tournament ever.

They attended the KIBIHT (Kamloops International Bantam Ice Hockey Tournament)with approximately 500 young, talented hockey players from all over North America.

The Tips faced the Prince George Cougars first, a team the Tips have tied before, but not this time. The final score was 5-1 for Prince George. Salmon Arm’s lone goal came from Evan Hughes (game MVP).

On Jan. 2 the Tips faced the Okanagan Hockey Academy, and the change was evident. Salmon Arm was up 1-0 after the first period with a nice tip by Dylan McBeth from a sizzler by Jason Herd (game MVP). In the second the Tips got ahead 2-0 with a shot from Trajan Boyd. Goals then came from Tyler Chartier via a beautiful pass from Matthew Dolinar, and an incredible contribution from Hughes with a hat trick for a 6-3 win. Ryan Freed was solid in the Tips’ net, making numerous key saves.

The evening game saw Salmon Arm go up against a tough opponent from Mission. The Tips played a great first period which ended 1-1. The second period brought a beautiful shot from Aaron Plessis (game MVP) who worked hard all tournament. A score of 2-1 for the Tips was followed by three unanswered power-play goals from Mission. The third period in the third game in a 27-hour period proved that Mission’s stamina outlasted Salmon Arm’s. Final score, 9-2.

Friday the Tips were evenly matched with North Delta. The first period finished at two goals apiece with Ben Wardman (game MVP) and Hughes scoring. The second period ended at 3-2 for the Tips, again from Hughes. The third brought a consistent issue for the Tips throughout the tournament – stringent officiating. The contest ended 5-3 in favour of North Delta. Devon Blackmore took the loss in goal despite making some key saves to keep the team in the game. Salmon Arm’s defensive squad of Noah Paterson, Jordan Campagnolo, Steven Luchkanych, Herd, Austin-Anthony Jules and Cameron Watson all played an amazing tournament.

The final game for the Tips was Saturday versus Williams Lake. Hughes notched the first tally, one of two he potted. A beautiful goal came from Austin Anthony-Jules (game MVP) on a nice feed from Dolinar, as well as one from Wardman in a penalty riddled game and a 5-4 loss.

Other integral members of the offensive squad were Harley Bootsma and Trent Thompson. A standing ovation goes to netminders Freed and Blackmore for their exemplary performance, stamina and resolve.