Peewee Leafs receive major test in Vernon
By The Nelson Daily Sports
By The Nelson Daily Sports
The Nelson Peewee Leafs got a taste of the big leagues during the Vernon Tier II Peewee Rep Hockey Tournament Sunday in the Central Okanagan City.
The Reps lost three of four games against some pretty impressive opposition from the Okanagan and Lower Mainland.
“The (boys) played pretty well this weekend . . . especially our goalies,” said Nelson coach Ron Podgorenko.
After starting the tournament Friday with a tough 5-4 loss to Quesnel, Nelson bounced back to bounce the Vernon Thrashers 6-2 Saturday.
The contest featured a balanced scoring attack, with six different Leaf players figuring in the scoring. Taylor Cooper, Everett Hicks, Logan Mengler, Jocob Shukin, Justin Podgorenko and Bryce Twible all scored for Nelson.
Joey Timmermans was awesome in goal, registering the game MVP for the Leafs and the win in goal.
However, the winning streak was quickly halted as Penticton Vees struck for four second-period goals to erase a 2-1 Nelson lead en route to a 6-4 victory.
Cooper and Hicks scored in the first period to power the Leafs to the early lead before the Vees offence exploded in the middle frame. Nelson tried to keep pace as Cooper, with his second of the game, and Mengler answered the Penticton explosion.
In the third the Nelson offence dried up with Penticton scoring the only goal.
Goalie Curt Doyle was solid between the pipes for Nelson.
Sunday, Nelson had nothing left in the tank as Port Moody blitzed the Leafs 6-0.
Against Quesnel, Ben Woodward, Mengler, Kaleb Comishin and Hicks scored for Nelson.
The Reps are off to South Okanagan this weekend to play in Osoyoos Peewee Rep Tournament.
sports@thenelsondaily.com
