The Sunshine Coast Midget Rep Blues ended 2004 on a high note, winning their final game at a holiday tournament in New Westminster.
The Blues were matched up against one team from their league division and three teams from the U.S. The competition was tough, and other factors off the ice also added to the struggle for the Blues.
"Throughout the tournament, we were battling the flu bug and the injury bug," said Blues' media liaison Jac Cawsey.
In game one, the Blues started strong against a team from Fresno, Calif. The U.S. team was playing its second game of the day, but seemed to have stronger legs as the game wore on.
Blues' coach Russ McLeod had to mix and match lines to keep the healthy players on the ice. Penalty problems kept the Blues playing a lot of the game short-handed, and they suffered a 5-2 loss.
The next day, the Blues had two games.
"We found out one of them, against division rival New Westminster, was considered a league game," Cawsey said. "We didn't find this out until after the game. With our side missing two players due to penalties assessed the game before, we had to play a number of mixed lines. We beat New West in the tiering round but weren't able to come up with a strong game against them. The hustle just wasn't there."
Cawsey said one of the highlights was watching David Moran take a penalty shot after being tripped on a breakaway.
"David deked the goaltender out of his shorts on a backhand shot to his stick side," Cawsey said.
Day three saw the Blues playing another U.S. team. The Blues went into the game with the same record of 0-3. The game was for pride and the Blues came out fighting.
"We were short players once again and had to go with four defence and eight forwards," Cawsey said. "Defenceman Matt Yarrow was moved to forward and by going to the net after some great passing plays was awarded with two goals."
Daniel Martin and Jordan Cawsey set the tone early with some big hits along the boards and the Blues played a complete game from start to finish.
"Once our team took it to the body and finished our checks, the ice opened up for our passing game," Cawsey added. "Overall this was the best game of the tournament for us and also one of the best games we have played all year. Russ said he was pleased with the discipline shown by the team and has high hopes we can carry this newly gained momentum into the New Year."
Peewees go 2-2The Peewee Blues finished with a record of 2-2 at a holiday tournament in Chilliwack.
The Blues beat Kent, Wash. 7-2, beat Ridge Meadows 8-1, lost 5-4 to Port Coquitlam and lost 9-2 to Mt. View from Wash.Game MVPs were Jack Parker, Brendan Laird, Matt Brown and Brenton Keyser, while Sara Bradshaw was voted Most Sportsmanlike player for the Blues.
"We completed our first three games in the space of 18.5 hours," said coach Brent Parker. "We then had a day and a half off until our final game. Mountain View Mavericks from Washington State was some of the best competition we have seen all year. I would have liked to give them a game when our players weren't so exhausted."
