Oceanside’s Peewee Mavericks banded together and went undefeated in four games, blanking the Cowichan Valley Venom 3-0 in the gold medal game and having a blast in their first tourney of the year.
In action way up Island Dec. 7-9 in the eight-team Port McNeill Peewee Rec Tournament, Oceanside opened on the Friday night with an 11-0 romp over Port Hardy. They knocked off Nanaimo 5-1 Saturday morning, and followed that up with a 7-3 win over the Alberni Valley Avalanche, which put them straight through to the final Sunday afternoon.
“I didn’t expect us to get first, I thought we’d end up middle of the pack (where they are in league play),” one pleased team coach Kevin Kivela said after, “but they just buckled down, and each game they got better. The whole team did so well...”
Backstopping the co-ed squad of 12 and 13 year olds was first-year goalie Shay Frederickson, who coach Kevin said “stood on his head. Best hockey I’ve ever seen him play — he had two shutouts and he kept us in it against Port Alberni. He was outstanding.
“Tournaments are great at bringing teams together,” said the dedicated coach, “and I think our team really bonded last weekend, so I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”
GAME ON
The team is home Sunday, Dec. 23 against another Oceanside team then breaks for Christmas through to the second weekend in January.