The BC Junior A Tier 2 Championship are underway and four teams have begun their quest for the Mowat Cup at the Civic Centre in Kimberley, B.C.
Competing for the cup are KIJHL champions the Revelstoke Grizzlies, PJHL champions the Ridge Meadow Flames, VIJHL champions the Saanich Predators and host team Kimberley Dynamiters.
The action got underway at 1 p.m. with Revelstoke squaring up against Saanich. Last year the Grizzlies won the Cyclone Taylor Cup, before these three leagues were designated Junior A Tier 2 and started vying for the historic Mowat Cup.
“The Mowat Cup has long symbolized Junior A hockey excellence in British Columbia,” BC Hockey CEO Cameron Hope said in an interview on bchockeynet.
“It’s fitting to see its return, and we all look forward to seeing a champion hold it high in Kimberley for the first time in several seasons.”
READ MORE: BC Hockey approves Junior A status for three Junior B hockey leagues
The first goal of the tournament was scored by Revelstoke’s Alexander Bronswyk seven minutes into the first.
The Grizzlies would then capitalize on back-to-back penalties with goals from Mikkel Hrechka and Colton McLeod. Jake Westhaver put the Predators on the board with a few minutes remaining in the first.
The Grizzlies resumed their onslaught early in the second period, with Bronswyk getting his second goal and Kuy Schmirler tacking on another shortly after. Brady Schwab would then make it 5-1 on a power play, before Saanich took goaltender Jaden Vanderlee off and put on Logan Elzinga.
The third period began with a shorthanded goal from Saanich’s Jake Westhaver just over a minute in. Sean Pandher would then score unassisted before Westhaver got his second of the game, making it 6-4 and giving the Predators a glimmer of hope.
However, Hrechka’s empty netter would seal the deal and the Grizzlies would take a 7-4 win in game one.