The first Kootenay Warriors Spring Hockey Challenge wrapped up this past weekend at Western Financial Place in Cranbrook and according to organizers, it went off without a hitch.
“It was a fantastic weekend,” said organizer Corey Spring in a team press release. “Things kicked off on Friday night with some exciting end-to-end hockey that continued right through Sunday.
“Beyond the on-ice action, we had great spectators and the out of town teams had many positive comments about the Warriors Challenge and the hospitality they received from city businesses during their stay.”
The 2006 Okanagan All Stars claimed the first edition of the spring hockey challenge with a decisive 7-1 victory over the West Kootenay Avalanche April 19.
Comprised of players from Cranbrook and Kimberley, the local 2006 Warriors squad registered a record of 2-1-1 over the weekend, including an 8-4 victory in the third-place game against the Southern Alberta Battle.
The four-team tournament opened Friday night as the local Kootenay Warriors went head-to-head with the eventual-champion Okanagan All Stars, with the tilt ending in a 4-4 draw.
In its first year, the Kootenay Warriors Spring Hockey Program features teams in the 2004, 2005 and 2006 age divisions.
In addition to the 2006 Warriors Challenge, the 2004 and 2005 Warriors teams played exhibition games against 2004 and 2005 Southern Alberta Battle outfits.
The 2004 Warriors wrapped their three-game exhibition set with a record of 0-2-1, while the 2005 Warriors came out 1-2-0 after the weekend.
“We would like to sincerely thank the volunteers and the business community for supporting us,” Spring said. “This is a new program and its success relies on the support we receive from parents and the community, so we are very grateful to everyone who contributed through the donation of gifts, sponsorship, or by volunteering their time.”
2006 Kootenay Warriors Spring Hockey Challenge
Friday, April 17Kootenay Warriors 4 vs. Okanagan All Stars 4
Saturday, April 18Kootenay Warriors 9 vs. West Kootenay Avalanche 4Okanagan All Stars 3 vs. Sourthern Alberta Battle 2W. Kootenay Avalanche 3 vs. Okanagan All Stars 1Kootenay Warriors 1 vs. Southern Alberta Battle 7
Sunday, April 19West Kootenay Avalanche 6 vs. Southern Alberta Battle 5
Third place vs. Fourth place:Kootenay Warriors 8 vs. Southern Alberta Battle 4
Second place vs. First place:West Kootenay Avalanche 1 vs. Okanagan All Stars 7