Kelowna Heat Blast Tournament - semi-finals set

Update:  Vancouver Selects 8 - BC Blackhawks 1 will meet the Manitoba Falcons in the final


The Kelowna Heat Blast tournament featured all the top teams from each for the western provinces, giving us a good look at some of the top talent in that age group this weekend.  The Western Canada pool featured two of the top teams from Alberta, the Saskatoon Jr. Blades and the Manitoba Falcons.  While the BC pool had the normal power-house teams Vancouver Selects Blue and the Vancouver Vipers joined by the BC Blackhawks and the '99 Hawks.

The BC Division teams weren't as powerful as they have been in seasons past with the Vipers going 1-3-0 and the Selects Blue just 2-2-0.  While in the western Canada division, the Alberta Alliance went 4-0-0, Manitoba Falcons 3-0-1 to lead the way.

However, it will be the BC Division winner playing the western Canada division winner in the finals this afternoon.  The BC Division will see the BC Blackhawks vs. the VancouverSelects in the first semi-final while the Alberta Alliance will play the Manitoba Falcons.

Players who have been stand-outs
BC Blackhawks
The Blackhawks are led by a pair of very strong defenseman in Nick Marsh and Nick Watson.  Up front, the Blackhawks will look to Jordan Sandhu, Eric Bourhill and Jamie Wallace.  Conner Bosa can be reliable in goal for the Blackhawks.

Vancouver Vipers
The Vipers are led by our #1 overall ranked '99 prospect Jordy Bellerive and his team-mate with NSWC Justin Almeida.  Brett Stapley can be very good as well.  Nolan Kneen anchors the defense while Dorin Luding.

Alberta Alliance
The Alberta Alliance has gone a perfect 4-0-0 in the tournament and outscoring their oppenents 24-7.  They have been led by Ryan Peckford and Trey Fix-Wolansky.  Landon Bishop, Josh Paterson and Arjun Atwal.    Many of the players on Alberta Alliance are from the Alberta Peewee provincials finalists Edmonton Oilkings and St. Albert.

Manitoba Falcons
The Falcons have many of the top players in the 99 age group from the province of Manitoba.  They have gone 3-0-1 and outscored their opponents 20-8.  The tie came against Jordy Bellerive and the BC Blackhawks 1-1.  The Falcons have been led by Stelios Mattheos who has 5-5-10 so far in the tournament while Connor Gutenberg has also been very effective with 4-3-7 and Josh Brook has put up some good numbers as well.  Defensively, Brayden Pachal from Estevan and Austin Johnston have led the way.  It should be noted that Mattheos, Alaire and Doyle all played bantam hockey last year.

We'll keep you up to date with results via twitter or on the website.

**There have been a few posters asking about a Saskatoon Jr. Blades roster for 99 born and who has looked good.  Some of the players who have been standouts are....Forwards - Riley Sawchuk, Jake Leschyshyn, Erik Gardiner, Dino Antonaidis and Brody Vogel.  Defenseman - Evan Thomas has been strong and goalie Tye Morin.