St. Albert Tournament Underway

A pair of games have been completed already at the 33rd annual John Reid Memorial Tournament held in St. Albert. The tournament is being held at Servus Place at three different rinks. If anyone is in and around St. Albert, go check the WHL stars of tomorrow this weekend. Most of the top teams across western Canada are taking part and it will be great action through-out the weekend. Also, try and bring a donation for the St. Albert food back as a thank you to the community for being great hosts.

We will do our best to update the blog this weekend in between games, or back in Edmonton where me and my family are anchored down. Should've booked earlier I guess! Some early action today to start things off.

Notre Dame (1-0-0) 5 - Seafair (0-1-0) 2
One of the pre-tournament favourties were able to break a 2-2 tie in the 3rd and defeat the PCAHA's Seafair Islanders 5-2. The Hounds were led by team leading scorer Blake Penner with 2 goals. Penner has 29-22-51 in 16 exhibition games in the SSBHL. Also for Notre Dame it was Ben Duperreault with a pair of assists and Quebec born Maxime Chevalier with a pair of assists as well. For Seafair, it was a pair of kids who will go in the first round likely with Alec Dawydiak and Tyler Sandhu scoring goals. Shots on goal were: Notre Dame 42 - Seafair 27

Spruce Grove (1-0-0) 5 - Airdrie (0-1-0) 3
A pair of teams who have been in and out of the WEHP Top 10 rankings all season long went head to head today and it was Spruce Grove scoring 3 un-answered goals in the 3rd to win 5-3. Matthew McNeil scored his 3rd of the game with just under 2 minutes remaining to give Spruce Grove their first lead of the game and was the game winner. Cardinal, Miller, Bizeau and Foster all had 2 points in addition to McNeil's 3-1-4. For Airdrie, it was Chartier, Wong and Paul replying with markers. Shots on goal were: Spruce Grove 33 - Airdrie 28

Burnaby (1-0-0) 7 - Phoenix (0-1-0) 0
Another of the pre-tournament favourites flexed their muscles on opening day by walking over the lone team from south of the border 7-0. 97 born star, Chris Seto scored a natural hat-trick in the 3rd period to salt this one away. Cameron Seto had 2-1-3 and a pair of other 97 born forwards; Justin Szeto and Mathew Barzal each scored 1-1-2. Maniel Rana turned aside all 22 shots for the shut out victory. Johnny Walker had a solid game on defense for Phoenix today.
Shots on goal were: BWC 36 - Phoenix 22

St. Albert (1-0-0) 2 - Red Deer (0-1-0) 1
St. Albert made the home town fans happy with a tournament opening win for their squad 2-1 over the very game Red Deer squad. St. Albert who owns the AMBHL's 2nd best GAA were able to hold Red Deer to just 25 shots as Patrick Gora turned aside 24/25. Paul Lovsin scored a goal just as time was running out in the first period and Tyler Mrkonjic scored the eventual game winner early in the 3rd. Mike Doell scored late in the 3rd to make it close for Red Deer. Zach Gonek did a good job all game vs. Red Deer star Ty Mappin. Red Deer defenseman Logan Hermus was giving a 2+10 for a check to the head in the 3rd.
Shots on goal were: St. Albert 21 - Red Deer 25

Calgary Bisons (1-0-0) 8 - Winnipeg Hawks (0-1-0) 1
In what was supposed to be a showdown between two of the better teams in western Canada, turned to be nothing more than a blowout against the explosive Calgary Bisons. The game was 7-0 at about the midway point. The Hawks, who are undefeated in their league this season were held to just a lone goal from Dane Schioler and Adam Brooks was held to just the 1 assist. Winnipeg Hawks goalie, Zach Hoger allowed 8 goals on 29 shots. The Bisons were led by Landon Welykholowa with 3 goals and 97 born forward Nick Merkley with 2-2-4. Merkley is the younger brother of WHL '10 first rounder Jon Merkley. As for the Tanner MacMaster and Brayden Point watch....MacMaster had 2-1-3 and Point had 0-2-2. MacMaster and Lisi had a bit of a dust up in the 2nd period.
Shots on goal were: Calgary Bisons 29 - Winnipeg Hawks 25

Sherwood Park (1-0-0) 1 - Pursuit of Excellence (0-1-0) 0
A low scoring battle today in which there was just 42 total shots on goal saw the defensive minded Sherwood Park Flyers get by POE in a slight upset 1-0. The lone goal was scored about half way through the 2nd period by 97 defenseman Cameron Reagan. Reagan is having a very strong rookie season for Sherwood Park this season and should be a high pick next year. Peyton Lee and Trevor Martin both were solid despite not being overly busy and showed why they'll be high picks in the bantam draft.
Shots on goal were: Sherwood Park 20 - POE 22

Kamloops (1-0-0) 4 - Leduc (0-1-0) 2
In a battle of two of the WEHP top 10 teams, it was Kamloops who built up a 3-0 lead and held on for the 4-2 victory. Kamloops scored a couple first period goals by Carson Bolduc and Carter Cochrane and a 2nd perid marker by team leading scorer Chad Butcher to vault out to the lead. However, recently converted forward to defenseman Kord Pankewicz scored a late 2nd period marker, followed by an early 3rd period goal to cut the gap to 4-2 final. Joe Hicketts had a strong showing with 1-2-3 and chad Butcher 1-1-2 and Ryan Gropp 2 assists. Pankewicz and Hicketts should both be first rounders in May. Of note, Monty Chisholm took a 5 minute major for cross checking and a game. Also, Leduc defenseman took a 5 minute major for Interference and a game.
Shots on goal were: Kamloops 42 - Leduc 26

Edmonton SSAC (0-0-1) 3 - Calgary Royals (0-0-1) 3
The top team in the ambhl North took on one of the better south squads and were fit to be tied at 3. The Royals came back from 2-0 and 3-1 deficits to force the tie. Simpson, Debrusk and 97 born forward Estephan scored for SSAC while Reid Duke scored all 3 goals for the Calgary Royals. Duke has come up big several times in tournaments this season and once again showed why he'll be a high first round pick.
Shots on goal were: Calgary Royals 37 - Edmonton SSAC 32