Another weekend, another round of MML action. The Cariboo Cougars are on top of the standings with 17 points in hand, thanks to an 8-1-1 record. Okanagan’s Marcus Mitchell continued his scoring streak, and his 11 goals lead the league so far this season.
A pair of Valley West players, Trevor Ayre and Luke Gingras, are in the lead for points, with 19 apiece. Catch up on the latest MML scores and news with this Week 5 update.
North Island Silvertips vs. Okanagan Rockets
Game 1: North Island 4, Okanagan 6
Game 2: North Island 3, Okanagan 4
The Rockets made the trip to Nanaimo, and came away with two wins over the weekend. Game 1 was closer than the score line indicated – Zach Erhardt, Marcus Mitchell (3), Connor Bowey, and Carter Rhine scored for the Rockets.
After the Rockets took a 5-1 lead going into the third period, the Silvertips attempted a comeback and managed to score three (3) goals, but still fell short.
The North Island goals were scored by Trey Watson, Owen Hardy, Nico Somerville, and Kyle Topping.
Game 2 was even closer, but the Rockets kept their lead the entire game to win 4-3. Rhine, Levi Johnson, Danny Gatenby, and Brandon Whistle scored for the Rockets, while Matthew O’Dwyer, Will Norman, and Sage Lim scored for the Silvertips.
Thompson Blazers vs. Cariboo Cougars
Game 1: Thompson 2, Cariboo 5
Game 2: Thompson 2, Cariboo 11
Cariboo continued its hot streak, winning both games to stay at the top of the MML standings. Game 1 saw the Blazers take the early lead, thanks to Jordan Rea’s goal just 21 seconds into the period. Cariboo’s Steven Jandric scored at 13:21 in the second, and opened the door for the Cougars.
While Thompson’s Brendan Mongey mustered one more goal, the Cougars took over in the third period thanks to goals from Colton Thomas, Alex Hanson, and Todd Bredo (2).
In Game 2, Mongey and Tyler Collens scored for the Blazers, but Cariboo exploded for 11 goals to win handily. Thomas (2), Justin Almeida (2), Chase Dubois, Darren Hards, Brendan Moore (2), Austin Gray (2), and Mitchell Williams scored for the Cougars.
Fraser Valley Thunderbirds vs. Greater Vancouver Canadians
Game 1: Fraser Valley 3, Greater Vancouver 3
Game 2: Fraser Valley 4, Greater Vancouver 2
Game 1 between Fraser Valley and Greater Vancouver took place in Abbotsford, and resulted in a rare tie. After a scoreless first period, the Canadian’s Samuel Atkins opened the scoring, with Gary Dhaliwal scoring less than a minute later.
However, Fraser Valley’s Nic Ponak and Jamie Housch responded in the second to tie the game up. Greater Vancouver’s EJ Shaw and Fraser Valley’s Brice Sharp both scored powerplay goals in the final frame to see the game end in a tie.
Game 2 was at the Richmond Oval, but Fraser Valley seemed comfortable on “away” ice and scored four (4) goals to take the win. Ponak (2), and Alex Furlan (2) scored for the Thunderbirds, while Sami Pharaon and Tyson Lin scored for the Canadians.
Kootenay Ice vs. Valley West Hawks
Game 1: Kootenay 0, Valley West 7
Game 2: Kootenay 7, Valley West 11
Game 1 was fairly lopsided, with the Hawks blanking the Ice and scoring seven (7) goals thanks to efforts from Luke Gingras, Trevor Ayre (2), Jeffrey Stewart, Shakeel Ebrahim, Matt Barberis, and Wyatt Hicks.
Game 2 saw an avalanche of goals, with both teams combining for 18 goals. It’s not often that a team scores seven (7) goals and loses, but unfortunately that was the story for Kootenay on Sunday.
The Ice’s Tanner Costa got a hat trick, and Korbyn Chabot, Ellis Junker, Aigne McGeady-Bruce, and Shawn Campbell also added to the score sheet. The visiting Hawks got their goals from Stewart (3), Ayre, Logan Webber, Daniel Chifan, James Malm (3), Christian Bosa, and Ian Ross.
South Island Royals vs. Vancouver Northeast Chiefs
Game 1: South Island 6, Vancouver NE 4
Game 2: South Island 1, Vancouver NE 6
In Game 1, the Chiefs just couldn’t contain the Royals. Despite goals from Callum Volpe, Matthew Davis, Devon Stafford, and Kyle Johnson, it was a losing effort for Vancouver Northeast due to six (6) Royals goals. Parker Ellis, Tanner Sidaway, Tyler Preziuso, Andrew Jack, and Kayden Peck (2) scored for South Island.
Game 2 saw a reversal of fortunes, as the Royals only mustered one (1) goal by Cam Coutre, and the Chiefs got six (6) on the board. Davis, Brandon Armstrong, San Chung, Chong Min Lee (2), Parker Colley scored for Vancouver Northeast.
