The Estevan Minor Hockey Association hosted its annual peewee house tournament Jan. 31 – Feb. 2. Sixteen teams from all across the southern Saskatchewan had a chance to show off their skills and play some good hockey throughout the weekend.
On the A-side, the two Swift Current teams locked the sticks over the champion’s title during the final game. After a strong competition, the Swift Current Chargers won over the Swift Current Stallions. The bronze went to the Strasbourg Maroons, which defeated Yorkton KB Drywall.
The B-side of the tournament was dominated by Estevan teams. The Estevan PTW Panthers won the final game, defeating the Prairie Storm Lightning. And the Estevan McGillicky Thunder placed third with a win over the Estevan Tower Wolves.
Estevan PTW Panthers coach Eric Hilstrom was quite happy with the game his team showed throughout the weekend and especially in the B-final.
“It was a good game. The kids came out and worked really hard. They were winning their individual battles,” said Hilstrom.
In the final game, the Panthers got an early lead and were leading 6-4 midway into the second. And they ended up winning 8-4. But the Prairie Storm showed some strong hockey as well.
“They are a good team. They had a few good players that we had to watch out for. We had to work hard as a team to make sure to work on the system that we put in place.”
Hilstrom noted that Panthers had a good year so far and were quite confident going into the tournament. The team has won C-side finals in Yorkton and a few other tournaments before.
“I’m really happy. The kids all stayed positive, they had fun, they worked hard. And then they got rewarded for their hard work by winning the B-side championship.”
He added that it was a well-organized tournament and everybody really enjoyed participating and look forward to it in the future.
The games were played at Torquay and at Affinity Place and Power Dodge Ice Centre in Estevan.
Other teams entered were Estevan Power Dodge Bearcats, Moose Jaw Blue Jackets, Mossbank Blades, Estevan Murray GM Royals, Clavet Cougars, Regina Buffalos, Canora Cobras and Regina Hawks. The Bearcats were the only all-female team entered in the tournament.
