The bantam A Kerry Park Islanders' first win of the season over their league rivals from Powell River wasn't just another win. It gave the Isles the gold medal in the Port Alberni New Years Classic Tournament.
"Powell River is a team in our league and until now, we have not managed to beat them," team manager Sabine Bell said. "To beat a very strong team like Powell River in the gold game was very exciting for our boys. Both teams played a fabulous game of hockey."
The Islanders had lost to the same Powell River team earlier in the tournament.
Kerry Park prevailed 4-2 in the tournament final, in which the teams combined for just six minutes in penalties. Samson McLean scored the opening goal and added an empty-netter, while Jason MacKay also found the back of the net, and Isaac Tonkin-Palmer's marker stood up as the game winner. Tyson Duffe was outstanding in
net for the Islanders.
The Isles opened the tourney with a 4-3 win over Nanaimo's Tier 2 squad. Tonkin-Palmer scored twice, including the gamewinner, while McLean and Dawson Webb also found the net, and Brendon McDill earned the victory in net.
Kerry Park's second round-robin game was a 6-3 loss to Powell River - the team's only defeat of the tournament. McLean, Tonkin-Palmer and Mason Shadlock scored, while Duffe took the loss in goal.
Bouncing back in their final round-robin game, the Isles downed Oceanside 5-2. McLean scored four times, including the first two and last two goals, and MacKay picked up the game winner. McDill was back in goal for the win.
In the tournament semifinal, the Isles faced their regional rivals from Cowichan Valley, prevailing 5-2. Tonkin-Palmer and Jake Metcalfe each scored twice, MacKay scored once, and Tyson Duffe earned the win in net.