MIDGET “A” BULLDOGS ISLAND LEAGUE CHAMPS
#1 Gianni Crema, #2 Ryan Buse, #3 Tyler Ibsen, #7 Cory Beecroft, #9 Tyler Wilhelm, #10 Brad Cowan, #11 Logan Savard, #12 Brett Williscroft, #13 Sam Visona, #14 Greg Tuckerman, #15 Beau Wilson, #16 Cam MacAdams, #18 Nathan Read, #19 Brandon Antonichuk, #21 Colby Lim, #22 Chase Gaudreault #23 Spencer Pierce, and #35 Bryce Dirocco. Head Coach Brent Demerais, Coaches Rob Gaudreault and Jeff Carey, supported by Team Manager Brenda Read, Safety Person Bruno Visona, and dryland coaches Dave and Jill Sherwood.
DIVISION 1 CHAMPIONS! MIDGET BULLDOGS COLLECT BANNER
It’s official. Alberni Valley’s Van Isle Ford Midget Rep Bulldogs are the number one team in Division 1 of the Vancouver Island Hockey League. Al McCulloch presented the Championship Banner to the team on behalf of the VIAHA Executive immediately after the last league game on Sunday January 22. Even down a few players, the Bulldogs were able to outgun Nanaimo Clippers T1 by 5-3 to conclude the regular season with a record of 10 wins, 1 loss and 1 tie. They pulled ahead of Nanaimo in the first period. The first goal was pounded in from the high slot by Cameron MacAdams at 11:46 on a two man advantage. Logan Savard assisted. Seconds later, still on power play, Cory Beecroft put a shot on goal as Spencer Pierce set up the screen. Brandon Antonichuk swooped on the rebound and snapped it inside the left post to make it 2-0. With thirty seconds to go Sam Visona raced the Nanaimo defence down the left boards, then put a nice pass on the tape for Greg Tuckerman to finish into open net on the other side.
Six of eight goals in this game came on power plays. The only goal in the second period went to Nanaimo with a man advantage. Ryan Buse restored the three goal lead for Alberni Valley on a power play early in the third. Antonichuk and Visona collected the assists. After that Nanaimo capitalized on two more power play opportunities to narrow the gap to a single goal. Greg Tuckerman’s long empty netter sealed the victory for Alberni Valley with only seven seconds left.
Al McCulloch, President of Alberni Valley MHA, presents the Division 1 Championship Banner to Midget T2 Bulldog team captain Brandon Antonichuk on behalf of the VIAHA Executive.
The Van Isle Ford Midget Bulldogs were not the only Alberni Valley team to be declared Champions on Sunday. The quality of Alberni Valley Minor Hockey was also shown by the Peewee Bulldogs who were presented with their Banner for the VIHL Peewee Division 2 Championship. Congratulations to all the players, coaches and others who have worked all season to make this possible. Now it’s on to the play-offs. The Midget Bulldogs will have home ice for their first play-off game against Oceanside at 5 PM on Sunday February 5.
Submitted by Simon Read
