TEAM BC FALLS SHORT AGAINST TEAM ALBERTA

By Sean Orr

A three-assist effort from BC defenseman Morgan Rielly of West Vancouver was not enough as Team Alberta defeated Team BC 6-4 in the back half of a Thursday night double header in Blackfalds, AB.

Island players on the team are Nick Renyard of Victoria, who plays for the South Island Thunderbirds, and  Kade Pilton of Parksville and Evan Richardson of Nanaimo, both with the North Island Silvertips.

A large crowd was on hand for the inaugural Western Canada U16 Challenge presented by the WHL

Winners will be awarded theWestern Canada Challenge Cup.

Alberta held a 2-1 lead after the first period on Goals from player of the game Branden Troock  and Tyrell Goulbourne.

BC’s lone marker in the first period was on the power play off the stick of Morgan Zulinick  of Kamloops.

The second period saw both teams score twice to keep the game at a one-goal affair. Austin Plevy from Langley scored in 2:17 into the period to tie the game at two.

Alberta responded with back to back even strength goals from Mike Winther and Zane Jones  respectively.

Team BC scored a late period marker at 19:17 on the power play as Griffin Reinhart of West Vancouver potted his first of the tournament.

The third period saw team Alberta pull away with two goals from Brandon Magee and Jayden Hart  to give them a 6-3 lead.

Team BC player Turner Popoff of Richmond scored at 13:39 in the third but it wasn’t enough as Team Alberta won 6-4 in a very spirited, tight checking affair.

BC takes on Manitoba in their second game today while Alberta faces their Eastern neighbor Saskatchewan.