EDMONTON — After a valiant fight on both sides, neither the Toronto Bulldogs (3-1-2) nor the California 2001s (1-3-1) was able to topple the other at the Brick Invitational Novice Hockey Tournament at West Edmonton Mall Friday morning, resulting in a 2-2 tie.

But assistant coach of the Bulldogs, Vincent Laise, said he’s not disappointed with the result.

“I think we’re happy, obviously you have to be,” said Laise.  “It’s a tough tournament; there aren’t any weak teams here. It’s a positive any way you look at it.”

Each team was at the others’ throat for the whole first period. The Bulldogs’ forwards controlled the puck but couldn’t get past California’s defensive line or goalie, Ethan Lamohn.  Likewise, despite some bold shots from California, most notably after a daring breakaway by Dominique Petrie, neither side could light up the scoreboard.

The scoreboard would remain stagnant for the first half of the second period, as California and Toronto continued to trade off the puck. Yet the Bulldogs started showing signs of recklessness as Tyler Amaral was called for tripping two minutes in.

Ten minutes in the second, Jack Hughes finally netted a goal off a skillful pass from Anthony Aguanno. While Toronto’s confidence spiked, so did California’s determination. Their defensive line was able to stave off further assaults for the rest of the period.

Going into the third, whether by exhaustion or desperation, the Bulldogs plays became sloppier. Dylan Abbamont was called out less than a minute in for tripping, providing an opportunity for California’s Cameron York to score on the powerplay.

“We did a lot of small things, and I think our energy level was low due to the time of the game,” said Laise.

It would be déjà vu six minutes later, when Jack Hughes was called out for another tripping penalty—the team’s fourth of the game. The 2001s wasted no time capitalizing on the opportunity, with a powerplay goal by Jonathan Panisa seconds later.

Despite the sustained efforts on all sides, no one was able to break the tie before the last bell sounded.

2001s head coach Craig Johnson said after the game, that he is proud of his team’s attitude.

“Our team’s played hard the whole tournament. We just haven’t had the bounces go our way,” said Johnson. “Every game is competitive; every game has been great for these kids. You see the pace and the level of play, and our kids have really enjoyed it.”

RauschM5@mymail.macewan.ca

EDMONTON — The Boston Junior Bruins defeated the California 2001s at the Brick Novice Invitational Hockey Tournament at West Edmonton Mall on Thursday, triumphantly breaking a 3-3 tie in the third period to finish with a final score of 4-3.

After two hard-fought games resulting in ties, Bruins coach Chris Masters said it was a victory richly deserved.

“The last two games they played their hearts out and played great,” Masters said.  “I think for them to be rewarded for that effort is a huge confidence boost.”

The first period saw the 2001s on an aggressive streak, keeping the puck in their possession without letting the Bruins hold onto it for long. While the Bruins’ defense was sturdy, they were unable to prevent California’s Nicolas Kent from scoring an unassisted goal midway through the first period.

The Bruins ignited in the second with an early goal by Matt Boldy. They capitalized on the momentum by mounting a gutsier offensive, fighting harder for control of the puck.

But the determined 2001s kept pace with their opponents, and five and a half minutes in, Harrison Schreiber scored the second goal for California, assisted by Jonathan Panisa and Dominique Petrie.

The needle was fixed in the red zone for the rest of the second period as both teams continued to trade goals. Conor Lovett, son of Bruins head coach Bill Lovett, tied the game once again with an unassisted goal eight minutes in.

It was answered a minute later by none other than Harrison Schreiber, netting his second goal of the game on a powerplay.

Boston was hampered by two consecutive penalties later on: Jack Venturelli was called out for hooking at eight and a half minutes, and Peirce Kenney for cross-checking at eleven and a half. One body short for most of the remaining time, the Bruins were forced into a defensive posture until the end of the second period.

Down one goal, the Bruins burst onto the ice with renewed intensity in the third. Some keen passing allowed Conor Lovett to score again just after six minutes. Not a minute later, he scored his third goal of the game, unassisted, after a lightning breakaway.

While Boston’s morale soared, California’s seemed to falter. The 2001s were wounded by two hooking penalties in the middle of the period—by Quinn Emerson at around seven minutes and Ryan Johnson at eight minutes—and their teamwork visibly suffered. Boston continued to dominate until the final whistle blew.

Masters hopes his team’s morale will give them an edge as they progress in the tournament.

“I really expect us, as we move forward, to use that confidence to give us a jump in that next game.”

RauschM5@mymail.macewan.ca