The Wildcats traveled to Vancouver B.C to play in the Richmond Midget AAA Elite Holiday Tournament. 16 AAA teams from all over North America formed the 4 division brackets.
In the first game the cats took on the South Central Wolves for Alaska. 3 goals by Alden Hirschfeld, the career first by Tyler Cook and a goal from Cody Bourland provided the offense while Bobby McElheny played solid in the twine to pick up the win 5-3.
The next morning the cats would lose their first game of the tournament and the season to the Vancouver Renegades. Missed scoring opportunities especially early would be the cats demise as the battled back to tie the game before falling by 2 late goals and an empty netter. Craig Trego played better than the score would indicate as he faced numerous shots many quality chances.
That evening the Wildcats would face their greatest test of the season versus the Toronto Redwings. Northview would respond however with a very spirited effort that would extend to the lockeroom hallway between periods. 2 goals each by Hirschfeld and Tim Hurst would provide the offense while Bobby McElheny sparkled in nets for the thrilling 4-4 tie.
The following morning the cats would finish up pool play versus Fairbanks. Northview looked spent from the previous evening as they battle through 2 periods of play. Late in the 3rd with the scored tied at 4 Alden Hirschfeld would tip home a shot from Adam Thanasiu with 0.2 seconds left to lift the cats to an unbelievable 5-4 win. Craig Trego played very well in nets making several big saves as the cats tried to find their legs to earn the victory. Hirschfeld had 2 goals in the game as did Hurts while Bourland added a single marker. The win gave the Wildcats a 2-1-1 record after pool play earning them a 2nd place tie with the Renegades. Northview would lose the tiebreaker however because of the loss to Vancouver and move on to the Consolation bracket.
Friday Morning the Wildcats would open up consolation play versus The Alaskan Blue Devils. Hirschfeld would score early to give the cats a 1-0 lead before 2 goals by Alaska gave them the lead. Matt Cook and Hurst would sandwich a Blue Devil goal to tie it 3-3 after 2. Alaska would take the lead on a goal mid way through the third period. It was Matt Cook’s time to carry a tired and banged up wildcat team. He not only would score a beautiful goal with 2 minutes left in regulation, but he would also add the game winner in double overtime 3-on-3 play. McElheny again played well in net for the victory.
That afternoon after only 2 hours of rest the cats were asked to take on a very talented team from Okanagan B.C. The magic was gone and so were the legs as the cats gave all they had left before inevitably falling 7-0. Trego was the sacrificial lamb as the cats were out shot 55 to 9.
The tournament provided the cats a chance to see how good of a team they could be against some of the best competition in AAA travel hockey. Playing as spirited of hockey as any team in recent memory or even Northview history made all of the Northview family very proud. Congratulation players and coaches on providing us all with such a great hockey experience.
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