The KLP Construction Bantam A Tyees returned home for a pair of contests at Rod Brind’Amour Arena last weekend.
Saturday saw the Powell River Kings make the journey across the pond, in a crucial final tiering round match up. There’s an old saying, “there’s nothing like home cooking,” and this years’ Bantam squad seem to enjoy playing in front of their home fans. The energy and determination was bursting from those white jerseys. The hosts started very strong, sending a clear message to the Kings’ defence and goaltender that they were in for a long day.
The visitors opened the scoring on a power play midway through the first and enjoyed a 1-0 lead after one period, thanks to their goalie, who was, by all accounts ‘standing on his head.’
The onslaught continued in the second, as wave after wave of Tyees attacked the net, only to be turned aside. Jalen Price, however, was able to solve the visiting goaltender on the power play late in the second frame. The home squad scored four unanswered goals in the second half to give them the 5-1 win, with goals from River Fahey, Codey Savey and two more from Price to give him the hat trick. The final shot tally was 53-12 for the Tyees.
Sunday’s game saw the Peninsula Eagles come to town. The Eagles were riding a three game win streak and the Tyees were playing with a short bench as three skaters were out of the line up.
With another brisk start on home ice, the Tyees carried the play, but for the fourth game in a row, surrendered the first goal of the game. Undeterred, the Tyees continued to pressure the Peninsula team.
Price evened the score early in the second and Bryce Narhi’s blast from the point in the third brought the Tyees within one goal. Starting Tyee goalie Antoine Minfray gave his team a big boost early in the third, as he made a number of big glove saves to keep the game within reach. This seemed to spark the tiring Tyees as Price beat the Eagle goaltender to preserve the tie 4-4.