The Panago Peewee A Tyees have advanced to the semi-finals of the Vancouver Island Tier 2 Playoffs after a pair of convincing wins over the weekend.
Tyee Sage Lim scored six times as Campbell River annihilated the Port Alberni Bulldogs 18-1 at Rod Brind’Amour Arena Saturday. Darian Swift, Andy Stevens, and Tyler Dickson each tallied twice. Singles went to Maddison Devlin, Dustin Kew, Brett Stapley, Josh Coblenz, Olivia Knowles and Cory Bukauskas.
On Sunday the Tyees travelled to Powell River and crushed the Kings 9-1. Coblenz led the way with two goals and an assist. Devlin, Stapley, Bukauskas, Swift, Dickson, Andy Stevens and Lim also scored.
Despite a victory over Oceanside in the playoff opener a week ago the Tyee coaches expressed concerns over the team’s sloppy, lackadaisical play. According to assistant coach Vince Devlin, the players got the message and responded in a big way.
“The kids came up with a huge effort this weekend,” said Devlin. “We played really well as a team and worked a lot harder than we did against Oceanside. Overall, the momentum is starting to really swing in our favour now and it’s based on effort, work ethic and the players believing in all the things we’ve been trying to teach them over the year.”
Along with better team play, Devlin pointed out several individuals who have stepped up their game since the post-season began.
“First and foremost our captain Sage Lim is leading the team the way we knew he could. Olivia Knowles on defence is playing extremely well. She’s making confident, smart decisions. Tyler Dickson and Cory Bukauskas have really been very noticeable lately and Dustin Kew has been playing a strong physical game.”
The playoffs resume in two weeks with sudden death semi-final action.
In the meantime the Tyees are off to the 40th annual Coca-Cola Classic International Peewee Tournament in Vernon.
They play their first game Thursday afternoon against the Simons Valley Rebels of Alberta.
The four-day event also includes teams from the Lower Mainland, Washington State and Alaska.