This past weekend the U15 AA East Kootenay Avalanche hockey team, comprised of players from Cranbrook, Kimberley, Fernie, Elkford, Invermere and Creston, took part in the BC Zone League Tier 1 Playoffs hosted in Kamloops.

They faced the top three teams in the league to start their round robin and punched their ticket to the semi-finals with an amazing team effort, no quit attitude and all around hard work.

In the semis they faced the number one seeded Central Zone Rockets and came away with a hard-fought victory.

In the finals, down three players due to injury and suspension, the Avalanche played their archrivals in what was an al-Kootenay final. The Avalanche and West Kootenay Crusaders showed nothing but class as both teams were exhausted and giving their all tied 2-2 going into the third period.

The West Kootenay Crusaders would come out with the championship with a 4-2 victory but the East Kootenay Avalanche left it all on the ice placing second.

An amazing show of determination to finish the season and carry forward into provincials taking place March 19-22 in Fort St John.

The U15 AA East Kootenay Avalanche hockey team roster. Forwards/number: 2 Aiden Stefano, 24 Isaiah Willoughby, 15 Alex Johnson, 5 Beckham Taggart, 17 Bryce Birmingham, 19 Calen Nelson, 16 Cole Tennant, 21 Drayden Miller, 6 Lucan Kostiuk, 23 Austin Marasco. Defence: 4 Parker Thom, 22 Alexander Sharam, 14 Lane Oler, 9 Dexter Spring, 12 Lane Warriner, 13 Rylie Parker.
Goalies: 1 Cohen Lawrick and 35 Seth Coward. Head Coach Pete Stefano; Assistant Coaches Kaleb Birmingham, Pat Spring and Ryan Bennett. Trainer Chris Andrews.

Above images: The two Kootenay teams joined in a true show of class and sportsmanship after battling against each other all season long, after the championship game. Photo submitted

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