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Novice tournament brings the skill and smiles in Medicine Hat

Mar 6, 2018 | 4:17 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – They may be some of the youngest hockey teams around, but it’s hard to match the energy and enthusiasm of those competing in the novice division.

Some of the best novice teams from Alberta and Saskatchewan converging on Medicine Hat over the weekend, wrapping up three days of action at the Medicine Hat Novice Tournament.

It was an all-Saskatchewan meeting in the Linden Division ‘A’ final between the Swift Current Novice Broncos and the Moose Jaw Novice Warriors.

The first two periods were dominated by the Broncos, taking a 6-0 lead into the third intermission over the Warriors.

Moose Jaw provided some late pressure and a flurry of goals in the third period, but the Broncos was able to hold on for a 7-3 win to take a gold medal home to Swift Current.

Centre Jordy Beaudoin said putting the gold medal around his neck was one of the highlights of the 2017-18 season.

“It felt awesome,” said Beaudoin. “It’s great being champs and stuff, and it feels good.”

It was a picture perfect tournament for the U-9 team from Swift Current, sweeping all four of their games over the weekend by a combined score of 46-12.

Broncos head coach and Stanley Cup champion Travis Moen said years removed from his minor hockey career, he still remembers the tournament victories.

“It’s stuff like this you’ll never forget,” said Moen. “They’re young kids, and I still remember being 8 or 9 years old and memories of winning tournaments and stuff. So, it’s something they’ll never forget, and [I’m] definitely proud to be a coach and watch these guys win it.”

Six novice teams from Medicine Hat took part in the tournament as well, with one squad battling for an ‘A’ final victory.

The Medicine Hat Jets came up just short however, dropping their McDonald Division ‘A’ final 6-1 to the Southern Stingers.

A ‘B’ final win for the Medicine Hat Devils in the McDonald Division meanwhile, stomping the Okotoks Riggers on Sunday.

It was a 6-3 win for the Medicine Hat Blackhawks in the McDonald ‘C’ final, doubling up the East End Jets to polish their tournament off with a win.

In the Linden Division ‘B’ final, it was a battle of two Medicine Hat clubs with the Bruins outlasting the Flyers by an 8-6 score.

And in the Linden ‘C’ final, the Medicine Hat Northstars found the back of the net a dozen times in a 12-4 win over the Okotoks Derricks.