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Rookies step up for Bantam AAA Tigers in draw with Lethbridge

Oct 7, 2018 | 2:53 PM

 

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Very little scoring for the SEAC Bantam AAA Tigers on Saturday, but they made their offensive chances count in a 1-1 tie against the Lethbridge Golden Hawks.

Rookie Dawson Seitz finished off a give-and-go play to perfection early in the third period for the Tigers, in what ended up as a crucial goal for the SEAC squad.

Lethbridge’s Emanual Hudson kicked off the scoring in the second period to give the Golden Hawks a 1-0 lead, a score that held until the 3:18 mark of the third period.

Seitz was able to pot his third goal in five games, sitting tied for second in team scoring behind Roman Cherniak and Dayden Collier.

He said it’s good company to be put in and is just happy to be providing an offensive impact in his first year of bantam.

“Felt great to tie up the game, help out the team, get us going a little bit,” said Seitz.

Despite plenty of pressure from both sides, the Tigers and Golden Hawks would finish regulation at a 1-1 score and settle for the tie.

SEAC starter Bodee Weiss stopped 25 of the 26 shots he saw, while his counterpart in Carter Capton also had a solid afternoon with 19 saves.

Just four true rookies dot this year’s Bantam AAA roster, as ‘05 freshmen Seitz, Shane Smith, Elias Eisenbarth, and Josh Van Mulligen all look to make their impact this year.

Seitz said it’s been an easier transition than most would think, especially since the rookie crop is moving from the pee wee ranks together.

“Played with the guys last year, so we’re buddies,” said Seitz. “The leadership group is amazing, they all got great personalities and are a lot of fun to be around.”

That leadership group comprises of newly minted captain Vann Yuhas, along with Tyler Broesky and Tyler Miller who serve as assistant captains.

Van Mulligen said the older players have been crucial for the adjustment to the bantam level and is excited to pass along that knowledge to next year’s rookie crop.

“We help out just [getting] younger,” said Van Mulligen. “The older guys are helping us too, and then next year we’re going to be the older guys and just dominate the league.”

Now holding a 2-2-1 record through five games, the Bantam AAA Tigers are tied with Lethbridge for first place in the Ram South Division with five points.

A big weekend at home lies ahead for the Bantam AAA squad, facing the Calgary Royals and Calgary Northstar Sabres on Saturday and Sunday.

Meanwhile, it was a big rebound for the SEAC Midget 15 Tigers on Saturday as they earned their second win of the season 3-2 over the CNHA Blazers in Calgary.

The Blazers got off to a 1-0 lead early in the first period thanks to a shorthanded goal from Connor Burke, but SEAC responded late in second period with a Braden Houle marker.

Calgary restored their one-goal lead just over a minute into the third period off a shot from Scott Berg, however it was Hayden Prosofsky who netted a huge goal for the Tigers with 6:02 remaining to tie the game at 2-2.

With just 1:30 left in regulation, SEAC’s Ethan Machan stepped up as hero with the game-winning goal to put the Tigers over the top 3-2.

Brendan Olson had 26 saves in the Tigers victory, while defenceman Carsyn Good assisted on SEAC’s first and third goals of the evening.

Improving to 2-1-0 on the year, SEAC has the rest of the weekend off and will tangle with the NWCAA Stampeders from Calgary on Saturday at 5:00 pm at the Hockey Hounds Rec Centre.