For the 32nd straight year, Estevan was invaded by hundreds of recreation hockey players in early April.
The Estevan Strippers oldtimers club put on their annual Spring Bust tournament, with 36 teams for the second straight year.
The tournament took over Affinity Place, the Civic Auditorium and the Icon Centre, as well as the neighbouring Power Dodge Curling Centre, where players went for post-game refreshments and a pair of cabarets on Friday and Saturday.
Tournament organizer Rick Rohatyn said the cabarets, which featured bands Crossroads and Third Degree Birnz, were well attended and there were no major injuries or other incidents during the five-day tournament.
The oldest player award, which goes to a player who had not previously won the honour, went to Gary Deters of the Indian Head Saints, who will turn 69 on Saturday.
The Tap House Sportsmanship Trophy, which goes to a team that played three games and had the fewest penalty minutes, was given to the Weyburn Ambassadors with two minutes.
The James Schroeder Memorial Sportsmanship Trophy, which goes to a team with four games played, was awarded to the Carlyle PureChem Hawks, who also had two penalty minutes.
Through the proceeds from past tournaments, the Strippers have given more than $110,000 in donations to various charities, fundraisers and sport groups over the last 15 years. This year, they have already donated $4,000, with many more dollars to be given away.
For the second straight year, there was a six-team women's division, which was won by the Estevan Wildcats in a 5-0 victory over the Oxbow Hot Dawgs in the Century 21 Terry Germain Division gold medal game. Meigan Wilhelm scored twice for the Wildcats, with Crystal Ross, Jenna Lesy and Ashley Miller adding singles.
The Norquay Nighthawks defeated the Bienfait Bulldogs 4-0 in the bronze medal game and the Swan Valley Extreme beat the OHL Hooters 5-2 in the fifth-place game.
Among the many players taking part in the tournament was former NHLer Garth Murray, who completed a hat trick in overtime to give the Lumsden Rockers a 7-6 win over the Estevan Eclipse in the gold medal game of the Preston Meyer Memorial Division.
Dwayne Moroz, Jason Zaremba, Len Pura and Jimmy Clore also scored for the Rockers. Wade Young scored four goals for the Eclipse, with Stan Gessner and Chris Terrett adding singles.
The Oxbow Coyotes defeated the Regina Badger Blackouts 7-4 in the bronze medal game.
Elsewhere in the 30-plus part of the tournament, the Estevan Tap House Rookies edged the Souris Valley Sioux 5-4 in the gold medal game of the Sherritt Coal Division. Craig Kickley (2), Dustin Ng (2) and Andrew Tait scored for the Rookies, while Tom Copeland, Marv Blue, Trevor Goetz and Lyle Odgers replied for the Sioux.
In the bronze medal game, it was the Estevan Flyers pounding the Alameda Red Army 12-2.
In the Rod/Einar Fagerheim Memorial Division gold medal game, the Estevan 89ers defeated the Avonlea Antiques 9-6. Darren McLean, Todd Holt and Shane Johnson each scored a pair for the 89ers, with Carlos Bye, Lyle Ehrmantraut and Jason Penstock adding singles (for more on the 89ers, see page B2). Stephen Moon led the Antiques with all six goals.
The Estevan Choice Electrical Sharks edged the Regina Nordics 3-2 in the bronze medal game.
The Carnduff Chiefs hammered the Carlyle PureChem Hawks 9-3 in the gold medal game of the Days Inn Division. Shane Sterling (3), Darren Hubbard (2), Jeff Schaeffer (2), Allan Walker and Dennis Day potted goals for the Chiefs, with Chad Himmelspach, John Fleury and Aaron Baukus replying for Carlyle.
The Estevan Cougars knocked off the Regina Piranhas 8-5 in the bronze medal game.
In the Tap House Division gold medal game, it was the Weyburn Thrashers defeating the Estevan Tower Wolves 9-5. Derrick Walbaum led the Thrashers with four goals, while Christian Cote (2), Brent Sheasby, Brad Scharnatta and Boyd Forseth also scored. Aaron Ludwig (3), Eric Hilstrom and Brian Salaway had the goals for the Tower Wolves.
In the bronze medal game, the Estevan Vikings eked out a 5-4 overtime win over the Woodley Whites.
In the 45-plus category, the Regina Slow Shots took gold in the Ray Frehlick Division with a 6-1 victory over the Weyburn Ambassadors. Bob Augie and Lance Kirkpatrick scored twice for the Slow Shots, with Bob Faris and Doug Zurowski also scoring. Stu McLeod had the lone goal for the Ambassadors.
The Estevan Viking 45s dumped the Estevan Capitals 11-4 in the bronze medal game. Larry Doan led the Vikings with a hat trick, while Jim Larter, Rick Senchuk and Darryl Meyer each scored twice and Neil Unger and Keith Hamilton added singles. Jim Andruschak (2), Aaron Klyne and Gale Blischak replied for the Capitals.
In the fifth-place game, the Woodley Whites defeated the Yorkton Old Relics 9-4.
In the gold medal game of the Bill Dutton Division, it was the Carson Wings doubling up the Brandon North 40 by a score of 8-4. Kevin Pastachak dominated for the Wings, scoring six goals, while Wayne Thul also scored. Gary Hiebert (2), Steve Romanik and Scott Connors replied for Brandon.
In the bronze medal game, the Indian Head Saints edged the Estevan Tower Wolves 45s 6-5. Doug Brydon scored twice for the Saints, with Don Reynard, Sean Meehan, Joe Moser and Marcel Magotiaux adding singles. Marc Richards, Murray Cowen, Pete Sereggela, Rob Peloquin and Grant Latimer countered for the Wolves.
Next year's tournament will be held April 8-12.
