The Weyburn AM 1190 atom Blues captured the Estevan Atom Tournament A-side championship with a 7-3 win over the Estevan Warriors at the Civic Auditorium on Sunday.
Marty Brown, head coach of the Blues, said the team worked together for the win. He said Estevan is a tough opponent, but everyone on their team was passing well in the game and their never-let-up style of play paid off.
“Anytime you’re dealing with nine and 10-year-old kids, (on) any given Sunday any team can come out on top,” said Brown, noting this was the Blues first tournament win of the season.
Weyburn came out strong in the A-side final going up 3-0 in the first 20 minutes on two goals by Logan Smith and a single from Calder Brown. The Blues’ Matt Sexsmith, Brown and Wyatt Ebel beat Estevan goalie Jake Rubiletz in the second before the Warriors’ Chase Foord found the back of the net on a dangle and score past outstretched Weyburn netminder Adam Charlton. Estevan’s Stanislav Makarek and Weyburn’s Jackson LaRose each notched markers in the third.
“A few bounces one way, a few bounces the other way, pucks squirting in here and there, but I mean for the most part the boys all battled hard out there,” said Warriors head coach Chuck Lang. “Everybody moved the puck and played well, so we’re happy coming away the way we did.”
The Blues made it to the A-side final on victories over the Melville Mayhem, Estevan Lightning and Weyburn P&H Wings, while the Warriors advanced to the game through wins against the Caronport Cougars, Radville Nats 2 and Estevan Avengers.
“The boys played absolutely spectacular, really the best hockey we’ve played all year,” said Lang. “Everybody is playing their positions well, moving the puck (and) burying our rebounds.”
Brown said the Blues are 12-4 so far this season and the hope is their success will continue in their next two league games and upcoming playoffs. He said getting the tournament A-side win has pumped the kids up and will give them valuable momentum moving forward.
“We’re ready for the playoffs,” he said. “The boys gained some adrenalin here. Hopefully we can finish it off.”
