It was rivalry day in the Okanagan on March 11, when one of Canada香蕉视频直播檚 largest student-athlete sports tournaments continued in Penticton.
This year香蕉视频直播檚 edition of the prestigious Canadian Sport School Hockey League Championships (CSSHL) entered its sixth day on Saturday and featured a Male U17 matinee showdown between the Penticton-based Okanagan Hockey Academy (OHA) and Rink Hockey Academy Kelowna.
OHA香蕉视频直播檚 Charlie Grant scored twice Saturday, including the eventual game-winner, to lift his team to a 4-1 victory against the Kelowna-based squad at the Okanagan Hockey Training Centre (OHTC).
Grant was joined by Leonard Biafore and David Hoy in finding the back of the net for OHA.
Kelowna香蕉视频直播檚 U17 prep squad used a late third-period marker from Kelsen Podworny to spoil OHA香蕉视频直播檚 shutout bid.
香蕉视频直播淩ink Kelowna and OHA Penticton is always a rivalry game, doesn香蕉视频直播檛 matter what division it is,香蕉视频直播� said Kevin Goodwin, the chief operating officer of the CSSHL.
Saturday marked both teams香蕉视频直播� first game of the event.
OHA and Kelowna are two of the 86 total teams in attendance from across B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Idaho.
香蕉视频直播淚t doesn香蕉视频直播檛 where you go in town when the tournament is on, you香蕉视频直播檙e going to see teams around,香蕉视频直播� said Goodwin. 香蕉视频直播淢y favourite part of it is the energy it brings to the city香蕉视频直播eeing the busses go everywhere, the atmosphere, the energy, it香蕉视频直播檚 all great.香蕉视频直播�
The tournament香蕉视频直播檚 venues include the OHTC, South Okanagan Events Centre and Memorial Arena.
Divisions include U15, U15 Prep, U16 Prep, U17 Prep, U18 Prep, and U18 Female Prep, with teams from Kelowna, Delta and Burnaby among the defending champions in select conferences.
Since becoming chief operating officer of the CSSHL, Goodwin says the tournament has grown right before his eyes.
香蕉视频直播淚n 2016, we were at 40 total teams,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淣ow, we香蕉视频直播檙e up to 86 and next year, we香蕉视频直播檒l have 95香蕉视频直播e香蕉视频直播檒l be over 100 for sure soon.香蕉视频直播�
Goodwin also points to the tournament香蕉视频直播檚 impact on the local economy, dating back to when first came to Penticton seven years ago.
The City of Penticton and CSSHL Championships inked a five-year, $500,000 deal earlier this week to keep the tournament local.
The city will grant the event $100,000, per year, with an additional five-year extension clause after the 2029 edition of the tournament. Local officials say the event will bring an estimated $40 million to the city over the length of the contract.
香蕉视频直播淓veryone in Penticton loves this event,香蕉视频直播� Goodwin said. 香蕉视频直播淥ur coaches and governors love this event and that香蕉视频直播檚 why we香蕉视频直播檙e for another 10 years, you can香蕉视频直播檛 duplicate this anywhere else.香蕉视频直播�
Saturday香蕉视频直播檚 action on the ice also included a U15 matchup between OHA and Rink Kelowna at historic Memorial Arena, the old home of the Penticton Vees.
The tournament began on March 6 and wraps up March 19 and tickets can be purchased at
CSSHL alumni include Minnesota Wild defenceman Matt Dumba, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cole Sillinger and Stanley Cup-winning defenceman Bowen Byram from the Colorado Avalanche.
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com
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