March 11, 2013

North Vancouver Storm Midget A1 – Are the Stars Aligning?

From day one they knew they’d be in the Provincials, so maybe that explains a few things.

The North Vancouver Storm had an an exceptional year in Midget A1 last year, finishing first in the Lower Mainland with an 11-4-3 record, and 40 points. But their dreams of a trip to the Final 4, and Provincials, were dashed by Seafair in the four point quarter final round.

This year has been very different. The Storm posted a disappointing regular season record of  5-10-3, with 31 points, and finished in seventh spot, nine points behind #1 NSWC and #2 Coquitlam who were tied with 40 points.

But in a reversal of last year’s playoff fortunes, the Storm made it through the early playoff rounds to the Final 4, tying Hollyburn Huskies 2-2 in game one, then losing 5-4 to Semiahmoo in game 2.

The win clinched first place for the Ravens, who came in as the #10 seed, and made the final Storm-Coquitlam game irrelevant, so it wasn’t played.

Hollyburn had tied their first two games, then downed #2 ranked Coquitlam 4-3 to squeak into second place with 4 points.

However, as host of the Provincial Championships, the Storm have a guaranteed berth in the big show, and will have one more opportunity to win it all.

The tie with Hollyburn, the one goal loss to Semiahmoo and getting to the Final 4 with a series win over Chilliwack, are all big confidence boosters.

As is home ice advantage at Harry Jerome (123 East 23rd North Vancouver).

The three Lower Mainland teams will be facing off against Juan de Fuca Grizzlies, Kelowna Rockets, and Prince George Cougars for the Provincial title.

Opening ceremonies start at 8:00 pm Sunday, March 16. Final game is Wednesday March 19.

Teams & Rosters:

North Vancouver Storm

 

Host: North Vancouver Storm Roster

35	C Gharakhanian	Goalie
1	J Peakman	Goalie
27	L Bill	Forward
6	C Chen	Defense
7	B Chipman	Defense
2	S Killeen	Defense
20	A McWilliams	Defense
19	B Murray	Forward
18	S Norbury	Forward
17	W Northey	Forward
8	B Oldland	Forward
28	A Pistilli	Forward
10	L Smith	Forward
26	C Stromotich	Defense
16	H Tadey	Forward
15	J Village	Forward
5	G Voiles	Defense
4	B Rysstad	Defense
14	D Nussipakynov	Defense
21	T Lesage	Forward
29	G Brink	Goalie

Storm Bench Staff:

D McLellan	Head Coach
D Cioffi	Asst Coach
R Noorani	Asst Coach
D McDonald	Asst Coach
N Molnar	Asst Coach
B Eddy	HCSP
C Chipman	Manager

 

Hollyburn Huskies, Lower Mainland Team 2

 

Huskies Roster:

6	J Akelaitis	Defense
5	R Bell	Forward
7	Z Bleuler “C”	Defense
12	M Cameron “A”	Forward
27	G Chrystal	Forward
9	H Cleghorn “A”	Forward
35	C Clokie	Goalie
4	J Corbett	Defense
3	M Fletcher	Forward
11	S Glass	Forward
10	J Latta	Forward
33	B Maquignaz	Goalie
21	A Philps	Forward
79	C Stephenson	Defense
16	L Stout	Forward
17	M Thompson	Forward
77	B Wong	Forward
8	R Wong	Defense