With the conclusion of the 2006-2007 season, only one matter is yet to be determined. This year's All-Star Game will pit the unbeaten Avalanche tangling with the "Best of the Rest" in a "winner take nothing but bragging rights home" game. Game time is 1:30 on Sunday, March 11 at The Landing Sports Centre (Ag-Rec). Players named to the All-Star team were as follows: Larry Martin and Sonny Rozsa in goal, Neil Stad, Bob Hick, Gary Thompson and Luke Pelz on defence, Brian Schuurman, Mike Cryderman, Travis Kostering, Joe George, Paul Leidekker and Joe Patterson on the forward lines. Also named to the All-Star teams from the Avalanche were Chriss Batson, Tim Riddolls, Wade Good, Rick Marks and Rich Thorkilsen.
The 2006-07 Chilliwack Ball Hockey Awards were handed out on Friday, March 10. In addition to the All-Stars named above, the following players were recognized for their play and contributions to the league for the past season. LEAGUE MVP: LARRY MARTIN (MAJOR LEAGUES) DARRYL KOSTERING MEMORIAL (ROOKIE OF THE YEAR): PAUL LEIDEKKER (DENNY'S TARPS) DON NICHOLS MEMORIAL: LEE McGREGOR (TASEKO) MOST SPORTSMANLIKE TEAM: AVALANCHE TOP GOALTENDER: CHRISS BATSON (AVALANCHE) LEAGUE SCORING CHAMP: RICK MARKS (AVALANCHE) GOAL SCORING CHAMP: RICK MARKS (AVALANCHE) REGULAR SEASON CHAMPIONS: AVALANCHE (21-0) A DIVISION PLAYOFF CHAMPIONS: AVALANCHE B DIVISION PLAYOFF CHAMPIONS: DENNY'S TARPS A DIVISION PLAYOFF MVP: CHRISS BATSON (AVALANCHE) B DIVISION PLAYOFF MVP: DENNY ARVANITAKIS (DENNY'S TARPS)
Denny's Tarps scored 5 third period goals to propel them to a 6-2 win over Blue Monkeys to claim the 'B' Division Championship on Saturday evening. Trailing 2-1 after 40 minutes, Vic Upshaw, with his second of the game, tied things up 4 minutes into the third before Bob Hick's blast from the point eluded Phil Smith for the winning goal mid-way through the period. Sean Austin tipped a Chris MacAulay shot for the insurance marker while Rob MacAulay and Jason Galtress rounded out the scoring late to make the final score margin much wider than the actual game itself. Brian Schuurman was the only Blue Monkey to solve Denny Arvanitakis as he tallied both goals, but it was not enough as Denny's Tarps takes home 'The Elite Cup.'
One series has ended and one will go the distance after Game 2 was played on Thursday night.
In the 'A' Division, Avalanche completed a perfect season with a hard fought 4-2 win over Major Leagues and a 2 game sweep. Rich Thorkilsen had 2 goals on the night while single tallies went to Wade Good and DJ McKay. Chriss Batson was solid between the pipes and robbed Major Leagues on several occasions. Curtis Genest scored both goals for Major Leagues but it was not enough to prevent Avalanche from claiming their second straight League Championship.
The 'B' Division Finals between Blue Monkeys and Denny's Tarps will go to a 3rd and deciding game as Denny's Tarps prevailed over Blue Monkeys 6-4. Jason Martin scored twice and Rob MacAulay, Dean Buckles, Ken Enns and Paul Leidekker rounded out the scoring. Denny Arvanitakis made 39 saves for the victory. Blue Monkeys got 2 goals from Jim Kraemar with Brian Schuurman and Shane Woodruff also scoring. Game 3 in this series will be played on Saturday, March 3rd at 8:30 pm.
The 2007 Chilliwack Ball Hockey League Finals began tonight with both the 'A' Divison and the 'B' Division series' opening with game 1 of the best-of-three Championships.
In the 'A' Division, Ceejay Neufeld tallied twice and Chriss Batson made 32 saves as Avalanche took a 1-0 series lead after disposing of Major Leagues 6-1. Chris Teichrob, Wade Good, Tim Riddolls and Jerry Hildebrand rounded out the scoring for Avalanche while Quinn Marshall scored the lone marker for Major Leagues
The 'B' Division Finals between Blue Monkeys and Denny's Tarps saw the lead change hands four times and went two minutes into overtime before Brian Schuurman put away a nice centering feed from Jason Boyd into the top corner behind Denny Arvanitakis and Blue Monkeys now are one win away from claiming the title. Boyd also scored twice while Dave Young and Jim Kraemar potted singles for the Monkeys in the victory. Nam Aujla filled in for an ailing Phil Smith in between the pipes and made 27 saves for the win. Denny's Tarps got goals from Shane Simpson, Rob MacAulay, Paul Leidekker and Dean Buckles in a losing effort.
Game 2 in both series will be played on Thursday evening beginning at 7:00.
The Finals are set, but not before two exciting games on Thursday evening. The 'A' Division Final will see the top 2 teams during the regular season do battle, but it was only after an extremely intense Game 3 with Twisters that Major Leagues advance to the final. After falling behind 4-0 after the first period, Twisters cut the lead in half after 2 periods before Major Leagues scored early in the third to take a 5-2 lead. Twisters refused to go away, and 2 quick goals midway through the period set the stage for the amazing final minute. Trailing 5-4, Joe George scored with 27 seconds left and the game appeared to be heading to its second straight overtime. However, off the draw, Curtis Genest began a rush that ended with Miguel Frias tapping home a rebound off the post and the winning goal sealed the deal for Major Leagues. Seconds later, Frias scored his fifth goal of the game and the game ended 7-5 for Major Leagues who now face Avalanche on Saturday evening at 7:30. The 'B' Division title will see Denny's Tarps face off against Blue Monkeys after their hard fought 6-3 victory over Taseko. The game see-sawed with Taseko building an early 2-0 lead only to have Blue Monkeys tie it up, then the game was tied at 3 late in the third before Brian Schuurman scored the winning goal with under 3 minutes to play to send Blue Monkeys to the Finals. Game 1 goes Saturday night at 6:15.
Game 2 in all 4 series went on Sunday and 2 teams have moved on to the Finals while 2 teams move on to the golf course.
In the 'B' division, Denny's Tarps got a hat trick from Matt Brown and downed a determined Carnage team 5-2 to advance to the Finals. Blue Monkeys withstood a furious flurry by Taseko in the dying minutes and escaped with a 5-3 victory to force a third and deciding game on Thursday night.
In the 'A' division, Avalanche continued their amazing season, but not before they survived a scare in eliminating Oilers 3-2 and now await their foe in the Finals. Major Leagues scored late in the third to force overtime and Luke Pelz potted the winner 18 minutes into the extra frame to send the series to a third and deciding game on Thursday evening.
Game times for these two games will be announced on Monday.
Playoffs began last night with all 8 teams in action.
In the 'B' division semi-finals, Denny's Tarps dominated from start to finish and mercied Carnage by an 11-1 score, while a close game between Taseko and Blue Monkeys turned in Taseko's favour after penalty problems for Monkeys put Taseko on 2 seperate 7 minute power plays, and Taseko won going away 5-2.
In the 'A' division semi-finals, Twisters rode the outstanding goaltending of Chris George, whose spectacular toe save midway through the third period led to the winning goal in a 3-1 victory over Major Leagues. Avalanche continued their perfect season with an easy 10-0 shellacking of Oilers.
Game 2 in all 4 series goes today starting at 3:30.