The 2019 Alberta Provincial Ball Hockey Tournament kicked off last night in Calgary for all but two teams. While Edm Team Pending (Men's T2) and the Edm Stilettos were forced to wait an extra day, the rest of the tourney got game one (and in one instance...game two) in the books.
In Men's T1, the CGY Pitbulls stunned the two-time defending T1 gold-medal Top Whale...spanking them by a score of 5-1. While the defending National Champion EDM Savages looked solid in doubling up the CGY Generals 4-2. The final game saw the EDM Nighthawks and CGY Phantoms play to a 2-2 draw.
Men's T2 also featured three games. The EDM Walruses opened their first ever provincial tourney with a convincing 4-1 victory over the CGY Stars. EDM Bar South won by the same score over the GP Cobras, while the CGY Show Ponies slipped past the EDM Cobras 3-2.
In T3 action, Pool A saw the EDM Blackouts doubled up the CGY Spartans 4-2, while the EDM Killer Bees held off the FM Vullets by a score of 4-3. Over in Pool B, the EDM Reapers scored twice in the first half, then held on to defeat the EDM Soldiers 2-1. The other game wasn't so close, as the CGY Blazers mercied the CGY Unsung Heroes 7-0 with still over 9 minutes left in regulation. The shots were 33-9 when the game ended. The Blazers have continued their winning ways this morning, knocking off the EDM Soldiers by a 7-2 score.. Finally, in Pool C, the CGY Rude Boys knocked off the CGY Vipers 6-3, while the MH Rebels crushed the EDM Rush by a 6-1 score. In early action today, the CGY Rude Boys moved to 2-0 with a 5-4 win over the MH Rebels.
Pool A in T4 had the EDM Knowlton Gnashers (5-2) and CGY Evolution 2 (4-0) come out on top over the EDM 7C's and CGY Schwifty Business respectively. Pool B winners were the CGY Energy (8-1 over the CGY Marauders) and the EDM Silver Kings (3-0 over the EDM Wolfpack). The CGY Rink Rats (4-1 over CGY Royals) and EDM Team Ferda (9-2 vs EDM Canadians) now pace the Pool C standings.
In women's action, the CGY United drew the short straw...having to play twice on opening night. They came away with 3 of a possible 4 points to put themselves in great position heading into today's action. The United used the opening 2-2 draw vs the EDM Ducks as a warm up to their 6-0 drubbing of the EDM Red Light.
In the B division, the EDM Cherry Pickers need less than 35 minutes to end their 7-0 victory over the EDM Bad News Beers. While the CGY Tune Squad needed 39:53 seconds to get past the CGY Vipers. Jennifer De Silva's goal with just 7 seconds left in regulation gave the Tune Squad a 1-0 victory.
Finally, in the C Division, both the Edm Asylum and Edm Storm posted shutouts in their victories. The Asylum won 5-0 over the CGY Dumpling Chase, while the Storm were 4-0 victors over the CGY Elite Pumas.
Action is already well underway today, as the round robins will wrap up for all divisions. Quarter-finals for Men's T2 and Women's T3 will also take place later tonight.
Be sure to check out the TOURNAMENT PHOTOS section (located in the top menu bar. Special thanks to Shonna McDonald for her work as the tournament photographer this weekend.
