Swan River Novice Colts win Flin Flon Hockey Tournament

Submitted by:
Blaine Campbell |

On the weekend of December 2-4, 2016, the Swan River Novice Colts travelled to Flin Flon to compete in the Mel Pearson Invitational Novice Hockey Tournament.


Pictured above:
Front Row (L-R): Ashton Cochrane, Sam Lacasse
Middle Row (L-R): Lily Nemetchek, Logan Gray, Nicholas Puchailo, Alex Campbell, Trace Langan
Back Row (L-R): Coaches Blaine Campbell, Derek Werbicki, Andy Puchailo

After 4 consecutive victories, the Colts emerged as A-Side Champions of the tournament.

Game 1 on Friday saw the Colts take on the Norway House Northstars. There were no “bus legs” for this short-staffed crew of 8 skaters in this first game as the Colts came away from the first period with an 8-1 lead. The Colts were led by a hat trick in the 1 st period by Trace Langan with additional goals by Alex Campbell (2), Dayson Martin (2), and Ashton Cochrane. The second and final period saw more of the same as the Colts continued their dominance with further goals by Cochrane (2), Sam Lacasse (2), Martin, and Campbell. Dade Werbicki played goal and allowed one goal in each period but stood tall on many occasions. Final score 14-2 Colts.

After a night spent swimming and playing mini-sticks, the Colts played two more games on Saturday. Both games were a complete team effort as each game saw every one of the Colts skaters score at least one goal each. Strong back checking, smart passing, and good positional play helped lead the Colts to 2 victories on the day.

Game 2 saw the Colts faceoff against the Flin Flon Firemen who are coached by one-time goaltending standout of the Swan Valley Stampeders minor hockey system, Dennis Hanson. The under-manned Colts once again took no prisoners as they bombarded the Flin Flon goaltender with shot after shot. In the first period, the Colts scorers were led by Campbell (2) and Cochrane (2) with singles from Lacasse, Logan Gray, Martin, and our Italian import, Nicholas Puchailo. In the 2nd period, the Colts continued to pour it on as both Campbell and Logan Gray finished off their hat tricks. Additional goals were scored by Lacasse, Dade Werbicki, and Lily Nemetchek. In net, the “wonderer” Trace Langan only had to turn away a few shots but had his shout out bid spoiled late in the 2 nd period. Final score 14-1 Colts.

Game 3 saw the Colts battle a long-time northern rival, The Pas Huskies. Star of the game was Lily Nemetchek as she recorded her first-ever shut out for the Colts. Goal scoring was once again a total team effort as each and every skater managed to bulge the twine at least once. After the first period, the Colts led the game by a score of 5-0 on goals by Gray, Langan, Lacasse, Puchailo, and Campbell. The Colts showed no mercy in the second period as they scored 8 more goals to end with a 13-0 victory. Goal scorers in the second period were Martin (2), Campbell (2), Lacasse (2), Cochrane, and Werbicki.

Three consecutive victories placed the Swan River Colts in the A-final, where they would have to battle the Thompson Canadiens. The northern opponent played the Colts tight and rough in the first period, and the opposition goalie kept the Canadiens in the game initially. Half way through the first period, Alex Campbell finally opened the scoring for a 1-0 Colts lead. Two more goals by Campbell in the first period gave him a natural hat trick and a 3-0 Colts lead. A nifty goal by Sam Lacasse late in the first period propelled the Colts to a 4-0 lead after one period. The Canadiens came out firing in the second period and got a quick goal on Ashton Cochrane. For the next few minutes, Cochrane made some key saves to maintain the Colts 4-1 lead. The Colts regained control of the game when Lacasse got his second goal of the game for a 5-1 lead. Additional goals by Logan Gray, Lily Nemetchek, Trace Langan, and Dade Werbicki boosted the Colts to a 9-1 victory and the title of A-Side Champion.

All weekend long, the Colts team represented the Swan River Valley in a very impressive manner. They played some very good hockey over the weekend and managed to have a lot of fun. Next tournament is early January when they travel to The Pas to attempt to make it three consecutive tournament victories!!