by Rick Kupchuk
The Valley West Hawks saw their 13-game win streak come to an end, but in taking three of a possible four points from the Greater Vancouver Chiefs last weekend, extended their lead atop the B.C. Hockey Major Midget League (MML) standings.
The Hawks, in Chase for the MML’s all-star weekend, played the Chiefs to a 4-4 tie Saturday night, then won a close 4-3 contest Sunday afternoon. They moved three points clear of the Vancouver Giants, who split their two-game set with the Fraser Valley Bruins, also in Chase.
Kyle Becker’s second goal of the game with less than two minutes to play earned the Hawks a tie on Saturday. Kevan Kilistoff of Langley and Surrey’s Trevor Cox also scored for Valley West.
The Hawks seemed headed for a second consecutive tie until James Neil of Surrey netted the winner Sunday with just 37 seconds left. Kilistoff, Trent Lofthouse of Surrey and Justin Rai also scored for the Valley West team.
The Hawks – comprised of players from the Semiahmoo, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley minor hockey associations – are now 20-4-6 (won-loss-tied), and will host the Giants for two games next weekend. The two teams face-off tomorrow (Saturday) at 8 p.m. at the South Surrey Arena, with the rematch Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at the George Preston Recreation Centre.
- Trevor Cox was named the third star of the MML all-star game Friday night, after he netted two goals for Team White, 6-5 winners over Team Blue.
Nic Petan, a North Delta resident playing with the Greater Vancouver Canadians in the MML, was the game’s first star. He also scored twice while playing for Team Blue.