The Valley West Hawks are in a three-way tie for first place in the B.C. Hockey Major Midget League, after splitting a two-game series with the Okanagan Rockets last weekend at the University of British Columbia’s Thunderbird Winter Sports Centre.
The Hawks took a 2-0 lead after 20 minutes of the first game Saturday, but surrendered four third period goals in a 6-4 loss.
Ram Brar of Surrey tallied twice, both on assists from Semiahmoo skaters Sam Chatterly and Matthew Cox. Jerret Smith and Mitchell Friesen, both of Surrey, had the other Hawks goals.
In Sunday’s rematch, Okanagan twice took one-goal leads in the second period, only to have Valley West tie the game on each occasion. Friesen netted what proved to be the game-winning goal in the last minute of play in the period. Latrell Charleson and Spencer Meyer of Surrey, and Langley’s Daniell Lange with his second of the game, completed the scoring in the third period. Nick Coltura of Langley also scored for the Hawks.
With three wins and a loss in four games, Valley West is tied with the Cariboo Cougars of Prince George and the Greater Vancouver Canadians for first place. Valley West hosts the Cougars for two games next weekend, facing off Saturday at 2:15 p.m. and Sunday at 3:15 p.m. Both games are at the Langley Events Centre.
- Three Hawks players are among the top four in league scoring, with Friesen leading all MML snipers with three goals and six assists. Meyer and Danton Heinen of Langley are tied for third, both with a league-high four goals and three assists.