Smiles stretching ear to ear were running rampant throughout the confines of Total Ice Training Centre during the weekend as the facility hosted its annual Youth Spring 4 on 4 Tournament.
Twelve teams — eight novice and four initiation — made up the tournament, totalling 110 players from Williams Lake, Vanderhoof, Fort St. John, Prince George, Quesnel, Kamloops and 100 Mile House.
“It was an unreal weekend,” said Total Ice Training Centre owner and tournament organizer Tyrel Lucas.
Adding to the fun of the event, he said, was having players being required to sign up individually, rather than as part of a team.
Lucas worked dilligently prior to the tournament to create evenly-matched teams and, he said, everything worked out well.
“Every team ended up winning at least one game, which was pretty awesome,” he said. “It was a good way to wrap up the year.”
Winning in the initiation division were the White Cowboys, who defeated Initiation Yellow 7-4 Sunday afternoon.
Following the initiation final, the novice division’s top two teams squared off in a nail biter.
There, it was Blue defeating Red, 11-9, with some intense final minutes of play featuring end-to-end action as Red looked to pull off the come-from-behind victory.
Following both finals, players from the winning teams were presented gold medals, which were proudly worn by participants as they made their way outside the arena.
