Kent Valley Hockey Association

Selects News Log
Below are the latest news items about our Kent Valley U-18 Selects.

Kent Valley U-18 “AAA” Selects Split in B.C.

Abbotsford, B.C.  21 February, 2009 – The Kent Valley U-18 2008 “AAA” Selects travelled to the lower mainland of British Columbia over the weekend for two exhibition games.  Saturday morning’s game was played against the Vancouver Thunderbirds at the Great Pacific Forum.  Kent Valley won by a score of 6 to 1.  They moved on to the Abbotsford Recreation Centre in Abbotsford in the afternoon for a 5:15pm game against the Abbotsford A’s.  Abbotsford took advantage of a travel-weary Kent Valley team defeating the Selects 10 to 4.

Here are the scoring summaries for both games:

Contact: Lew Sellers, Director of Communications

Kent Valley Hockey Association

6015 So. 240th Street

Kent, WA. 98032

(206) 914-9619 Cellular

Lew@KentValleyIceCentre.com

Kent Valley U-18 Selects Place 2^nd at Silver Stick Regional Tournament in Las Vegas

Las Vegas, NV 30 November, 2008 – For the second tournament in a row, the Kent Valley U-18 Selects lost in the Championship game and finished second place out of 11 teams at the Silver Stick 2008 Midget Major AA Tournament held in Las Vegas this past weekend.  The Selects went undefeated through round robin play and earned an exciting overtime victory against undefeated San Jose Jr. Sharks in the semi-finals before succumbing to fatigue and dropping the Championship game to the Orange County Hockey Club. 

The Kent Valley Selects play predominantly Midget Major AAA against B.C. based opponents, but occasionally play AA opponents due to their short roster.  With 12 skaters, a younger roster (average age 16 years) and a tournament format that offered 6 games in 3 days, the Selects opted in for the Silver Stick 2008 Midget Major AA Tournament in hopes of getting several good games in the same weekend.  They were not disappointed and their efforts earned them a semi-final victory and a second trip to a tournament Championship game in the last 3 weeks.

Game 1: Kent Valley Selects (3) vs. California Wave (3) - The Selects started off slowly with two ties the first day.  In an early Friday morning game, the Selects tied the California Wave 3-3.  Kent Valley’s Ryan Doner initiated scoring with 6:53 remaining in the first period.  Less than a minute later Tyler Sybil bumped the Kent Valley lead to two goals.  The Wave scored the next two goals to end the period in a 2 to 2 tie.  Tyler Sybil scored his second goal of the game early in the second period.  Seven minutes later Cal-Wave tied the game at 3 to 3.  Neither team was able to score in the third period.  Scoring for the first game is summarized below:

Game 2: Kent Valley Selects (4) vs. Orange County Hockey Club (4) - Later in the day Friday, the Selects took on Orange County Hockey Club, battling to a 4-4 tie in a physical contest that proved to be a preview of the Championship matchup.  Kent Valley got off to an early lead with Eliot Grauer scoring a power play goal less than five minutes into the game.  Ryan Doner scored his second goal of the tournament with 7:44 remaining in the period giving the Selects a 2-0 lead.  Orange County cut the Kent Valley lead to one goal at the end of the first period.  Orange County scored two more goals at the midway point of the second period to take a one goal lead.  Anthony Petruzzelli tied the game with a power play goal at 4:03 of the second period.  Ryan Doner scored the Selects third power play goal of the game with 49 seconds remaining in the period to give the Selects a one-goal lead at the end of the period.  The Selects held onto to their thin lead and the two teams played even until 12:31 of the third period when Orange County tied it up at 4-4.  A scoring summary is below: 

Game 3: Kent Valley Selects (6) vs. Southern California Titans (4) - The Selects turned it up a notch the second day, defeating the So-Cal Titans in the morning 6-4.  Ryan Doner scored three goals for a Hat Trick.  Corey James added two more goals and Tyler Sybil scored one to bring the team total to six.  Ryan Doner’s first goal was shorthanded.  Corey James’ second goal was an empty netter.  The scoring summary is below:

Game 4: Kent Valley Selects (6) vs. California Stars (1) - Facing an undefeated California Stars team later the same day, the Selects needed victory to preserve their chances of advancing to the playoff round.  The Stars scored first but it was their only goal of the game.  The Selects went on to hammer the Stars 6-1, earning a 4^th place finish and a semi-final game against first place San Jose the next morning.  A scoring summary is below:

Game 5: Kent Valley Selects (2) vs. San Jose Jr. Sharks (1) - The semi-final game verses San Jose was a great contest with intensity and end-to-end action.  Selects Goaltender Ryan Corriveau was in net for the Selects.  Corriveau resides in San Jose and was especially motivated to defeat his former association.  Corriveau turned in a stellar performance throughout regulation allowing only one power play goal against as the two teams battled to a 1-1 tie after regulation.  A five minute sudden death overtime ensued and ended when Selects forward Ryan Doner split two San Jose defenders and slid the puck under the San Jose goaltender’s arm for the game-winning goal.  San Jose tried to argue the puck never crossed the line, but the video and referee show the puck clearly crossing the line. 

Matt Blondin, parent of the Selects’ Kyle Blondin, captured a video of the goal on his cell phone.  Blondin was standing at the glass atop a bench behind the Orange County net and provided entertaining commentary that can be heard on the video clip.  You can view the video of Doner’s winning goal on the U-18 team page on www.KentValleyHockey.com.

Game 6: Kent Valley Selects (2) vs. Orange County Hockey Club (8) - In the other semifinal game, the LA Hockey Club lost in a shootout to Orange County setting up a Kent Valley – Orange County final game.  With less than 5 hours of rest, the Selects finally bowed out to tournament champion Orange County losing the Championship Game 2-8. 

The Selects next Tournament will be in Penticton January 2^nd through 4^th.

Contact: Lew Sellers, Director of Communications

Kent Valley Hockey Association

6015 So. 240th Street

Kent, WA. 98032

(206) 914-9619 Cellular

Lew@KentValleyIceCentre.com

We are a U.S. based Midget “AAA” team specifically targeting ‘91’s and younger, thus qualifying us to compete in Elite Midget tournaments in Canada and with top showcase tournaments in the U.S.

Our program is designed to provide top level Midget-aged players from the U.S. an opportunity to compete in a development-based program with a very positive Western Hockey League (WHL) philosophy.  Specifically targeted players include 16-17 year olds who are top prospects or on protected lists that need additional strength and skill development before making the jump to the Junior ranks.  Players will receive:

• 4 to 5 90 minute practice sessions per week under the direction of professional coaching by Danny Lorenz and Les Grauer
• 4 off-ice sessions under the direction of Bob Hamre, former Everett Silvertips Strength and Conditioning Trainer
• Tournaments in British Columbia against top level Midget teams
• Select Showcase Tournaments in the U.S.

We plan on building our team around committed and disciplined players who have a strong desire to be the best they can be.  We have all seen the emergence of top programs in California, Arizona and Texas.  Our goal is to develop a program in the Pacific Northwest to rival and compete with those teams.  The difference is that none of those teams offer to work with Major Junior Hockey in a development capacity as we plan to do at Kent Valley.
If you have any questions, please call Danny Lorenz at (253) 850-2400 ext. 14 or contact Danny via e-mail at danny@KentValleyIceCentre.com. 

Kent Valley U-18 “AAA” Selects Lose Championship Game in Shoot-Out

Abbotsford, B.C., Canada 10 November, 2008 – Kent Valley’s U-18 “AAA” Selects participated in the Abbotsford International Midget Tournament November 7-10 in Abbotsford, B.C.  The Kent Valley Selects won second place in the tournament after losing the championship game in a shoot-out with the Penticton Vees.  Here’s the game detail…

Game 1: Kent Valley (4) vs. Abbotsford (5)

Kent Valley began the tournament with a controversial loss to host Abbotsford.  Trailing 4-5 in the final minute of play, Kent Valley pulled their goaltender and pressured heavily in the Abbotsford zone for the equalizer.  With 8 seconds remaining in regulation, Kent Valley scored what they thought was the tying goal, with the puck crossing the line by approximately 12” before being pulled out by the Abbotsford goaltender.  While the Kent Valley players celebrated, the referees quickly convened and decided they didn’t see the puck cross the line, thus waiving off the goal and the Selects chances of tying the game.  

Game 2: Kent Valley (5) vs. Penticton Vees AAA (4)

The second game of the day pitted the Kent Valley Selects against the Penticton Vees in what turned out to be a preview of the Championship game.  Kent Valley exploded for 4 first period goals and held on for a 5-4 final score. 

Game 3: Kent Valley (7) vs. Oceanside Generals (2)

The Selects squared off against the Oceanside Generals in game 3 besting the Generals in a penalty-marred game 7-2.  Kent Valley accumulated 47 penalty minutes and Oceanside was whistled for 75 penalty minutes. 

Game 4: Kent Valley (3) vs. Pursuit of Excellence (2)

Kent Valley’s performance in game 3 earned them a semi-final berth against a very tough Pursuit of Excellence team.  In a hard fought contest, Kent Valley defeated Pursuit of Excellence 3-2 to earn their spot in the Championship Game.

Game 5 – Championship Game: Kent Valley (4) vs. Penticton Vees (5)

The Championship Game was held mid-day Tuesday and pit the Selects against the Penticton Vees.  After 60 minutes, the score was tied 4-4.  Following a 5 minute overtime period, the contest was decided in a shootout with Penticton besting the Selects and taking home first place honors.  The Vees were backed by a stellar performance from their goaltender, Cole Holowenko, who turned back 4 of 5 shooters in the shootout and made several outstanding saves down the stretch.  Cole was a second round draft pick of the Chilliwack Bruins in the 2008 WHL draft.  Congratulations to the Penticton Vees for their well earned victory and congratulations to the Kent Valley Selects for an outstanding effort. 

The Kent Valley U-18 “AAA” Selects will host the Chilliwack Bruins Midget “AAA” next weekend at the Kent Valley Ice Centre.  Games times are Saturday 4:00pm and Sunday 6:50am.  Catch high-end Midget “AAA” action right here in Kent and come cheer on the Selects as they host powerhouse Chilliwack!

Kent Valley U-18 Selects Take Two from SnoKing Jr. Thunderbirds

Kirkland, WA 25 October, 2008 – Kingsgate Arena was the venue for game one of a two-game series between Kent Valley’s U-18 Selects and SnoKing’s U-18 Jr. Thunderbirds.  Kent Valley won the Saturday match by a score of 8 to 2.  The game was marred by penalties on both sides.  The Selects took advantage of their power play opportunities by capitalizing on 4 of 9 opportunities for a respectable 44%.  The Select’s Alex Tindal earned a Hat Trick.  Ryan Corriveau stopped 20 of 22 shots on the Select’s goal for a save percentage of 91%.  A scoring summary is below:

Renton, WA 26 October, 2008 – Castle Ice Arena was the site for game two of the two-game series between the Kent Valley U-18 Selects and SnoKing’s U-18 Jr. Thunderbirds.  The Selects won game two by a score of 7 to 2.  Sean Macfarlane was in goal for the Selects.  Macfarlane turned in an excellent performance stopping 30 of 32 SnoKing shots on goal for a 94% save rate.  Neither team was able to take advantage of power plays with the Selects going 0 / 4 and the Jr. Thunderbirds going 0 / 4.

SnoKing swapped goalies in both games hoping to cope with the offensive pressure of the Selects.  SnoKing goalie Breyton DeFrance had a 79% save rate over his play in the two games.  His teammate Ross Larson, had a 68% save rate of the two games.  A scoring summary is below:

Kent Valley’s U-18 “AAA” Selects take 3^rd at Seafair International Icebreaker Tournament

Richmond, B.C. October 13, 2008 – The 2008 Seafair Minor Hockey Association International Icebreaker Tournament was held in Richmond, B.C., with 48 teams competing from October 10th to October 13th.  The Selects took 3^rd place at the tournament in spite of carrying a very short bench containing only two lines.  Given the tournament format which required two games per day, the Selects played well, overcoming a significant disadvantage in fatigue, particularly during the second game each day.  Scores for each of the five tournament games is below:

Game 1:  Kent Valley (4) vs. South Delta (4)

The Selects started out against the South Delta Storm battling hard throughout the first two periods.  South Delta eventually took a 1-0 lead in the final 28 seconds of the second period.  South Delta took advantage early in the third period and stormed out to a 4-1 lead.  The Selects were not defeated and came back scoring 3 times in the final 5 minutes to earn the tie.

Game 2:  Kent Valley (1) vs. West Coast Hockey Club (3)

Game two was played later the same day against the West Coast Hockey Club.  West Coast shut down a tired Selects team through two periods and went on to defeat Kent 3-1 with an empty net goal in the closing seconds of the game.

Game 3:  Kent Valley (4) vs. Vancouver Minor AAA (3)

Game 3 pit the more rested Selects against Vancouver Minor AAA.  Kent Valley went ahead early and held onto the lead after a late Vancouver rally, earning the 4-3 victory.

Game 4:  Kent Valley (2) vs. Seafair Islanders (7)

Playing in their 4^th game in two days, the Selects faced the eventual tournament champion Seafair Islanders.  The Selects spotted Seafair two early power play goals before storming back to tie the game 2-2.  After that it was all Seafair, as the Islanders took advantage of several power play opportunities. 

Game 5:  Kent Valley (6) vs. Portland Jr. Hawks (1)

With Round Robin play concluded, Kent Valley faced off against Portland for the Bronze Medal game.  The Selects scored early and bested the Junior Hawks 6-1 earning a third place finish in the tournament.

Midget U-18 “AAA” Selects Take Two in Portland

Portland, OR October 5, 2008 – Danny Lorenz’s U-18 Selects travelled to Portland Sunday for back-to-back games against the Portland Jr. Winterhawks at Valley Ice Arena.  Strangely enough, the Portland series was a replay of the games the two teams played to in Kent on September 20^th and 21^st.  Scores then were 5 to 1 and 4 to 3 in favor the Selects.  Ditto, this past weekend.

Game 1, 7:15am – Kent Valley Selects 5 vs. Portland Jr. Winterhawks 1

Ryan Corriveau was in goal for the Selects.  Corriveau stopped 35 of 34 and survived 5 Portland power play opportunities.  The Selects fired 32 shots on the Portland goal, finding the net on five of those shots.  The Selects took 5 penalties for a total of 10 minutes.  Portland had 6 penalties for 12 minutes.

The referee awarded Portland a penalty shot at 8:51 of the third period.  Corriveau easily turned away the shot by Portland’s Kade King.  A game scoring summary is below:

Game 2, 11:30am – Kent Valley Selects 4 vs. Portland Jr. Winterhawks 3

Sean MacFarlane guarded the goal for the Selects in the second game and stopped 30 of 34 Portland shots.  The Selects fired 24 shots on the Portland’s Matthew Hughes, scoring on 4 of those. 

Portland led the Selects by 1 goal through the entire second period and four minutes into the third period until Eliot Grauer tied it up with help from Corey James and Tyler Sybil.  Two minutes later Portland took the lead again on a Scott Moyer goal.  Eliot Grauer tied it up again with 7:31 remaining on an assist from Tyler Sybil.  The chances for a Selects victory took a dive at 6:23 when Tyler Sybil was called for tripping.  However, with the Selects down to four players and one anxious goalie, Anthony Petruzzelli picked up a tipped puck in the defensive zone skated full ice for the shorthanded and game winning goal.  A game scoring summary is below:

U-18 “AAA” Selects Reel in Idaho Jr. Steelheads