The Airdrie Lightning Midget AA hockey team struck gold over the holidays.
The team beat the host Richmond Blues 6-2, Dec. 31, to win the 30th Annual Richmond International Midget Tournament in B.C. The Lightning’s Kevin O’Rourke was named tournament MVP as the team went 6W-0L through the event, which began on Boxing Day.
Fifty-eight teams from throughout North America, featuring some of the top midget-aged prospects, competed in Richmond in front of parents, fans and scouts from Junior A, Junior B and college teams.
Airdrie claimed victories over California’s Santa Clara Blackhawks, Alaska’s Anchorage North Stars, the Vancouver Spirit and the Kelowna Jr. Rockets in round-robin play, before beating the Campbell River Tyess and the Penticton Vees in the playoffs to earn a spot in the final. The Lightning outscored its opponents by a combined 56-8 in the six games.
During the final on New Year’s Eve, Airdrie used two first-period goals and three second-period goals to build a insurmountable lead over the Blues. The team’s aggressive forechecking, as well as solid defence and goaltending held the lead through the third to secure the win for Airdrie.
The Lightning has resumed its league schedule and will be travelling to Brandon, Man., in February, to participate in the Tournament of Champions, where 74 teams and 1,400 players from Atom to Midget levels will compete.
