The Airdrie Xtreme should not have any rust when it returns to the ice in Kamloops next week.
In preparation for the 44th annual Kamloops International Bantam Ice Hockey Tournament (KIBIHT), which will run from April 4 to 8, the local Bantam AAA hockey team has been practicing steadily since its playoff exit three weeks ago.
ìItís a big event and Iím very glad to be heading back,î said head coach Terry Keogh. ìItís definitely something for them to look forward to. It gives them some short-term goals to shoot for. Weíve been practicing since they lost in the third round of the playoffs. Itís a well-run tournament and there is lots of great, competitive hockey there.î
The Xtreme played an exhibition game against Spruce Grove on March 24 in Airdrie., where the teams tied 6-6. Keogh said he wasnít concerned about the outcome, and he was just happy to play a competitive game ahead of KIBIHT.
ìI was pleased with the way our guys played,î he said.
The teamís last practice was on March 27, with a scheduled departure for Kamloops on April 3. Its second-year players are also in Alberta Cup tryouts this week.
ìThat will be their competitive hockey over the weekend, with a bunch of intersquad games, and that will benefit us next week,î Keogh said. ìTheir intensity level is up.î
Captain Marshall Burr is going in for shoulder surgery next week and wonít be playing in Kamloops. The team will bring in a couple of its affiliated players, which Keogh said will also help him to gauge the talent for next yearís team.
ìIt will give them the opportunity to see the level of hockey theyíll need to be at if they want to play next year,î he said.
The Xtreme will conclude its season with an awards night on April 10. Dinner will be at 7 p.m., with the hardware announcements to follow at about 7:45 p.m. at the Ron Ebbesen Arena.
