Squamish RCMP walked away with a 7-4 victory in the annual Guns and Hoses charity hockey game between the police and the Squamish Fire Rescue team held Friday at Brennan Park.
The score was not the point of the evening though, as the event raises funds to help a community person or family in the event if a significant illness or life-altering circumstance.
This year, the proceeds are to support Kyle Taylor, 3, who was diagnosed with neuroblastoma cancer four months ago, and his family. He has already endured chemotherapy and surgery and will undergo more chemotherapy as well radiation. The organizers preferred to keep the amount raised for the family private.
The event was also to help the local food bank and brought in more than $600 and several boxes of food.
Eagles grounded
With hockey season winding down, the local bantam C-1 house team in Squamish hosted an eight-team tournament over the weekend.
The Eagles started off strong against Coquitlam on Saturday morning, when Jack Seatle put a wrister past the Coquitlam goalie. Spencer Burton and Lukas Murphy soon added goals. However, the opponents quickly fought back to tie it up, while Squamish added two more before the period was done.
From the second period on, though, the team’s fortunes took a sharp turn. Goalie Xavier Charbonneau came up with several stellar saves, but the defence could only hold out so long, and in the end, Coquitlam walked away with a 12-6 win. Squamish subsequently dropped round robin games to Cloverdale and Merritt. In the final on Monday, Merritt beat Powell River 4-3 to take the championship game.
Quest stars named All-Canadians
The Canadian Collegiate Athletic Association has named Quest athletes to the 2016 CCAA Basketball All-Canadians. Theo VandenEkart was named to the men’s team, while forward Miriam Baumann was picked for the women.
VandenEkart was third in Pacwest scoring with 17.3 points per game and helped lead the Kermodes to a second-place regular season finish, while Baumann was fourth in scoring and led the Pacwest in rebounding.
The student athletes were selected by their conference based on performance and contribution to the sport and their team.
Cranfield helps lead B.C. squad
Local minor hockey president Derek Cranfield will serve as director of operations for the provincial U16 team for an upcoming event.
BC Hockey announced the team staff on March 16 for the male U16 Team BC, which will compete at the 2016 Western Branch Challenge.
“We are very confident in the selection of these individuals to lead Team BC a successful showing at the Western Branch Challenge,” BC Hockey chief executive officer Barry Petrachenko said.
Spring soccer program
Quest University Canada and Squamish Youth Soccer Association are teaming up to provide a spring soccer program.
The partnership will give Squamish players access to the Quest soccer programs, elite facilities and professional coaching staff. The program runs on a solid foundation of rewarding creativity and encouraging mistakes so that players improve.
“The partnership with SYSA is something we cherish. It is important to us that we invest time and energy into supporting the local youth soccer players, players that we hope one day can be strong student athletes at Quest, or furthermore, at any university,” Kermodes’ men's soccer coach Alexander Elliott said. “We want to support this growth and create a fun learning environment for all that are involved."
The program, open to all players born 2004 to 2011, begins April 25 to 30. For more information, visit www.squamishsoccer.ca.
