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CHAMPIONS – Conner Labar shoots during Eagles Family Day Atom tournament action last weekend in Squamish, B.C. The Yukon Mustangs went undefeated to win the tournament. Photo by JONI PIERCE

Atom Development Mustangs go undefeated in Squamish

The Atom Development Mustangs are having a season to remember.

By Marissa Tiel on February 17, 2017

The Atom Development Mustangs are having a season to remember.

The team is home after an unbeaten weekend at the Eagles Family Day Atom tournament in Squamish, B.C.

Playing six games in four days, the players impressed coach Derek Johnstone with their ability to stay focused.

“[It] shows mental toughness and a willingness to do what it takes as a team to win,” said Johnstone.

In their opening game, they faced the Langley Eagles and regular play ended in a 3-3 draw.

Goalie Taylor Bierlmeier stopped all three shooters, while Chayce Tuton scored for the win.

Game 2 saw another tie, 4-4, against the Mission Stars. The Mustangs were down 4-2 in the third period with two minutes remaining when Gavin Mckenna scored his second of the game. He rounded out his hat trick with 45 seconds left to tie it 4-4 and force another shootout.

Bierlmeier stood strong, stopped all the Stars’ attempts, while Landon Cowper and Mckenna scored to give the Mustangs the edge.

Game 3 saw the Mustangs rout Cowichan Valley 11-1.

In the quarter-final, the Mustangs advanced to the semis uncontested with a 3-0 win over South Delta as Bierlmeier recorded her first shutout of the tournament and Mckenna (2) and Nash Holmes scored.

The Mustangs won their final berth with a 9-3 victory over the Squamish Eagles.

“This game was where I knew this group was going to have a real strong chance at winning this tournament,” said Johnstone. “They were ready to go and just didn’t give Squamish any room out there. Every time they (Eagles) touched the puck, we were quick to pressure, forecheck and defensively played tight. You could see the group was motivated to get back to the final.”

Last year the team made it to the finals but lost. Johstone said that a number of returning players wanted to get back to the final and win it.

The group did just that, outscoring the Whistler Winterhawks 8-2 to win the tournament.

Johnstone said the team has come a long way from their first tournament in early December where they placed sixth in Salmon Arm, B.C.

“They are stronger and more skilled with and without the puck,” he said.

Their strengths come from unselfish play and passing.

“They play as a team and really do not care who scores the goal. It is about being successful.”

The Atom Development Mustangs play next in the West Kelowna Minor Hockey tournament March 3-5.

Comments (1)

Up 5 Down 0

Laini Klassen on Feb 18, 2017 at 12:05 pm

Taylor Bierlmeier is a girl... she recorded HER first shut out.

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