Nannock Warriors win big at Native Hockey Tournament

The Nannock Warriors might not have scored early, but the team did end up scoring often, beating the Kluane/Alaska 8-0 in the 'A'Division final of the 31st Annual Native Hockey Tournament.

The Nannock Warriors might not have scored early, but the team did end up scoring often, beating the Kluane/Alaska 8-0 in the ‘A’Division final of the 31st Annual Native Hockey Tournament.
The Warriors netted four goals in the second period and followed that up with four more in the third frame.
The eight-goal lead concluded the game just under three minutes before the end of regulation because of the tournament’s mercy rule.
“We played an excellent game today,“ said Curtis Cardinal, a forward on the Warriors.

“This is one of the most prestigious tournaments to play in and takes a lot of hard work to win, so I would say this is the highlight of the year no matter what tournament I am playing in.“
Although no goals were scored in the first period, there was still plenty of action for the fans who packed the Takhini Arena to cheer about.

Kluane/Alaska got off to a great start and had the first scoring chance of the game, forcing the Warriors goalie Brad Atkinson to make a nice pad save in the first minute of play.
The Warriors got into penalty trouble early on in the contest and with just over five minutes into the game, were faced with the difficult task of killing off a five-on-three advantage for Kluane/Alaska.
Nannock wasn’t fazed by this challenge.

The team made up for the lack of bodies on the ice by working hard and not getting caught out of position.
The crowd showed its appreciation, cheering after the Warriors dumped the puck down the ice after a scramble in front of the net created a chance for Kluane/Alaska.
With less than 10 minutes remaining, Nannock went on its first power play of the game.

The extra man gave the team some additional energy and resulted in its best scoring chance of the period.
The opportunity occurred when one of the Warriors forwards rushed into the Kluane/Alaska zone, cut across the ice and fired a quick low shot at the net.

Kluane’s goalie made an impressive save, stopping the puck with an outstretched pad and was able to cover it up before another chance was created.
The first period concluded with Atkinson making a nice glove save on a low shot.
It didn’t take Nannock long to get on the board in the second frame.

The team scored after a beautiful pass sent in Lance Brown all alone, who sent a wrist shot by the Kluane’s netminder. Ian Kuster and Quinton Mackie were credited with the assists on the play.
Not even two minutes later, the Warriors would add to their lead on a goal by Cardinal, who fired a low hard shot past the pad of the opposition goalie. Barry Blistner and Derek Johnstone assisted on the goal.
Clayton Thomas scored the third goal for the Warriors with 6:10 remaining in the second period.

Thomas buried a rebound after the initial save was made by Kluane’s goaltender. Chris Gleason and Ryan Gleason each were credited with one assist.
Jordie Alphonse scored the final goal of the period for Nannock, while Ian Kuster and Reid Campbell each were given an assist.
Nannock didn’t let up in the third period, increasing its lead to 5-0 on a shorthanded goal by Thomas, nearing the 10-minute mark.

Thomas found the top corner of the net, blowing the puck by Kluane’s goalie and responded by jumping up against the boards in celebration.

Billy McKay got the lone assist on the play.
Not even four minutes later, McKay made the score 6-0, while Nannock enjoyed its first two man power play advantage of the game.

After the team did an outstanding job of passing the puck around, McKay was setup and wasted little time, firing a hard shot from just inside the blue line, which found its way through the five-hole of Kluane/Alaska’s goaltender.
Alphonse added his second goal of the contest with 3:36 remaining in the game, capitalizing on a rebound opportunity to increase Nannock’s lead to 7-0.
With 2:46 left in the third frame, Thomas notched the Warriors eighth goal to end the game.
Besides medals and a trophy Nannock was given a total of $5,000 for winning the ‘A’Division, while Kluane Alaska was awarded with $3,000.
Other tournament winners included Inuvik of the Oldtimers Division. Inuvik just edged by Carmacks by a close score of 7-6.
Cal Wenghofer and Junior Kuptana led the way offensively for Inuvik, each scoring two goals and one assist.
Todd Moran scored once and added two assists and Mervin Jacobson each added two assists, while Conrad Baetz scored once and contributed one assist.
Carmacks gave a valiant effort in the loss, managing to score five goals in the third period alone.
Blaine Demchuk scored once and added three assists, while Adam Green, Ray Johnson, Bill Bohmer each finished with one goal and one assist.
Tom Amson and James Billy scored the remaining goals for the team.
The Gwich’in Flames came out on top of the ‘B’Division, beating Champagne Aishihik Storm 7-2.
Scorers on the Flames included Eric Jackson, who finished with an impressive two goal total, while Raymond Koe, Frederick Ross, Jamie Foley and Elton Ruben each finished with one goal in the victory.
Ryan Hodgins and Cody Joe scored the two Storm goals.
The Tuya Tornadoes netted three goals in the third period to go onto a 6-3 victory over the Reel Cold Ice Dogs in the Jamboree Division’s gold medal game.
Goal scorers on the Tornadoes included Kyle Cook, who finished with two goals, while Bryden Engren-Cook, Eddie Oelton, Reuben Huebschwerlen and Riley Tobin each scored once in the win.
Yudii Mecredi and Chris Vance scored the two goals for the Reel Cold Ice Dogs. 
In the Youth Division, the Gwitch’in Braves defeated the Gwich’in Gladiators by a close score of 3-2.
Kolin Kabenek scored the first two goals for the Braves, while Daniel Moses netted the game winner.
Rowan Huggard and Josh Harlow scored the two goals for the Gladiators.