Pee Wee Chinooks begin their tourney with a win over Elk Valley

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Pee Wee Tournament
Chinooks vs Wild
C. Davis photo

Pincher Creek's Pee Wee Chinooks started their tournament of in style with an opening match against the Elk Valley Wild on Friday evening, February 10. The two teams are in Pool A of the tournament, along with the Sylvan Lake Lakers.

Chinooks' #19 Ethan Richards scored an unassisted goal early in the first period.  Despite displaying the offensive edge, the Chinooks didn't manage to capitalize on it until late in the period, when #9, Captain Nic Jordan, scored his own unassisted goal with 4:23 remaining on the clock.

Elk Valley Wild vs Pincher Creek Chinooks
C. Davis photos

The Wild pulled their game together in the second, with #7 Nicole Klein in particular posing a challenge for the Chinooks' offence.  Elks #3 Cole Zimmerman was formidable in the net, denying the Chinooks powerful offence time and again until late in the period, when Chinooks #4 Tyson Goodreau scored with an assist from #14 Bryce Conley.

Going into the third period, it was tempting to count the Elks out.  However, they weren't at all ready to surrender.  They upped their game considerably, hi ting hard and making the most of every opportunity, resulting in their first goal, by #14 Joshua Lee, of the game with 14:26 on the clock.  #10 Donovan Gostick got the assist on that one.  The Elks' spirit was considerably revived. Chinooks' Ethan Richards responded with another goal, assisted by #3 Jacoby Provost.

Again the Wild rallied, as the rough stuff began to increase, and were rewarded with a goal by #8 Madison Glover.  At this point the score stood at 4-2 Chinooks.  The Wild poured it on, repeatedly denied by the Chinooks' goaltending and defence.  With 6:02 left in the game, Tyson Goodreau scored his second goal of the game, a messy one that worked its way through a wall of bodies, bringing the score to 5-2 and knocking some of the optimism out of the Wild again. #2 Chaz Vance got the assist on that one, after nearly getting the goal. The Wild worked desperately against the odds to bring turn the game around, receiving some satisfaction when Gostick scored, assisted by #16 Chase Rayman.

With the score sitting at 5-3 and the remaining last minutes of the game draining away, the Wild took a chance and pulled their goalie.   Chinooks' #18 Emily Wittkopf took advantage of the situation, scoring with an assist by #11 Jesson Luco, bringing the final score to 6-3 Chinooks.

The Wild tied the Chinooks for goals scored in the third period, and were highly competent opponents for the home team, but a slow start proved to be too much to overcome for them.


Elk Valley Goalie #3 Cole Zimmerman and Pincher Creek's formidably talented  #18 Emily Wittkopf were named the players of the game.

The Chinooks will play the other Pool A team, the Sylvan Lake Lakers, today, February 11,  starting at 12:00 pm.  It will be the only game of the day for the Chinooks.  The tournament finals will be held on Sunday.