Team B.C.'s run of success on the ice at the Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup hockey tournament came to an abrupt end over the weekend in Calgary.
The boys from B.C., coached by Trevor Sprague of Prince George, lost 4-2 to Alberta Sunday afternoon in the gold-medal game.
"We competed hard, but you have to give credit to Alberta, they were an amazing team," said Sprague. "They ended up being the better team but our guys gave them a good run for their money.
"We got silver and we came for gold, so yeah we are a little disappointed but our goal was to be in the gold-medal game and we were, and we represented B.C. very well. They played hard for me."
Cole Johnson, Tyler Benson, Sam Steel (with the game-winner in the second period) and Skylar McKenzie scored for Alberta. Beck Malenstyn of Delta and Caleb Fantillo of Coquitlam were the B.C. goalscorers. Josh Anderson, the first-round pick of the Prince George Cougars in 2013, assisted on Fantllo's goal. Brody Wilms of Coquitlam made 36 saves in the B.C. nets.
B.C.'s six-game winning streak at the tournament was snapped Saturday in the round-robin when Alberta defeated B.C. 3-2 in overtime.
"We didn't bury our opportunities when we had them and Alberta did," said Sprague.
B.C. defeated Alberta in the final last year. Alberta has won the tournament three times since it s inception in 2010.
Sprague, general manager of the Cariboo Cougars major midget team, was impressed with forward Colton Thomas of Williams Lake, who plays for the Cariboo Cougars.
"He got better as the week went on," said Sprague.
