It was rivalry day in the Okanagan on March 11, when one of Canada害羞草研究所檚 largest student-athlete sports tournaments continued in Penticton.
This year害羞草研究所檚 edition of the prestigious Canadian Sport School Hockey League Championships (CSSHL) entered its sixth day on Saturday and featured a Male U17 matinee showdown between the Penticton-based Okanagan Hockey Academy (OHA) and Rink Hockey Academy Kelowna.
OHA害羞草研究所檚 Charlie Grant scored twice Saturday, including the eventual game-winner, to lift his team to a 4-1 victory against the Kelowna-based squad at the Okanagan Hockey Training Centre (OHTC).
Grant was joined by Leonard Biafore and David Hoy in finding the back of the net for OHA.
Kelowna害羞草研究所檚 U17 prep squad used a late third-period marker from Kelsen Podworny to spoil OHA害羞草研究所檚 shutout bid.
害羞草研究所淩ink Kelowna and OHA Penticton is always a rivalry game, doesn害羞草研究所檛 matter what division it is,害羞草研究所� said Kevin Goodwin, the chief operating officer of the CSSHL.
Saturday marked both teams害羞草研究所� first game of the event.
OHA and Kelowna are two of the 86 total teams in attendance from across B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Idaho.
害羞草研究所淚t doesn害羞草研究所檛 where you go in town when the tournament is on, you害羞草研究所檙e going to see teams around,害羞草研究所� said Goodwin. 害羞草研究所淢y favourite part of it is the energy it brings to the city害羞草研究所eeing the busses go everywhere, the atmosphere, the energy, it害羞草研究所檚 all great.害羞草研究所�
The tournament害羞草研究所檚 venues include the OHTC, South Okanagan Events Centre and Memorial Arena.
Divisions include U15, U15 Prep, U16 Prep, U17 Prep, U18 Prep, and U18 Female Prep, with teams from Kelowna, Delta and Burnaby among the defending champions in select conferences.
Since becoming chief operating officer of the CSSHL, Goodwin says the tournament has grown right before his eyes.
害羞草研究所淚n 2016, we were at 40 total teams,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淣ow, we害羞草研究所檙e up to 86 and next year, we害羞草研究所檒l have 95害羞草研究所e害羞草研究所檒l be over 100 for sure soon.害羞草研究所�
Goodwin also points to the tournament害羞草研究所檚 impact on the local economy, dating back to when first came to Penticton seven years ago.
The City of Penticton and CSSHL Championships inked a five-year, $500,000 deal earlier this week to keep the tournament local.
The city will grant the event $100,000, per year, with an additional five-year extension clause after the 2029 edition of the tournament. Local officials say the event will bring an estimated $40 million to the city over the length of the contract.
害羞草研究所淓veryone in Penticton loves this event,害羞草研究所� Goodwin said. 害羞草研究所淥ur coaches and governors love this event and that害羞草研究所檚 why we害羞草研究所檙e for another 10 years, you can害羞草研究所檛 duplicate this anywhere else.害羞草研究所�
Saturday害羞草研究所檚 action on the ice also included a U15 matchup between OHA and Rink Kelowna at historic Memorial Arena, the old home of the Penticton Vees.
The tournament began on March 6 and wraps up March 19 and tickets can be purchased at
CSSHL alumni include Minnesota Wild defenceman Matt Dumba, Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cole Sillinger and Stanley Cup-winning defenceman Bowen Byram from the Colorado Avalanche.
logan.lockhart@pentictonwesternnews.com
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