Kenaston, Sports

Kenaston Blizzards capture Senior D title

The Kenaston Blizzards pose for a picture with the Senior D Provincial championship banner and trophy. The Blizzards won the provincial finals in Lucky Lake on March 25. (Contributed photo)

KENASTON—Tin is the traditional 10th anniversary gift.

But it was silver the Kenaston Blizzards were hoisting on March 25 as they raised the J. W. Hamilton Trophy for winning the Senior D Provincial Championships.

The Blizzards beat Lucky Lake/Dinsmore 6-1 in the third game of the best of three series.

The win came exactly 10 years to the day since Kenaston won its first Provincial D title in 2002.

Since then the Blizzards have been to the semi finals, north finals, and other rounds of provincial playoffs, but “we were never able to do it again until now,” said coach Barry Firby.

He said this year’s team was different thanks to homegrown products Mike Prpich and Aaron Phillips who came home to play with Kenaston after playing professional hockey.

“And we added a couple imports too,” Firby said.

The Blizzards’ roster also includes players from Kenaston, Hawarden and Hanley areas as well as goalie Kevin Hassett and forward Kenton Dulle, who hail from Craik.

After beating the Kyle Elks in the semi-finals, the Blizzards met Lucky Lake/Dinsmore in the finals.

Lucky Lake/Dinsmore won the first game 6-4 in Dinsmore. On March 24, Kenaston won the second game 5-1 at home. The Blizzards travelled to Lucky Lake for the final game beating their hosts 6-1.

Between provincial playoffs and league playoffs, Blizzards have become the best show in town.

“Everybody is very excited in Kenaston. We’ve had some really good crowds watch us,” Firby said.

Kenaston was in Rosetown Saturday night for the fifth and deciding game in the Sask Valley Hockey League. The series was knotted at 2-2.

The Rosetown Redwings won the first two games in the series 9-6 and 6-3 respectively.

The Blizzards came back March 20 to defeat the Redwings 6-5 in Rosetown and then beat them in Kenaston last Tuesday, March 27, 6-3. Lyndon Leard and Alekcei McAvoy had two goals each for the Blizzards with Kenton Dulle and Aaron Phillips getting a goal apiece in the win. Rosetown outshot Kenaston 38-26 with Blizzards goalie Kevin Hassett stopping 35 shots.

Results of Saturdays league final in Rosetown were unavailable at press time.

The Kenaston Blizzards 2011-12 player roster included goalies Jon Sagen and Kevin Hassett as well as Lyndon Leard, Josh Kerpan, Nick Prpich, David McDougall, Derek Butcher, Skylar Feltis, Clint Ringdal, Ryley Lowdermilk, Scott McQueen, Tyrel Kerpan, Kenton Dulle, Garrett Soparlo, Mike Prpich, Don McAvoy, Lee Carpenter, Jesse Ouellette, Chris Prpich, Lucas Ringdal, John Ouellette, Alekcei McAvoy, Mike Hertz and Aaron Phillips.