Facebook15Tweet0Pin0 Submitted by Olympic National ForestOlympia, WA –Grab some hot chocolate and gather a group of family and friends to head to Olympic National Forest and cut your own Christmas tree! Christmas tree permits are now available at offices throughout the Olympic peninsula.The permits cost $5.00 each (cash or check only) and can be purchased during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, with special weekend hours at some locations. The permits are valid only in specified areas of the Olympic National Forest. Maps and information about cutting locations will be provided with each permit sale. You may also purchase a permit by using the mail order form available at http://www.fs.usda.gov/olympic/Please contact your local office for hours or additional information, as well as for current road and weather conditions. Note that all offices will be closed for federal holidays on November 12 and November 22.Olympic National Forest Headquarters in Olympia (360-956-2300)Hood Canal Ranger District Office in Quilcene (360-765-2200)Pacific Ranger District Office in Quinault (360-288-2525)Hoodsport Visitor Information Center (360-877-2021)Forks Visitor Information Center (360-374-6522)
Submitted by Oly Town ArtesiansThe Oly Town Artesians jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead in the first quarter and despite a one man fourth quarter comeback attempt, held on to knock off the Arlington Aviators 9-7 in the regular season finale at Olympia Indoor Soccer. Issa Hassan, William Ramirez, Sebastian Lyons and JC Henson each scored two goals and the Artesians finished their inaugural regular season on a high note, with a playoff game against the #1 seed Tacoma Stars on the horizon.William Ramirez got the Oly faithful on their feet early with a goal at the 12:27 mark of the first quarter. Over the next minute and a half, Sebastian Lyons and JC Henson each added a goal to give the Artesians a 3-0 lead before five minutes had elapsed in the game. Five minutes later, Nate Boatright added a goal to go up 4-0 and Issa Hassan closed out the scoring in the first quarter with 2:45 left and the the first 15 minutes came to a close with the Artesians up 5-0.The Aviators tightened up and held the Artesians scoreless in the second quarter and Winfred Smith’s goal with 10 minutes left in the third quarter got the Aviators to within two goals at 6-4. But Henson answered a minute later to give the Artesians a 7-4 lead and Lyons scored his second goal of the game with 6:55 left in the third to build an 8-4 lead.Aaron Burns did everything he possibly could do in the fourth quarter to get the Aviators back in the game. He opened the scoring with a power play goal at the 12:58 mark to get them to a three goal deficit at 8-5. Ramirez added an insurance goal for the Artesians with nine minutes left before Burns scored goals with 1:17 and 53 seconds left but Burns and the Aviators ran out of time and fell to 0-8-0 this season with a 9-7 loss.Nate Salveson made his first start of the season in goal and made numerous outstanding saves to pick up the win. The Artesians’ Technical Director and head coach and former Milwaukee Wave goalkeeper had played the entire season in the field but returned to goal tonight and will likely be between the pipes when the Artesians travel to Tacoma to take on That Team From Up North in the Western Indoor Soccer League playoffs next Saturday night.The WISL playoffs kick off on Saturday, February 7th. The Artesians clinched the #4 seed last weekend and will take on the #1 seed Tacoma at 7:30 PM at the Tacoma Soccer Center. The winner will take on the winner of the #2 Bellingham/#3 Wenatchee game in the WISL Championship on February 14th or 15th.For ticket information for the WISL Playoffs and for more news and information, follow the Artesians on Twitter (@OlyTownFC), Facebook (Facebook.com/OlyTownFC) and Snapchat (username: OlyTownFC) or visit their website at http://www.olytownfc.com. Facebook0Tweet0Pin0
Facebook37Tweet0Pin0Submitted by Experience Olympia & BeyondNominations have flooded in from community members shining the light on local athletes and sports leaders in Thurston County. The 2018 Sports Awards, hosted by Thurston County’s Sports Commission, recognizes local athletes and game changers in our community.Seven award winners will be announced at the Sports Awards from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. on June 19 at Indian Summer Golf & Country Club. The awards are emceed by local broadcasting personality Jon Jensen and guests will hear a special keynote from Marco Azurdia, executive director of the Northwest Athletic Conference. Representing some of the Northwest’s premier community colleges, Azurdia is a driver in bringing tournaments to the region. His success as a college basketball coach still fuels coaching techniques for teams around the state.“Sports and sports tourism are important to our local economy. We want to honor the athletes, coaches and leaders that give it their all to the sport they love. Recognizing our local athletes and sports contributors at not only the high school level, but the collegiate and recreational levels captures the breadth of talent in our region and the important role sports plays in our destination,” said Shauna Stewart, chief experience officer at Experience Olympia & Beyond.2018 Sports AwardsMen’s Sport Star of the Year (College) and Women’s Sport Star of the Year (College)Nominees must be a female or male athlete enrolled full-time at any time during the 2017-2018 school year in a Thurston County college or a native to Thurston County. Nominees must also have participated for a minimum of one year in at least one collegiate sport, exemplify strong leadership, dedication and sportsmanship with good school behavior.Men’s Sport Star of the Year (College) Nominees:Nolan Black, South Puget Sound Community College, BasketballLuke Chavez, Saint Martin’s University, BasketballIssa Hassan, The Evergreen State College, SoccerAubrey (AJ) Hodges, South Puget Sound Community College, BasketballBrandon Madsen, Saint Martin’s University, SoccerCade Otton, University of Washington, FootballWesley (Wes) Reynolds, South Puget Sound Community College, BasketballBrad Wallace, Western Washington University, BasketballWomen’s Sports Star of the Year (College) Nominees:Brianna Attwood, Bellevue College, SoftballDeanna Avalos, Saint Martin’s University, Track and FieldCheyenne Baird, The Evergreen State College, VolleyballJamie Connally, Centralia College, Women’s BasketballHaley Harn, South Puget Sound Community College, Volleyball and BasketballBoy’s Sport Star of the Year (High School) and Girl’s Sport Star of the Year (High School)Nominees must be a female or male athlete enrolled full-time in a Thurston County high school. Nominees must have participated for a minimum of one year in at least one high school sport, exemplify strong leadership, dedication and sportsmanship with good school behavior.Boy’s Sport Star of the Year (High School) Nominees:Michael Barnes, Timberline High School, Track and FootballCato Cannizzo, River Ridge High School, Cross Country, Track and SwimmingIbi Ceesay, Pope John Paul II, Basketball and FootballAlex Wright, Olympia High School, SwimmingGirl’s Sport Star of the Year (High School) Nominees:Elianna Summers, Northwest Christian High School, Track and Cross CountryJadynne Thomas, River Ridge High School, SoccerContributor of the YearNominees must be passionate about the growth and success of sports in Thurston County and can include coaches, nonprofit organizations providing access to sports for individuals and/or large monetary donors to sports initiatives. Nominees must have demonstrated commitment to sports for a minimum of one year.Nominees:Eddie Gentry, North Thurston High School, Athletic DirectorAaron Landon, South Puget Sound Community College, Head Coach Men’s BasketballAndrew Mohl, Yelm Youth Tornados, Head Coach Football & CheerAlex Pribble, Saint Martin’s University, Head Coach Men’s BasketballSports Moment of the YearNominees can be a team or individual that has achieved national or local recognition for their sports moment during the 2017-2018 academic year. This moment would have taken place during a play in a single game or individual match or event for an individual or team. Nominees can include individuals with either inspiring stories, remarkable sports moments and or outstanding performances throughout the 2017-2018 season.Nominees:Luke Chavez, Saint Martin’s UniversitySaint Martin’s University Men’s Basketball TeamTimberline High School Boy’s Basketball TeamAlex Wright, Olympia High SchoolYelm High School Football TeamThurston County Sports LegendNominees must be an individual (over the age of 18) that was born or resided in Thurston County for a minimum of five years and must be passionate about the growth and success of sports in Thurston County. The nominee must have maintained and continue to maintain ties to Thurston County through philanthropic events and/or financial donations to support sports in the community. Ideally, nominees would have played either collegiate or professional sports or had a significant impact in the Thurston County sports community.Nominees:Jeff Carpenter, Olympia School DistrictJohn Kiley, Olympia High SchoolSid Otton, Tumwater High SchoolThe Thurston County Sports Commission, a division of Experience Olympia & Beyond, helps drive sports events to the region through direct outreach and assisting event organizers in finding venues, hotels and services. The Thurston County Sports Commission works in partnership with our local cities, schools and facilities to drive sports tourism to the region.
Facebook133Tweet0Pin0Submitted by Experience Olympia & BeyondBeautiful views and paved pathways are awaiting a group of passionate cyclists on Saturday, September 28 for the annual Reach the Beach Washington.The course will take riders from four different starting points to the finish line in Westport’s scenic oceanfront for a day of fun and celebration to benefit the American Lung Association. Cyclists will choose from rides beginning in Lacey (100 miles), Olympia (80 miles), Elma (44 miles) or Cosmopolis (25 miles).Reach the Beach is ideal for serious cyclists, recreational cyclists and families. New this year is a family cycling loop in Westport where those severely affected by lung disease can participate in the ride. Many cyclists are riding in honor or memory of those whose lives have been touched by lung disease, COPD and asthma.“Reach the Beach riders are passionate advocates for lung health and research. Each one of them has a story about why they ride. Many have a loved one affected by lung cancer, the number on cancer killer of men and women in the U.S.,” says Season Oltmann, Executive Director for the American Lung Association in Washington.To support riders, mechanics will be available at starting points and designated rest stops. The event also provides SAG vehicles, medical support, snacks, water, two full lunch stops and dinner at the finish line’s celebration.Olympia & Beyond Sports Commission has worked in partnership with the American Lung Association to make this event possible through sponsorship, helping to organize a training day and assisting in finding hotels for riders attending the event.“We are thrilled to welcome cyclists to the area for the Reach the Beach Washington event,” said Shauna Stewart, CEO of Experience Olympia & Beyond. “We encourage attendees to explore our numerous biking trails throughout the region, delicious breweries and restaurants before or after the event. The popular Yelm-Tenino trail is a great training trail and offers activities along the way.”REACH THE BEACHWhen: September 28, 2019Where: Starts in Lacey, WA and has numerous stops before ending in Westport, WARegistration: $55 registration fee. Riders must also fundraise or donate an additional $150 to rideRide Swag: Riders who raise $150 receive a long-sleeved Reach the Beach shirt. Riders who raise $300, will get an official Reach the Beach cycling jersey. Riders who raise $550 will receive official Reach the Beach bike shorts. Riders who raise $1,500 will receive a Reach the Beach Washington jacket.Accommodations: Stay minutes from the ride’s starting point in one of the top hotels in the region. The Holiday Inn Express is offering a $99 rate per night that includes complimentary breakfast and parking. The hotel also includes an indoor pool and fitness center to gear up or cool down from the ride. To book the rate, click here.For more information and to register for the event: www.reachthebeach.org
Lauren Barnett and Charles BladesLauren Anne Barnett and Charles Reese Blades were married on August 13 at Holy Cross Church, Rumson. Reverend Michael Manning performed the ceremony. Melissa Barnett, sister of the bride, and Jack Blades, cousin of the groom attended the couple. Additional family members in the wedding party included Ryan Barnett, Alex Barnett, Sarah and Patrick Lachanski, Leslie Blades and flower girl Anne Lachanski. The wedding reception was held at Sea Bright Beach Club.Lauren is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Barnett, Rumson.Charles is the son of Dr. and Mrs. Frederick Blades, Fair Haven.After honeymooning in Maine, the couple will reside in Fair Haven.
By John Burton FAIR HAVEN – Kevin Ryan sees his work as a struggle between the light and the dark, between despair and hope.He believes that, though it doesn’t always seem that way, the light eventually wins out.Fair Haven resident Kevin Ryan, president of Covenant House International, with some of the youths of the organization.“For kids who are despairing, who feel alone in the world, this light, it’s more than encouragement – it’s oxygen. It keeps them breathing,” he said. “And to see that every day and to be part of that is one of the greatest privileges of my life.”Ryan, who is president of Covenant House International, which helps homeless youths, is also the co-author of a recently published book detailing some of that organization’s work.“For kids who are despairing, who feel alone in the world, this light, it’s more than encouragement – it’s oxygen. It keeps them breathing,” he said. “And to see that every day and to be part of that is one of the greatest privileges of my life.”Ryan, who lives in Fair Haven with his wife and their six children, has been working with Covenant House for much of the last 20 years. He has been serving as the organization’s president for the past four years, overseeing the organization’s work in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua, helping approximately 57,000 youths a year.The organization has helped more than 1.2 million kids during its 40-year history.The work, the 45-year-old Ryan said, involves helping young people, usually between the ages of 15 and 20, who are on the streets “for whatever reasons.”Those assisted by Covenant House may have been discarded by families or have families that have imploded because of drugs. “It could be that the kids were abused or exploited so they leave home,” and find themselves out on their own where they face further exploitation and dangers, he said.With his work with Covenant House, Ryan has seen these young people as they face that darkness in their daily lives and it leaves Ryan wondering, “How do you go from crushing marginalization to hope?”That question is answered through the stories of many who come to Covenant House and is explored in his book.Almost Home: Helping Kids Move from Homelessness to Hope, co-written by former New York Times journalist Tina Kelley, tells six stories of kids who came through the door of the various Covenant House sites in the U.S. and Canada, and those who helped them move on to better lives.Since its publication in August the book has been listed on the bestseller lists of the Washington Post, Newsday and Publisher’s Weekly.Ryan noted recently that Almost Home was named to J.P. Morgan Holiday Reading List, which offers works with inspiring stories.One of the stories in the book tells of a teenage girl trying to make her way through Katrina-ravaged New Orleans and a woman, a cook for the local Covenant House operation, “who helps this teenager cross the bridge from poverty to opportunity,” Ryan said.“We wanted for people to read these stories and say, ‘I really want to do something about this,’ ” to coach, to mentor, to volunteer, to contribute, he said.The book offers recommendations on how readers can get involved.Through the work of his friends and acquaintances in the Two River area, and the efforts of students at Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School, Covenant House has been able to open its most recent facility in Asbury Park. The organization, which operates mostly on private donations, opened its door there in a converted storefront on Dewitt Avenue about a year ago.The darkness Ryan sees can be pervasive. He has seen almost all who come seeking help share a common trait of blaming themselves for their situation.“They thought they had done something wrong and they wanted everything to be all right,” he said.There was a time some years ago when he felt he wasn’t making enough of a difference through his work, he conceded. Then one day, he entered a restaurant and ran into a young woman, Vinnie, who he helped years ago escape from a terrible situation. Her aunt had sold her into indentured servitude after Vinnie was orphaned at a young age. Vinnie faced repeated sexual abuse and wound up living in the Port Authority bus station in Manhattan where police discovered her and stepped in.When Ryan met up with her again, she was working as a waitress and attending school in the evenings studying to be a nurse. She was in a healthy, loving relationship with a man and was planning to marry.That encounter sparked in him a realization. “I thought, how in the world does a kid go from having their childhood taken away from them and repeatedly victimized and broken down, how do you go from there to the light?”The answer became clear.“It is the light that shines on the darkness every time one of these kids walks in the front door for the first time because there are these people all across Covenant House who are the light for these kids,” he said.Ryan has also worked for the United Nations and was first commissioner of the state Department of Children and Families.He and Kelley will be collaborating on another book that will document the trafficking of children in Latin America.
By John BurtonWALL – For the veterans who are working to restore a Vietnam–era combat helicopter, the experience is bringing back strong emotions and memories.Carl Burns, veteran helicopter pilot and volunteer on the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation’s Huey project, holds the tail section cover, signed by all the volunteers, that will be part of the Huey when it is installed next May at thefoundation’s Vietnam Era Museum and Educational Center in Holmdel.“You’re talking about a pretty intense part of my life,” said Ken Gurbisz, a former U.S. Army warrant officer who flew a similar helicopter in-country more than 40 years ago.Gurbisz was on hand Monday in a hangar with about 15 other veterans at Monmouth Executive Airport, Highway 34.The veterans, mostly from the Vietnam War – two served in Afghanistan – are working to restore a 1964 Bell UH-1D Iroquois helicopter, which is usually referred to as a “Huey.”They have been working since winter to put back into reasonable shape the helicopter that for them – and probably countless others – holds emotional significance.The type of helicopter is “not only a physical symbol of the Vietnam War,” said volunteer Carl Burns, but it is also “an emotional symbol.“The sights and the smells” of the craft have brought back all sorts of thoughts and feelings for those working on it, acknowledged Burns, a Manalapan resident who flew one as an Army captain in 1966-67.The volunteers “all had tears in our eyes,” when they first saw it, even though it was nothing but a hollowed shell at the time, Gurbisz said.A large group of Army veterans are volunteering their time to restore a deactivated Hueyhelicopter that served two tours in Vietnam. Sarah Hagarty (front) is the program director for the memorial foundation.In January, the New Jersey National Guard offered the helicopter to the New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation for its permanent display at the foundation’s Vietnam Era Museum and Educational Center, located on the grounds of PNC Arts Center, Holmdel.The craft, which served two tours of duty in Vietnam, first from October 1966 through September 1967 when it was assigned to the 116th Assault Helicopter Company and then from November 1968 to February 1970 with the 25th Infantry Division. While with the 25th, it was located at Cu Chi, which was 30 miles northwest of Saigon, said Burns, who also served in that area with the 25th during his tour.The helicopter was seriously deteriorated.“You have to remember it sat in a field for 20 years,” at Fort Dix, Gurbisz said. “We had many bird’s nests and hornet’s nests to get rid of.”The volunteers all have connections to this style of aircraft. That “has been great, because they know how to work on them or know how to fly them,” said Sarah Hagarty, program director for the memorial foundation.So far the group, which meets every week at the airport hangar to work on the project, has spent a collective 1,500 hours to restore it, Hagarty said.Volunteers restoring a 1964 Bell UH-1D Iroquois helicopter, commonly known as a Huey, clean it in a hangar at Monmouth Executive Airport.The project began with removing the Desert Storm-era tan camouflage, to restore it to its original olive drab exterior. “That was a lot of sanding,” Gurbisz said. Afterward, the work has been cleaning and refurbishing to make the interior presentable for what will be an authentic, fixed display for visitors, especially for the school-age children, who visit the memorial and museum.The group has been collecting spare parts from wherever it can get them, Hagarty and Gurbisz said.It looks as though there will be enough parts to sufficiently restore the craft’s cockpit to allow visitors to sit in it. The volunteers hope to be able to raise enough money to restore it and have it ready for an unveiling on May 7, 2014, which is the state Vietnam Veterans Remembrance Day. The group also hopes to also be able to afford to install a simulator in the cockpit to give visitors a realistic appreciation of what it was like to fly in such an aircraft.“It’s a pretty tall order,” Hagarty said about the work that needs to be done.While the project has received some support with organizations and individuals contributing funds and parts, the overall project will cost between $150,000-$200,000, according to Hagarty.This week the museum is beginning its KickStarter campaign to assist in fundraising efforts for the project’s completion.For these guys – the group of volunteers is all male – this is an important project in terms of the nation’s history and their own.“When I first saw this, it was a ton of flashbacks,” Gurbisz said. “I was one of those 20-year-old warrant officers” assigned to Vietnam’s Central Highlands region, flying Hueys on rescue and recovery missions.Burns, who authored the memoir Centaurs in Vietnam: Untold Stories of the First Year, remembered how he was flying a Huey during his tour of Vietnam when he, his crew and the craft started taking on enemy fire.“They were in their spider holes firing – ping, ping, ping,” went the shots as it hit the helicopter shell, Burns said, noting his crew was operating the helicopter’s machine guns, strafing the area. Enemy fire then caught the tail rudder and the craft began twisting, eventually crashing in a rice paddy. Thankfully, he and the four-member crew all survived, he said.There were about 3,000 of these helicopters at any given time operating in Vietnam, playing a vital role in that conflict, Gurbisz said. There were a total of roughly 14,000 in use over the course of the war of which about 6,000 didn’t make it out, Burns said.“I left one there,” he said.Young visitors to the museum will “get a sense of the war,” and its significance from the site’s multimedia presentations and existing displays. “But, they don’t really understand the role of the helicopter, the magnitude of it,” Gurbisz. “It brought guys in. It carried them out. It brought supplies” and transported the wounded during its active combat role, Burns said. “It brought them beer,” he said with a slight smile.“It was part of you,” for that time in their lives, Burns said.For more information about the project, visit www.njvvmf.org.
The machines will accept payment by coins, credit and debit cards, a mobile app and near-field communication through mobile devices, part of a long overdue upgrade to replace about 445 meters that are half a century old, officials said. These meters have been used in other parts of the state and the country, he said, and the technology represents a “very visible change.” RED BANK – The days of searching for quarters or having to make change on the fly to pay for on-street parking in Red Bank are about to end when new “smart” parking meters debut in the borough next year. “I mean it’s almost like first-generation meter technology,” borough administrator Ziad A. Shehady said of what is on the streets now. “The meters are all very old.” The meters, made by Mackay Meters, also will have solar panels to charge the batteries that operate the machines. The panel sits at the top of the meter. “The batteries inside of it are fully charged all the time,” Shehady said. Among other features, the new meters will be able to communicate to officials when the machines are broken. Also, the borough can electronically put messages on the meters, such as free holiday parking. “I think it’s long overdue for our parking system,” said Erik Yngstrom, council president and also chairman of the governing body’s parking committee. “It’s very antiquated just to have coin-operated machines. It’s hard on our employees to collect. And it’s hard on our customers that are coming into Red Bank for these businesses to put coins into the meters for street parking.” Toward the end of November, the borough council will introduce a bond ordinance to pay for the hardware and other parking-related work. The new equipment is estimated to cost around $225,000. In all, the borough is looking to acquire about 57 single-space meters and 194 dual-space meters, or meters that can handle two parking spots at once, he said. The dual-space meter will let users to indicate what space they are using, left or right, and pay accordingly. One borough official said he thought installing smart meters was something Red Bank needed to do to help residents and downtown businesses. The borough will install the smart meters in late winter or early spring of next year, Shehady said. As for parking rates, Yngstrom said they will stay the same for the “foreseeable future.” The current cost for street meters is $1.50 per hour. By Philip Sean Curran The MKBeacon Meter is a wireless smart meter that can accept coins, credit cards, non-PIN debit cards, smart cards, contactless credit cards and mobile payments. It uses solar power.Photo by Philip Sean Curran A parking study, done for the borough and RiverCenter, the nonprofit that runs the downtown Special Improvement District, called for having new meters in town. The 81-page report, released in January, suggested that step among others, including hiring a full-time parking czar responsible for making all parking decisions in the borough. According to RiverCenter executive director James Scavone, the smart meters will be more convenient for customers and give the borough “a lot of information so that we can better manage the parking.” “So I do think that our customers and people who visit Red Bank will appreciate the new meters,” he said. Shehady echoed the sentiment about the meters providing more information. “Because it’s a smart meter, it’s going to give us data to make better informed decisions from a parking utility perspective, both in terms of rates, in terms of hours, in terms of turnover, in terms of inventory, demand, all of this,” he said. “Anything that affects the parking utility’s operations is going to be better informed by a meter like this.” “The meter is a new meter, it’s not your traditional-looking meter,” he said. “As with anything, there’s a learning curve with change.”
By Bruce Fuhr,The Nelson Daily SportsThe Nelson Leafs appeared to have solved that dreaded problem scoring.Now the two-time Kootenay International Junior Hockey League finalist has added some grit in front of the net, which could make finding goals even easier.Leaf coach and GM Chris Shaw announced Thursday the team is getting a bigger presence in front of the net after the team acquired 6’2”, 190-pound Evan Moir from the Calgary Canucks of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.The acquisition of Moir comes on the same weekend that Shaw is getting back 6’2”, 200-pound winger Cody Abbey back from a shoulder injury.“Evan is a power forward that’s a good fast skater who can carry the puck and has a good physical presence on the ice,” Shaw told The Nelson Daily Thursday. “And now that we have Cody Abbey back also, it should make a big difference for us.”The on-again, off-again Leafs appear to be back on after racking up a pair of wins. The first win was not totally unexpected against Grand Forks. However, Sunday’s win in Spokane over the red hot Braves was a victory that could provide the Leafs with some much-needed confidence as the squad attempts to climb the Murdoch Division standings.“We got back to the basics in practice and put in some hard work,” Shaw explained. “I’ve always been a believer you play the way you practice so we put our hard hats on, did some dryland and it paid off for us.”The dedication to detail combined with a few changes on the power play allowed the Leafs to snap out of a 1-for-31 slump with the man advantage.“We changed some things as far as entering the opposition zone differently,” Shaw said. “Once in the zone the guys were really passing the puck around and had some good finishing.”The Leafs hope to extend the streak a few more games than two when the club plays host to Kimberley Dynamiters Saturday at 7 p.m. in the NDCC Arena.Sunday it’s off to Spokane once again for an afternoon contest against the Braves.LEAF NOTES: Kyle Alexander’s stay in Nelson was brief after Shaw sent the former Flin Flon defenceman to Helena, Mont. of the Northern Pacific Junior Hockey League for future considerations. Alexander played only two games in a Leaf jersey . . . Two Leaf players, forward Tanner Burns and Colton Malmsten, will see action Friday for the Trail Smoke Eaters of the BCHL. The Smokies host the Victoria Grizzlies in Trail. Both players will return to the Leafs for the two weekend games.sports@thenelsondaily.com
Team B.C. lost out in its bid to play in the medal round after Manitoba scored a 2-1 win during the final round robin game in Group A for both teams Friday at the National Women’s Under-18 Championship in Saguenay, Que.Team Manitoba scored two early goals, then held off a late charge by Team B.C. to post the victory. Manitoba has lost two previous games to Alberta and Ontario Red while B.C. was 1-1 entering the game.Team B.C. now plays for fifth spot Saturday against Ontario Blue. Playing for Team B.C. is Nelson’s Aimee DiBella, Kootenay Ice netminder Kimberley Newell, from Burnaby, and Cranbrook’s Daley Oddy.Game time is 10 a.m. PDT.In earlier coverage:No miracles for Team B.C. against Ontario Red, lose 4-1 Team B.C. could not duplicate the result from opening day against Ontario Red Ontario Red scored three second-period goals en route to a 4-1 win over Team B.C. in Group A action Thursday.Kristyn Capizzano, Victoria Pittens and Sarah Nurse scored during the first 12 minutes of the frame to give Ontario Red all the goals it would need on Team B.C. and Kootenay Ice netminder, Kimberley Newell.Victoria Pittens had give the defending gold medal winners a 1-0 lead after 20 minutes.Stephanie Schaupmeyer (Kelowna) scored the only goal for Team B.C. during a 5-on-3 in the third period.Team B.C. opened the tournament by shocking Alberta 2-1 behind a goal by Cranbrook Daley Oddy.The other local face on Team B.C. is Nelson native Aimee DiBella. The shutdown rearguard was held off the score sheet.Team B.C. returns to action Friday at 7 a.m. PDT against Manitoba.The top two teams in each of the two groups advances to the playoff round Saturday with the two semi final winners meeting for the gold medal Sunday.Catch all the action live at www.hockeycanada.fasthockey.com