Both Academy teams participated in a different Ice Breaker Tournament this past weekend with good result, lots of learning, and some program building results.

U18s

Our U18s headed to Kelowna to compete in the Okanagan Rockets Ice Breaker Showcase - this showcase featured all CSSHL vs BCMML matchups.  The U18s played the Vancouver NW Giants for the first time in history.  The BWC U18 team is only in it's 3rd year as program and was very much looking forward to this game.  The Giants got out to a early 2-0 lead, BWC did not give up and battled back and at most times dominated the rest of the game. Angus Crookshank, Brady Lynn, and Aidan Bar-Lev-Wise scored winner for a huge 3-2 win.  The final shots being 47 to 29 in favor of BWC, Nico Lopes with the win in net. A huge win for the program and which features 13 players who played on the BWC E15 team.

"It was great to see the team gel together so quickly, going 3-1 in our first showcase. Winning our 1st game against the NW Giants 3-2 after being down 2-0 in the 2nd proves that our team is determined and will never give up." said Justin Lee, BWC assistant captain.

BWC then lost 3-1 to the Valley West Hawks, but finished the showcase strong with a 2-0 win over the Thompson Blazers.  Their final matchup was against the always strong Cariboo Cougars.  The Cougars were rolling with big wins over OHA White, PCHA, and CDA Hockey Academy.  BWC played a complete game shutting the Cougars out 2-0 - Bradley Cooper with the shutout.  The Showcase finished with 10 wins for CSSHL teams, 10 wins for BCMML teams, and 3 ties.

"It was a great first step for us. Its a journey, we want to be playing our best in March but we like how the boys played for each other. We were impressed with their pace, their intensity,but more importantly their support for one another. The key is going to be that we continue to be as enthusiastic about the success of others as we are about our own. I like where we're at, it gives us a great foundation to build on." said  U18 Head Coach, Maco Balkovec

Note: BWC Captain Brady Chin was not in the lineup for any games with an ankle injury.

The U18s begin the CSSHL season on Saturday against Yale 2:30pm at Abbotsford Centre.

E15s

The E15s hosted their own 8 team tournament for the 3rd year in a row.  

The E15s began the season with city rival Delta Hockey Academy.  Delta controlled most of the game winning 3 - 1.  Next up the E15s played Pacific Coast Hockey Academy - BWC took control early winning 4 - 1.

Saturday was a border battle taking on two teams from Washington state.  BWC's Mattias Dal Monte scored with 1 minute remaining in the 3rd to draw 2 -2 with Seattle Sno-King 16U.  Later Saturday BWC took on the Everett Jr Silvertips 16U squad - BWC dominated winning 5 - 2 and out shooting Everett 65 to 15.

That placed BWC into the Bronze Medal game against their other crosstown rival Yale Hockey Academy. Always a classic, this one lived up to the hype with the player's getting their first taste of the rivalry's intensity.  BWC outshot Yale 45 to 25 but it meant little as Yale finished with a 3 - 0 victory.

"The Ice breaker was good building for our team and we will learn from our lack of success" said Gianni Fairbrother, E15 defenceman and Everett Silvertips draft pick.

BWC finished with a 2-2-1 record and lots of lessons learned.

"The Ice Breaker is great because you learn so much about your player's in those 5 games." said Leland Mack, E15 Head Coach

"Now it's time to get to work and further build our identity, I really like the potential for this team and I am really excited to see where we can be at by March." said Mack

The E15s begin the CSSHL season on Saturday against Yale 12:00pm at Abbotsford Centre.  With the U18s playing right after in an all BWC/Yale double header

For rosters, standings, and scores from the E15 Ice Breaker Tournament click the link below:
http://www.burnabywinterclub.com/icebreaker2015