By John DeCoste
jdecoste@kingscountynews.ca
West Kings went unbeaten - three wins and a tie - to capture gold at the Peter Connell Memorial girls’ hockey tournament Dec. 27 and 28 in Berwick. The Wolverines edged Horton 3-2 in the tournament final.
Central Kings hosted the seven-team tournament, which is held annually in memory of Peter Connell, a former CK coach and long-time advocate of female hockey in the Valley.
His daughter Amanda Connell took part in a ceremonial faceoff prior to the opening game of the tournament between Central Kings and West Kings.
On the ice, the Wolverines won two of their three round-robin games, topping CK 10-2 and NKEC 5-1 and playing to a 1-1 draw with Avon View to finish atop the A Division.
Horton emerged as the top team in the B Division, winning all three of its round robin games, 2-1 over Avon View, 2-0 over Middleton and 3-1 over Barrington to join the Titans in the championship game in which West Kings prevailed 3-2.
In an unbalanced schedule, which saw some teams asked to play an extra game after Park View had to pull out prior to the start of the tournament, West Kings finished at 2-0-1, Central Kings at 1-1-1, Avon View at 1-2-1 and NKEC at 0-4.
In the B Division, Horton went 3-0, Middleton 2-1 and Barrington 0-2-1.
In lieu of medals, the tournament organizers made a donation in Peter Connell’s name to the KidSport fund on behalf of all the participants, which was accepted by Amanda Connell.
Dec. 28 results
West Kings 5 - Northeast Kings 1
Middleton 4 – Northeast Kings 0
Central Kings 4 - Avon View 0
Horton 3 - Barrington 1
Dec. 27 results
West Kings 10 – Central Kings 2
Horton 2 – Avon View 1
Avon View 4 – Northeast Kings 0
Middleton 7 – Barrington 1
West Kings 1 - Avon View 1
Central Kings 2 Barrington 2
Central Kings 5 – Northeast Kings 1
Horton 2 – Middleton 0
