Pinedale Midgets take Third at State
Ice hockey news
by Nan Stinson
March 6, 2015
The Pinedale Glaciers High School Midget Hockey team took 3rd place in the Wyoming Amateur Hockey League Division B State Tournament which was held in Rock Springs on February 27, 28, and March 1, 2015.
Out of nine teams in the Division, Pinedale went into the tournament 5th in standings having won 9 of 16 games with one tie. Pinedale High School seniors Brenden Lloyd, Caden Wallace, Kianna Mourer, and goalie Lane Caldwell (Rock Springs HS) were recognized in the opening ceremony Friday night.
The Glaciers faced off against the Sheridan Hawks in their first game of the tournament for a victory of 6 to 5 in overtime. Pinedale lost their early season games against the Hawks with a five point spread in both, which made this win all the sweeter. Coach Braun said "The team had an outstanding tournament. Getting to play Sheridan in our first game was the highlight of the weekend. We hadn’t beaten them in two years and for the team to come out with the poise, attitude, and energy they had, it was great to see." Sheridan scored the only goal in the first period with Pinedale’s Jeff Connors netting the first goal in the second period. Glaciers Brenden Lloyd, Chase Grove and Jacob Mitchell also scored in the second period with assists from Grove, Mitchell, and Connors. Third period Grove scored unassisted to tie up the game leading to a five minute sudden death overtime. "They played a nice defensive structure throughout the 3rd period when the game was tied and kept their composure. Then to win the game in overtime with the goal scored by Cody Crumb and the ‘crash the net’ mentality of Grove and Mitchell was wonderful" said Braun. Crumb scored the winning goal just 24 seconds into overtime. Coaches from the opposing teams voted Crumb as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) for the game.
Saturday morning Pinedale went up against number one seeded Riverton River Rats. The Glaciers lost to the undefeated team 0 to 8. Goalies Lane Caldwell and John Mitchell blocked 67 shots on goal. Team Captain, Brenden Lloyd, received the MVP award for the game.
Sunday morning brought victory again for Glaciers as they came out on top of the Douglas Ice Cats 7 to 3. "The kids really seemed to enjoy this game since a lot of the pressure was off. They worked as a team and had fun just playing hockey" said one parent. Goalie Lane Caldwell was awarded MVP.
"Captain Brenden Lloyd’s leadership was outstanding throughout the tournament as well as the entire season and the team roles played by everyone, including the new players and goalies, was invaluable. It was a great season!" added Braun.
The 2014-2015 Pinedale Glacier Midgets are #00 Abigail Ennis, #1 Carson Stinson, #5 Jaydon Lewis, #7 Caden Wallace, #9 Jacob Mitchell, #11 Hannah Mivsheck, # 12 Jeff Connors, #20 Brenden Lloyd, #21 Chase Grove, #33 Cody Crumb, #36 Caleb Rainey, #88 Cole Andersen, #96 Kianna Mourer, and goalies #29 Lane Caldwell, #28 John Mitchell, Head Coach Larry Braun, Assistant Coaches Nate Lloyd, and Alvin Mitchell, and Manager Andrea Ennis.
Photos courtesy Nan Stinson
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