Blues off to fast start at Midget International tourney

The host team got off to an impressive start on Boxing Day at the 31st Annual Richmond International Midget Tournament.

Tony Yang and Mark Pearlman each had a goal and three assists to lead the Richmond Blues to an 8-2 victory over the North Shore Winter Club at Minoru Arena in a round-robin battle of Pacific Coast tier one teams. Jordan Cornier added two goals and one helper as the hosts were in control from the outset, opening up a 3-0 lead after one period and taking a commanding 6-1 advantage into the third.

Shawn Hanley and Alex Whitwham had the other Richmond goals, while Chris Clute got the win in net.

The Blues were scheduled to meet the Westside Warriors last night and will continue roundrobin action today at 5: 30 p.m. against the Alaska U18AA Wolves at Minoru Arena. They conclude play on Thursday (5 p.m.) against the Santa Clara Blackhawks at Richmond Ice Centre's Forum rink.

The locals should be a serious threat to be the first Richmond Minor team to win a division title since 1996. Over half the roster is back from last year's squad which reached the semi-finals. The Blues currently sit with a solid 6-3-1 record in the league play and recently captured a tournament in Arizona.

In other AAA Division action, a hat trick from Trevor Okino powered the Seafair Islanders to a 5-2 upset victory over the Abbotsford Hawks. The Islanders entered the tournament sporting a 3-6-1 record in tier two league play while Abbotsford was 5-3-2 in tier one.

Bryan Mancini had the other Seafair goals, while Matthew Boroditsky and Ryan Kidd each had two assists.

Meanwhile, it wasn't a great start for one of last year's finalists.

The Richmond A2 Blues surrendered four second period goals and never could recover in a 7-2 loss to the Semiahmoo Ravens.

They looked to bounced back yesterday with an afternoon date with the Portland Junior Winterhawks.

This year's tournament features 58 teams in total doing battling in three different divisions - Major, AAA and AA/B. Quarter and semi final games are scheduled for Friday while all three championship games will take place at Minoru Arena on Saturday starting at 8: 30 a.m. (AA/B) and continuing at 11: 15 a.m. (AAA) and 2 p.m. (Major).

Icing...

One of the tournament's added features is a B.C. Hockey League game on Thursday night (7 p.m.) at Minoru Arena between the Cowichan Valley Capitals and Surrey Eagles. The teams currently sit first and second respectably in the BCHL's Coastal Division with the Capitals holding a three-point lead. The Capitals line-up includes former Richmond Sockeye Troy Paterson who is in his second full season with the club.