The U18 Lake Country Timberwolves defeated the Calgary Northstars 3-0 Sunday afternoon. (paNOW/Teena Monteleone)

By paNOW Staff

U18 AA Hockey

PA Timberwolves win Ron Gunville Memorial Tournament

Nov 10, 2024 | 9:37 PM

After coming up short in last year’s gold medal final, the Lake Country Timberwolves fought for redemption and won this year, hoisting the trophy as winners of the 4^th annual Ron Gunville Memorial Tournament in Prince Albert.

The U18 AA squad met with the Calgary Northstars in the Sunday afternoon finale. Goaltender Wyatt Nelson had the shutout in the 3-0 victory.

Calgary was the only team the T-wolves lost to in round robin action. Head coach Derek Simonson said with the addition of teams from Regina, Humboldt and Wainwright, Alta. it was a competitive tournament.

“Every team was in it up until noon today. We didn’t know who we were playing, so that goes to the organizers and the teams that played this weekend…it was very, very competitive and we knew it was going to be tough, but we played a complete team game today,” said Simonson. “Very responsible in our own end – that was a focal point for us, cause we know our boys can score when given the opportunity. You know, we play fast and we’re aggressive and we put all those things together today.”

Timberwolves captain Gareg Painter made the tournament ‘All Star Team.’ The offensive defenceman finished with four goals and two assists but credited the entire team for their efforts.

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“You know, we have a couple first year guys who stepped up and they’ve all worked hard so far this year. Everybody was going. Not one guy left it on the bench and the team effort came out with a win,” said Painter.

Joining Painter on the tournament ‘All Star Team’ was assistant captain Ryan Pidborochynski who led the team and the tournament in scoring with two goals and five assists.

“Two kids that don’t need any coaching at all and are very deserving of that,” said Simonson. “I thought Gareg was probably one of the best players in the tournament I would say, and yeah, just heart and soul and happy for them both to be selected.

The Lake Country Timberwolves hoist the Ron Gunville Memorial Tournament trophy. (paNOW/Teena Monteleone)

The first goal of the game happened just a few minutes into the second period when Tye Semenchuk was able to bury the puck after a picture-perfect pass from Nate Jensen who was behind the net. Before the end of the second, first year player Carter Martin sniped a rocket past the Calgary goalie. Cruz Stacey and Sasha Zarichnyy got the assists. Then in the third period, Trey Mudry solidified the win with a bullet to the back of the net in a tic-tac-toe power play goal assisted by Cohen Toporowski and Jack Simonson.

Painter said the team will use the momentum to carry them into the next part of their regular season.

“We got a busy schedule coming up before Christmas here and it’s nice to get a big win like this to set us up for a few tough games ahead. We got top teams in the league that we’re going up against and it’s a little confidence booster,” said Painter.

“I think we’re ready to keep going here. A couple days off and then right back to work.”

The Timberwolves are next in action on Wednesday when they visit the Saskatoon Sabrecats.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com