The Ridge Meadows Flames will begin play in the Mowat Cup tonight (April 18).
The BC Junior A championship is being held in Kimberly, a four-team tourney played between the host Dynamiters and the three tier two Junior A league champions from the Pacific Junior Hockey League (The Flames), the Vancouver Island Junior Hockey League (Saanich Predators) and the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (Revelstoke Grizzlies).
The Flames begin action at 6 p.m. Pacific Time when they take on the Dynamiters. The hosts had a good season in the KIJHL, putting up a record of 29 wins, 13 losses and two overtime losses, which placed them eighth in the league.
It will be hostile territory, but Flames GM Derek Bedard said he recently had to order a couple of boxes of Flames apparel for supporters to wear at the tournament.
“We’re going to have a pretty good contingent of fans going up there,” Bedard predicted.
Then they will take on the Grizzlies at noon on Friday, and the Predators on Saturday at noon.
Each team will play for a medal on Sunday, with the top two teams meeting at 3 p.m., and the bronze game going at 9 a.m.
The Flames left on the road trip on Tuesday morning, boarding a bus at Planet Ice. They had a practice on Wednesday, and have been enjoying team meals, indoor golf, and a fresh snowfall this morning.
“It’s our first time in this event,” said Bedard. “We’ve had five practices (since the league championship), and we’re chomping at the bit.”
All of the games will be broadcast live on flohockey.tv. Kimberly is in the Mountain time zone shared with Alberta, an hour ahead of Pacific time.
The Flames beat the Richmond Sockeyes in game seven of the Stonehouse Cup finals to win their first league championship since the 1997-1998 season.
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