U15 Canadians Drop Home-and-Home Series vs. First-Place Thunderbirds

The U15 AAA Greater Vancouver Canadians dropped both games of their home-and-home series against the first-place Fraser Valley Thunderbirds in their final BCEHL action before the Christmas break, losing 5-1 and 4-0 over the weekend (Dec. 20-21). 

Although the Canadians are 0-18-0-1 through 19 games, they fought valiantly in the two games against the Thunderbirds, who are 18-2-0-0. 

In Saturday’s contest at Abbotsford Summit Centre, Misha Shmitsman scored the lone goal for GVC, with Yugo Imoto and affilate player Marcus Leung picking up the assists. AJ Kwok got the start in goal for the Canadians. 

On Sunday at the Richmond Oval, Ryder Cook delivered an outstanding effort in goal, but the Canadians could not score in the 4-0 defeat. Cook made 50 saves in the game, including 24 in the first period alone, as GVC was outshot 54-20. 

Leung, a forward, was one of three affiliate players to suit up for GVC over the weekend. The others were fellow forward Ryder Starchuk and blueliner Lucas Soong. All three affiliates played regular shifts.

At the Christmas break, Jack Mah Ming and Kayvon Salamatian remain tied for the lead with nine points each, with Ming's six goals tops on the club and Salamatian second with five. Meanwhile, Magnus King and Carter DeWolff are tied for the team lead with five assists apiece, and DeWolff also has eight points on the year to lead all GVC defensemen. 

After the break, the Canadians have 11 more games left in the regular season, including three more at the Richmond Oval. Next up, they take on the U15 Valley West Giants in a home-and-home series on Jan. 10-11. The first game is at 2:30 p.m. at the Richmond Oval, and the second game is scheduled for 3:45 p.m. at the North Surrey Sport & Ice Complex.