U18 Canadians Drop Both Games vs. Thunderbirds

The U18 AAA Greater Vancouver Canadians fought hard against the Fraser Valley Thunderbirds in their home-and-home series over the weekend, but they came up short in both games, losing 5-3 and 4-2.

On Saturday at the Richmond Oval, the Canadians got goals from Kaden Meyer, John Bethell, and A.J. Abell, but that wasn’t enough as the Thunderbirds scored twice in the second period on 3-on-1 breaks—including a short-handed tally with 33 seconds left in the frame. Alan Peregrym made 21 saves for the Canadians. 

On Sunday night at the Abbotsford Centre, Neven Heer and Hunter Vye Weedon scored for GVC as the two teams were tied 2-2 after two periods. But the Thunderbirds broke the tie with 2:08 left in regulation, and then got the insurance marker with 17 seconds remaining, closing out the series sweep with a 4-2 triumph. Liam Leslie played well in the GVC nets despite the loss. 

Through four games, the U18 Canadians are 1-3-0, with blueliner Kaden Meyer leading the club with four assists and five points. Ten different players are tied for the team lead with one goal apiece, and forwards Helius Guan and Nishaan Gill each has three assists.  

Next up for the sixth-place U18 Canadians, a weekend series against the winless U18 Thompson Blazers (0-6-0) in Kamloops on Oct. 12-13. Both games will be played at the McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre—with Saturday’s at 6:45 p.m. and Sunday’s rematch at 9:30 a.m.—can be seen on playfullscreen.com.