Northstars bring home Silver in Senior AA/A Provincials

Northstars linemates Greg Doll- #15, Devan Herder- #17, and Dayne Sorensen-#19, nicknamed the McFly line, picked up six goals and nine assists in the provincial tournament on the weekend.

The Daysland Northstars, 2013/14 Champions of the Battle River Hockey League, earned a spot in the AA/A Provincial tournament in Morinville this past weekend, with eight other teams participating from all corners of the province.

The Northstars met the Dewberry Mustangs from the Sask/Alta League in game one of tournament play on Friday.

The Stars outshot the Mustangs 41-23 and won 8-5, to advance to the semi-finals.

Colin Zimmer scored a hat trick and picked up an assist for four points and Player of the Game. Justin Trautman and Dayne Sorensen each picked up four points, too.

The semi-finals took place on Saturday, where the Stars came up against the Nanton Palominos of the Ranchland Hockey League.

Devan Herder scored for the Stars to which the Palominos answered to make it a 1-1 tie after the first.
The Northstars added a pair of goals in the next two periods to make it a 5-1 final.

Scoring for the Stars were Colin Zimmer with a pair, and Tanner Erickson and Greg Doll with singles.
Daysland Goalie Andy Sinclair earned the Player of the Game award.

With the win, the team earned a spot in the AA final on Sunday, March 30.

The Okotoks Drillers of the AAA Chinook Hockey League were eligible to play in the Senior AA/A tournament.

Hockey Alberta’s rule is that teams must play one year of AA Provincials before they can enter the Allan Cup play-downs, or the AAA provincials.

The two teams faced off in the final with the Drillers getting a 4-1 win.

The Northstars out shot the Drillers but were unable to get any lucky bounces.

The last minute of the game saw six players involved in fights.

Daysland Northstars forward Dayne Sorensen carries the puck in the AA Provincial final in Morinville on Sunday, March 30.

Dean Petiot scored the lone goal for the Stars assisted by Greg Doll and Devan Herder. Petiot was also named Player of the Game for Daysland.

The Daysland North-stars came away with Silver medals and next year will set their sights on gold. It was a hard-fought season for the team who finished third in the BRHL and battled to their fourth straight title.

Jae Robbins,
Staff Reporter