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Old Timers tournament productive for local hockey squads

Local teams won all the division titles during the Cariboo Old Cats Old Timers Hockey tourney
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Red Rock goalie Les Hansom stretches for a save in a Cariboo Old Cats Old Timers Hockey Tournament game with the VO Kings at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre

Local teams made a clean sweep of the 2012 Cariboo Old Cats Old Timers Hockey Tournament at the South Cariboo Rec. Centre, Jan. 20-22.

The 10-team tourney featured three divisions, including 35 years and over and two divisions of 45 years and over.

Winner of the 35-plus division was the Old Stars from 100 Mile House that took the Valley Blues from Abbotsford, 4-3 in the division final on Sunday.

The 45-plus division 1 final victory went to another 100 Mile Old Stars squad that beat the VO Kings, a mix of local players and some from Kamloops, Terrace and other locations who get together each year for this tournament. The score from that game was not available.

The tournament ended with a fast-paced 45-plus division 2 final with 100 Mile Old Cats and Williams Lake battling for the honours.

The Cats established an early lead and managed to keep it despite constant pressure from Williams Lake.

Matt Zailo proved to be a wall in the Cats net, keeping Williams Lake players scoreless until mid-game when they finally found their way past him for their only goal of the game. Cats Mike Davidson scored a hat trick, including an empty netter to help bring his team to a 4-1 win.

Old Cat Keith Jackson says it was probably the best game of the tournament.

"Both teams were happy with the outcome. It was fast and clean and a good game to finish the tournament with. Our goal tending made the difference; otherwise, we were evenly matched."

Molson Canadian was the major tournament sponsor and division winners were given an assortment of Molson merchandise as prizes.

Jackson says there were no injuries during the weekend apart from the usual Monday morning aches and pains.