Lethbridge, Alta. – Team Northeast defeated Team South 5-3 on Sunday at the Nicholas Sheran Arena in Lethbridge to capture the 2012 Alberta Cup.
Team South opened the scoring at the 4:19 mark in the 1st period when Ryan Stronski (Claresholm, Alta.) scored a powerplay marker giving the host squad a 1-0 advantage. After firing 12 shots on net the in 1st period and getting held scoreless, Team Northeast finally found the back of the net 3:56 into the 2nd period with a snipe by Curtis Miske (Beaumont, Alta.). This goal provided the momentum the Northeast needed as they put in two more goals before the end of the period courtesy of Jesse Zaharichuk (Sherwood Park, Alta.) and Andrew Koep (Lloydminster, Alta.). The South buried one, making it 3-2 heading into the 2nd intermission. This was the score until the final minute of the 3rd period when South tied it up 3-3 with an Eric Theander (Okotoks, Alta.) tally. Team Northeast responded immediately when Andrew Koep put the team on his back scoring two goals, giving him a hatrick, in the final 49-seconds to lead Northeast to the 5-3 win.
Team Northeast netminder Korlan Vader (Sherwood Park, Alta.) stopped 25 shots on net while Xavier Burghardt (Medicine Hat, Alta.) had 30 saves. This is Team Northeast’s first Alberta Cup championship since 2004 when they won the event in Okotoks.
FINAL RESULTS – SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012 |
DATE | FINAL | TEAM | SCORE | TEAM | SCORE |
April 29 | A Final | South | 3 | Northeast | 5 |
April 29 | B Final | Calgary North | 5 | Central | 4 |
April 29 | C Final | Edmonton South | 4 | Calgary South | 3 |
April 29 | D Final | Northwest | 2 | Edmonton North | 5 |
CLICK HERE FOR STATS, RESULTS, ROSTERS AND MORE INFORMATION
2012 ALBERTA CUP ALL-STARS |
NAME | POSITION | TEAM | HOMETOWN |
Patrick Deal | Goal | Northwest | St. Albert |
Brendan Guhle | Defense | Northeast | Sherwood Park |
Dylan Overdyk | Defense | Northwest | St. Albert |
Nick Merkley | Forward | Calgary South | Calgary |
Giorgio Estephan | Forward | Edmonton South | Edmonton |
Mason McCarty | Forward | South | Blackie |
**All-stars were selected by WHL scouts and Team Alberta staff**
The 2012 Source for Sports Play SMART Award was handed out to Team Edmonton South for their exceptional sportsmanship, respect and attitudes both on and off the ice throughout the tournament. This award is voted on by each team, the officials and staff at the Alberta Cup.
Follow the Alberta Cup on FACEBOOK and TWITTER or stay connected online at www.hockeyalberta.ca/albertacup.
The 2012 Alberta Cup Host Committee is comprised of three groups; Lethbridge Minor Hockey Association, Lethbridge Hurricanes and University of Lethbridge Pronghorns Alumni Association. Hockey Alberta is also proud to have the Western Hockey League, Reebok/CCM, Source for Sports and Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks and Wildlife Foundation as event sponsors.
The Alberta Cup Program begins in March each year with close to 1000 players trying out at their respective zone camps. Each of the 160 athletes playing in the Alberta Cup is competing for one of eighty invites to the U16 Male Provincial Camp in July. The U16 Male Provincial Camp is the final stage in the first year of the Team Alberta Program.
The Alberta Cup is the premier event in the province that helps identify the top male players in Alberta. It is well attended by scouts as they prepare for the Western Hockey League’s bantam draft. In addition to player evaluations, the competition is also an opportunity for administrators, coaches, trainers and referees to be evaluated for future positions with the Team Alberta Program.
Former Alberta Cup graduates include such players as Jordan Eberle, Devan Dubnyk, Dany Heatley, Jay Bouwmeester, Dion Phaneuf, Scott Hartnell and Devin Setoguchi.