Podgorenko, Wullum spark Team Flyers to BC U16 Cup crown
By The Nelson Daily Sports
Justin Podgorenko of Nelson and Logan Wullum of Trail helped Team Flyers come out the winners at the 2013 Male U16 BC Cup in Salmon Arm, edging Team Canucks 4-3 in shootout during Sunday’s championship game.
Team Flyers won the shootout 2-1.
The Male U16 BC Cup offers the top players in the province a unique experience of competing against the best in BC.
The object of the BC Hockey High Performance program is to enhance the overall performance of players, coaches and officials in high-level competition.
In the Gold Medal contest, Caleb Fantillo of Coquitlam tied the game in the final minutes after Hunter Johnson of Terrace put Team Flyers into a 3-2 advantage with four minutes remaining in the third period.
Blake Hayward of Vancouver scored twice to give Team Flyers a 2-0 lead.
Davis Kosh of Surrey cut the lead to 2-1 with a goal 31 seconds remaining in the second period.
Jagger Williamson of Lumby tied the game for Canucks in the third.
Players who have come through the BC Hockey system include defenceman Brent Seabrook of the Chicago Blackhawks, Brandon McMillan of Anaheim Ducks and Brett Connolly of Tampa Bay Lightning.
The BC Hockey High Performance U16 Program is designed as an introduction to BC Hockey’s High Performance Program, exposing players, coaches and officials to short term competition.
The Under 16 Program also acts as a precursor to the BC Hockey High Performance U17 Program, which is used to identify and train players and team personnel for Provincial, Regional and National Teams.
Other players from the West Kootenay attending the camp were goalies Brandon Youngson and Jason Maihiot of Trail, forward Kadrian Klimchuk of Castlegar and defenceman Jacob Yuris of Trail.
Team Avalanche defeated Team Bruins for the Bronze Medal.
