The 18U AAA Titans Hockey Union set the tone early and never looked back, cruising to a decisive 6-2 victory over the Kootenay HA. The game was effectively won in the opening minutes, as the Titans capitalized on a quick start and a shaky night for the Kootenay goaltending. Just 23 seconds after Kootenay's Andrew Misson was sent off for interference, the Titans struck. Max MacPherson, assisted by Wesley Lizotte and Nathan Rose, opened the scoring. Less than two minutes later, with the home team still on the power play, Ethan Bilodeau doubled the lead with helpers from Owen Bashow and Spencer Behnsen. The Titans dominated the shot count 15-12 in the period, and goaltender Bennett Neilson was sharp when called upon, turning away every early challenge.
The second period saw the Titans extend their lead further. Just 28 seconds in, Max MacPherson struck again, netting what would stand as the game-winning goal to make it 3-0. Kootenay managed to break Neilson's shutout bid midway through the frame when Alex Johnson scored, assisted by Parker Thom and Andrew Misson. The period was marred by penalties, including a costly sequence for the Titans' Rhys McLean, who took an interference minor followed immediately by an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, giving Kootenay an extended power play they could not convert. Kootenay's Hank Johnsen also took a dangerous illegal check to the head minor, highlighting a physical and sometimes chippy middle stanza.
Any hopes of a Kootenay comeback were extinguished early in the third. The Titans' Rylan Scarfe restored the three-goal cushion on the power play just 13 seconds into the period, assisted by Carter Rennie. Although Kootenay's Blaine Nelson answered back to make it 4-2, the Titans responded with two quick goals to put the game out of reach. First, Wesley Lizotte scored from Nathan Rose just over a minute later, and then Sheldon Kucy added an unassisted marker to seal the 6-2 final. Titans netminder Bennett Neilson was a wall, stopping 29 of 31 shots for the win, while the Kootenay crease saw a tough night, with starter Noah Hagen allowing six goals on 30 shots before being relieved by Kingston Cuell for the final 16 minutes.
14U AAA - HC Edmonton
14U AAA - Surrey Eagles HA
15U AAA - Bow Valley HC
15U AAA - Langley HA
