In a thrilling, back-and-forth affair, the Lethbridge United 18U AAA squad emerged with a narrow 4-3 victory over the Kootenay HA in a game defined by relentless offensive pressure and key responses. The first period was a firewagon hockey showcase, with both teams combining for 51 shots. Kootenay's Marcus de Zwart, wearing #11, struck twice in quick succession at 16:05, with helpers from Parker Thom and Alex Johnson, to answer an early opening goal from Lethbridge's Mason Noble (#25). Kootenay's Hank Johnsen (#19) then put his team ahead 3-1 late in the period, assisted by Jaxon Derosier. The United, however, refused to fade, setting the stage for a dramatic comeback.
The middle frame saw Lethbridge begin their climb back. Carter Jensen (#9) found the net at 18:24, assisted by Devin Groenenboom and Mason Noble, cutting the deficit to one. The momentum fully shifted when Colin Fancy (#8) scored an unassisted goal at 13:23 to knot the game at 3-3. The period was also marked by physical play, with penalties for roughing and cross-checking on both sides, including minors to Lethbridge's Cohen Zasadny and Mason Noble and Kootenay's Bryce Birmingham.
The third period became a tense, penalty-filled chess match as both teams sought the go-ahead goal. Kootenay was hampered by a costly bench minor for too many players, while Lethbridge's Dane Wood and Kootenay's Adam Shypitka and Bryce Birmingham again found themselves in the box. With just 54 seconds remaining on the clock, Lethbridge's Colin Fancy delivered the decisive blow, netting the game-winning goal off a feed from Devin Groenenboom to complete his two-goal night. A boarding minor on Cohen Zasadny as time expired was a mere footnote as the United celebrated a hard-fought comeback win, sealed by Fancy's clutch performance.
14U AAA - HC Edmonton
14U AAA - Surrey Eagles HA
15U AAA - Bow Valley HC
15U AAA - Langley HA
