â–ş Listen Live
â–ş Listen Live

4th time’s the charm, home teams sweep BCEHL Winter Classic

Since the annual BCEHL Winter Classic started in 2019, the home teams had a combined record of 0-3-1-1.

What was starting to look like a host curse is now a distant memory, after the Northern Capitals and Cariboo Cougars both skated off Ernie Sam Memorial Arena’s outdoor ice surface with wins.

The weekend featured four games over three days in two towns – with the Northern Capitals playing outdoors in Fort St. James on Friday (January 20) night and Vanderhoof Saturday morning, and the Cariboo Cougars outdoors on Saturday night, then wrapping up the weekend indoors at Fort St. James’ Fort Forum.

The Cariboo Cougars completely shattered the notion that games at Ernie Sam Memorial Arena are low scoring affairs.

Prior to their Saturday game, the most goals scored in any of the six outdoor games prior was 5.

One Cariboo forward would singlehandedly beat that.

Mason Loewen scored an unbelievable six goals, helping carry his team to a 10-3 victory over the Thompson Blazers.

Loewen scored two goals in each period as the Cougars led 3-1 after one, and 6-3 after two.

His final two goals came in the final two minutes of the game that was already well over.

The six goal game doubled his season total.

The next morning, the 8th place Blazers played a much more complete game indoors but still could not muster up enough, as the Cougars would sweep the weekend with a 4-3 win.

On Friday night, the 4th of 5th place Northern Capitals got the ball rolling on the weekend with a 3-1 win over the Thompson Okanagan Lakers.

0-0 after the first, the Lakers’ Ava MacLeod opened the scoring in front of around 200 fans at 4:24 of the second on a penalty shot, the first penalty shot goal in BCEHL winter classic history.

Soon after, the Capitals’ Neen Suapa picked up her first career goal and point, tying the game 1-1 after two periods.

She was not done though, ripping home the eventual game winner halfway through the third period, scoring her two first ever goals outside.

Knyla Evans would seal the deal on the powerplay 2:30 later, breaking the home team curse on Ernie Sam Memorial Arena.

These two teams would tie the rematch 2-2 in Vanderhoof on Saturday morning.

Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].

Continue Reading

cjci Now playing play

cirx Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

<p>

- Advertisement -
</p>

Latest News

Surprise visit brings big smiles to boy battling cancer in Quesnel

A young man battling eye cancer received a surprise visit over the Canada Day long weekend by a car club and motorcycle club in Quesnel. Over 50 vehicles from the Prospector’s Car Club and the Dangerous Curves Motorbike Club drove by and filled the dead-end roads near Kellen Harper-Frederiko’s house, with well wishes, toys to give to Kellen, and chances for him to sit in and on cars and bikes.

Some Northern Interior Health Unit services moving next year

Northern Health's Northern Interior Health Unit (NIHU) will be making a move in spring 2026.  According to Northern Health, the current NIHU building will be deconstructed after the move to make space for the tower. 

Traveling with pets? Keep them secured, says ICBC and BC SPCA

ICBC and the BC SPCA are reminding drivers of the importance of keeping four-legged passengers secure this summer. 

Darin’s Sports Shorts; Saturday, July 5th

A recap of yesterday's sports.

CFIA recalls brand of jarred anchovies due to histamine

A brand of jarred anchovies has been recalled in British Columbia and multiple other provinces.
- Advertisement -