On Sunday, Jan. 17, the North Island Midget Eagles won the Division 3 league banner, and they did it in style,
shutting out the Port Alberni Bulldogs 12-0 at the Don Cruickshank Memorial Arena in Port Hardy."This is a
great group of kids, who really clicked well," said Leighann Ruel, the team's manager, adding that the team
"really encourage and support each other and play because they love hockey."The Eagles came out flying in
the 1st period, dominating the play as soon as the puck was dropped. Just 14:37 into the game, the Eagle's
Alex Scott beat the Bulldog's goalie with a nice wrist shot, and then at 9:31 Brandon Purdey smashed the puck
from the point, off the crossbar, and into the net to make it 2-0 for the Eagles. The 2nd period was no different.
The Eagle's Cameron Grant jammed the puck into the net at 18:19, Thomas Symons deeked around the
defence and slid the puck through the goalie's five hole at 10:50, David Charlie stole the puck in the Bulldog's
zone and knocked it past their goalie at 6:54, and Scott scored again off of a nice two-on-one play at 1:10,
making it 6-0 for the Eagles going into the 3rd period.The Eagles kept on attacking throughout the 3rd period.
Kenton Browne scored twice, once at 13:49 and again at 11:02 with a nice deek, Josh Walkus scored at 9:12
with a deek of his own, Scott scored his fourth goal of the game at 8:46, and Grant scored his second of the
game with 1:03 left on the clock to put the nail in the coffin. "This is the first banner the midget team has seen
in years," said Ruel, who then praised the team's coaches "Aaron and Toby, who give up their time to be there
for our kids. There is a mutual respect that really shows on and off the ice."The Eagles finished off the
Vancouver Island Midget Division Three season with an excellent 8-3-1 record, with 64 goals for and only 23
goals against.