The North Island Silvertips were able to wrap up the first half of their season on a positive.
Nanaimo’s B.C. Major Midget League hockey team (6-12-4) won its last regular-season game of 2012 Sunday 2-0 against the Kootenay Ice at the Nanaimo Ice Centre.
The Ice had beaten the 'Tips 3-0 the day before, but the home team was much better in the rematch.
"We just stayed more positive, stayed more focused on each shift, playing our game," said Jason Dubyna, the team's coach.
He said the Silvertips' strong defensive play on Sunday was a team effort, as puck possession played a part.
"When we're not turning pucks over and we're keeping possession, that's the key to our defensive game," Dubyna said. "And guys have got to win their battles one-on-one to be strong defensively."
Nick Gomerich and Curtis McCarrick each had a goal and an assist for the Silvertips and Liam Young posted the shutout.
“We battled hard, we played very good defence, the boys got the puck out all the time,” said Young. “Lots of good effort.”
ICE CHIPS … The ’Tips will participate in the Richmond International midget hockey tournament after Christmas, then resume BCMML play with games Jan. 5-6 in Kelowna against the Okanagan Rockets.
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