Avon View’s boys’ hockey team to honour graduating players Feb. 16

WINDSOR, N.S. — The West Kings Wolverines rolled into Hants Exhibition Arena looking to steal two points from Avon View Feb. 2 but that wasn’t in the cards as far as the Avalanche were concerned.

Ethan Salsman got Avon View off to a quick start just six minutes into the game as he skated hard down the ice, went through two defencemen and deked the goaltender for a 1-0 Avalanche lead.

Salsman registered three goals, including two short-handed markers, and two assists against the last place Wolverines who were 4-10-0 following the game.

The Avalanche held period leads of 3-1 and 5-3 before winning it 7-4. Other Avalanche goal scorers were Zack Eldridge, Nolan Mole, Dan Lord and Matthew Benedict, who also had a short-handed marker. All three West Kings goals came on the power-play.

The Avalanche travelled to Sydney for the 40th annual Red Cup High School Tournament, which is slated to run Feb. 7-10. The Avalanche were scheduled to play Riverview, from Cape Breton, at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 8, Lockview, from Metro Halifax, at noon on Feb. 9 and then later that afternoon, they were going up against Memorial, from North Sydney. Games were being played in Sydney and in Coxheath. The championships were to be held on Feb. 10.

Upcoming games

The Avalanche will visit the West Kings Wolverines on Feb. 15, and then on Feb. 16, will host the Clare Loups at 7 p.m. At the start of their final home game of the season, the Avalanche will honour a large contingent of graduating players.

The 12 graduating players are Ethan Salsman, Hayden Burgess, Will Caines, Ryan Coleski, Dan Lord, Joe MacDonald, Jack Sheehan, Keegan Turnbull, Jeremy Davison and Cole Boutilier.

The Avalanche will conclude their 2018-19 regular season schedule on the road with games in Park View on Feb. 22 and in Kentville against Horton on Feb. 23.

Following regular season play, there will be Division 1 provincial playdowns and the one-day Valley High School Hockey League playoff championship.