A pair of local hockey players helped the Abbotsford Pilots win the Cyclone Taylor Cup.
Langley’s Kyle Star and Aldergrove’s Chris Vinette helped the Pilots to a thrilling 3-2 double overtime victory over the Victoria Cougars on Sunday at Abbotsford’s MSA Arena in the championship game for the Cyclone Taylor Cup.
Abbotsford went 2-1 in the round robin, with their lone loss coming to the Cougars in the opening game.
Vinette finished the tournament with two goals and an assist in the four games, while Star played in all four games, but was held off the scoresheet. Both are forwards.
In the championship final, the Pilots had forced overtime with 70 seconds to go and then won it on Garett Lynum’s goal 4:17 into the fifth period.
The victory advances the Pilots to the Keystone Cup, the western Canadian junior B hockey championships. It is being held in Saskatoon and features the provincial champions from B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario, as well as the host team team from Saskatchewan.
Abbotsford leaves on Wednesday (April 18) and the tournament runs from April 19-22.