The Greater Trail Minor Hockey Association’s (GTMHA) Bantam Rep Smoke Eaters host their annual tournament this weekend, looking to repeat as champions.
The Tier 2 Bantam tournament will go at the Cominco and Beaver Valley arenas this weekend, with games starting at noon on Friday and ending up with the final on Sunday at 11:45 a.m. in Trail.
A total of six teams will compete for the coveted title, including Greater Trail, the Spokane Chiefs, Castlegar Rebels, Tri-City Americans, Salmon Arm Silvertips and Bow Valley Timber Wolves from Calgary.
Last year, the Bantam Smokies hung on for an 8-6 win over Campbell River Tyees in the semifinal before taking out the West Kelowna Bantam Warriors in the final 5-3 to win the championship.
With teams from the U.S. And Alberta, this year’s tournament will ice a few unknowns from the teams the Bantam Smokies play regularly in the Okanagan Mainline Amateur Hockey Association.
The Bantam Smoke Eaters first game goes Friday at the Cominco Arena at 2:15 p.m. versus the Tri City. They’ll play twice on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. against Castlegar and at 4:15 p.m. versus Bow Valley. On Sunday, the top four teams play off to see who goes to the final.