Pioneers now 4-1

The Ladner Pioneers played a pair of games Wednesday at the Presidents Cup, starting with a 5-4 morning squeaker over the 0-4 Tuscarora Tomahawks. Ladner lead 3-1 after 20 minutes on the strength of a pair of goals by Phil Caputo and a single from Austin Shanks. Jake Carey sandwiched a goal between a pair of Tomahawk markers in the second period, and Tuscarora tied the game at 4 with 3 minutes left in regulation. However, Shanks got the game winner less than a minute later and the BC champs improved to 4-0. Christian Del Bianco had another solid effort in the net, stopping 43 of 47 shots.

In the nightcap, the 3-1 host Oakville Rock handed the Pioneers their first loss by a score of 10-7. The Rock led 2-0 and 6-2 at the intermissions, before Ladner broke through in the final frame with 5 goals. Unfortunately the closest the west coast lads could get was 9-7 before the hosts notched an empty netter with 5 seconds left. Ryan Benesch led scoring with 5 assists, while Tyler Pace had 3 goals. Zach Herreweyers also had a pair of goals, with Dylan Lacroix and Jeff Cornwall chipping in a goal each.

Next up for the Pioneers Thursday are the 3-2 Snake Island Muskies of the TNSLL.