Sandpoint hockey still on ice.

SANDPOINT — Spring may be around the corner but a number of hockey players from Sandpoint still have a couple of months ice time before they trade in their hockey sticks for golf clubs and start chasing little white balls instead of rubber discs.

"This has been a very successful season for all three of Sandpoint's teams as they continue to excel in their individual leagues," said George Stonekes, Sandpoint Hockey Association's director of hockey programs.

The Powerhouse Blues, after struggling for the first part of the season, is finally getting on track and starting to win more games. Although the Blues (7-10-1) are still below .500, their last two games seem to indicate that they may have turned the corner. Their most recent game, played on Feb. 13 against Spokane's Team USA, was a nail-biter. Even though the teams were tied 2-2 at the end of the first period, the Blues had to claw back from a 5-3 deficit in the third to win the game.

The winning goal was scored by Sandpoint's Joel Willits from the right offensive point with less than 2 minutes left in the period.

"If nothing else, the team proved that they have the tenacity to come from behind and win an important game and be counted on as a serious contender in their division," said Stonekes.

The Blues will be playing again on Tuesday at the Eagles Ice Arena in North Spokane against the Red Raiders.

The Sandpoint IceDogs continue to roll over their opponents and are 8-5 in their league with 98 goals scored, while only giving up 62.

"The Dogs are poised to move into first place and seem to have a good chance at winning the league title this year," said Stonekes. "Sandpoint Title Insurance is a team that just keeps on finding ways to win their games."

With a 17-3-0 record (scoring 131 goals and giving up 48), STI is a contender for the finals and just might end up bringing home the title in their league this year.

"Even though there are still four games left in the regular season, the team is hungry for the playoffs to begin," he said.

"With the excellent talent base of hockey players on Sandpoint's three teams there is little doubt that there will be lots of hardware brought home at the end of this hockey season." said Stonekes. "Hockey may be dead and gone in the NHL this season but it is alive and well with Sandpoint's teams."