North Idaho Avalanche notch two solid wins at Nike Cup

SANDPOINT — The U18 Real North Idaho Avalanche boys team went 2-1 and tied for first in their bracket last weekend at the Nike Cup in Portland, Oregon. The Avalanche lost the tie-breaker, which would have sent them to the semi-final. The team that won the tie-breaker went on to win the tournament championship.

The Avalanche beat Vancouver 3-0 for the first win, with goals from Jeff Rokstad, Lane Smith and Andre Zarate. Kanyen Bauer and Mat Evans came up big in goal, combining for the shutout. Outstanding defensive play was turned in by Spencer Hanson, Harrison Reasor, Cordell Reed and Taran Loper, while the offense was spearheaded by the outstanding play of Andrew Bare, Hunter Cayton, Kyle Lamson and Raleigh Hanson.

In the second win, the team defeated Lake Oswego of Portland in a tough 2-1 game. Sebastian Mortimer and Smith came through with beautiful goals, and Rokstad provided the assists with incredible crosses from the wing. Bauer and Evans combined once again in the goal, turning away shot after shot, helping the Avalanche to hold on for the win.   

The team travels to Spokane this weekend to compete in the River City Cup, and then will disband and pick up with their high school teams in August. The Avalanche is comprised of players from seven different schools: Bonners Ferry, Coeur d’Alene, Lake City, Moscow, Post Falls, Pullman and Sandpoint.

The team will pick back up in the winter and then compete through the following summer, with short breaks in between.  The Avalanche U18 team is the only one in North Idaho that competes during the winter, spring and summer seasons, giving interested players the opportunity to play more often and travel beyond the Inland Northwest. During the 2010-11 seasons, the team plans to play in California, Canada, Montana, Oregon and Washington.