A week prior to SundayB次元官网网址檚 All-Star Classic at Pearkes arena, rookie Liam Sproule of the Saanich Braves wasnB次元官网网址檛 even scheduled to play.

Sproule sparked a chippy afternoon when the 17-year-old defenceman fought Dixon Wing of Campbell River in the four-on-four prospects game.

Stick work, body checks and various other pleasantries were shared in both games, particularly in the dayB次元官网网址檚 main event, the All-Star Classic.

B次元官网网址淭hese guys play each other four, five, six times a year, and they donB次元官网网址檛 like to lose,B次元官网网址� said Cougars coach Mark Van Helvoirt, who coached the South to a 7-6 shootout victory.

B次元官网网址淚 thought it was well played, fairly clean and competitive. Some guys arenB次元官网网址檛 there because they score goals. They bring other intangibles and theyB次元官网网址檙e trying to showcase their skills.B次元官网网址�

As for Sproule, he added an assist and was the SouthB次元官网网址檚 MVP of the prospect game, though the North prevailed 6-4. OceansideB次元官网网址檚 Taylor Grabowski was MVP for the North.

Sproule was a late addition in place of fellow Braves defenceman Brandon Parmar, who was promoted to Jaden SchmeisserB次元官网网址檚 spot. The latter is now committed full time to the Victoria Grizzlies.

SprouleB次元官网网址檚 fight was applauded by the blood thirsty guest coach of the South Team, Robin Farrell of Kool FM. Farrell was helped by Grizzlies general manager and coach Vic Gervais, while CTV TwoB次元官网网址檚 Mira Laurence and Nanaimo Clippers coach Mike Vandekamp ran the North bench.

B次元官网网址淚 thought Saanich did an excellent job hosting the (weekend),B次元官网网址� Van Helvoirt said.

B次元官网网址�(The Braves) represented the league and brought the event one step further with the guest coaches and speakers, including Geoff Courtnall.B次元官网网址�

All-star goals

Scoring for the North in the All-star game were Alex Benjestorf (Campbell River), Luciano Sommerville (Oceanside), Alex Gruppe (Campbell River), Connor Enright (Oceanside), Jackson Garett (Comox), Travis Briggs (Oceanside).

The South responded with goals from Cole Thomson (Kerry Park), Sam Rice (Cougars), captain  Steve Axford (Victoria), Trevor Chown (Victoria), Sam Johnston (Saanich) and Tyler Jones (Saanich).

Gruppe and Thomson took the All-Star MVP awards.

Saanich shootout

When the All-Star game went to a shootout tied 6-6, Van Helvoirt made the classy decision to start Braves captain Tyler Jones as the first shooter, followed by Braves rookie Jack Palmer.

The shootout was scheduled at 10 rounds.

Jones scored on a low wrist shot and Palmer would have earned a massive ovation if the packed home crowd at Pearkes knew just how deft his goal was. Palmer made a series of dekes and seemed to have run out of options in tight against the NorthB次元官网网址檚 goalie Nick Babich (Campbell River). But, Palmer patiently back handed the puck into an opening on the far post, hidden from the crowdB次元官网网址檚 view.

PeninsulaB次元官网网址檚 Dane Gibson also scored in the shootout as the South won 4-1.

Goalies Tanner McGaw (Braves) and Evan Roch (Cougars) split the shootout duties.

Skills fastest skater

A pair of Peninsula Panthers, Trevor Yee and Dane Gibson, dominated the fastest skater competition, with Yee winning the final head-to-head race.