Some 30 games filled the schedule as the 23rd Annual Steel City International Hockey Tournament began in earnest on Thursday in Sault Ste. Marie.
Round robin action for the 61 participating teams continues at all local arenas through Saturday with semi-final and championship game action taking place on Sunday in all six divisions.
Here is a look at how teams from the Sault fared in the opening day of competition. Local scorers are indicated in brackets.
MIDGET AAA MAJOR:
Soo North Stars 5 Michigan Jaguars 2
(Kyle Rodgers, Matt D'Agostini, Tyler Gendron, Lucas Goodall, Paul Dupont)
MIDGET AAA MINOR:
Chicago Chill 12 Mr. Sub 0
BANTAM AAA MAJOR:
Soo Thunder 7 Marquette Iron Rangers 2
(Luke Critchley 2, Kory Kaunisto 2, Brad Dicandia, Nathan Ableson, Jeff McAllister)
BANTAM AAA MINOR:
Soo Greyhounds 3 Marquette American Legion 2
(Anthony Colizza, Dylan King, Kevin Closs)
MIDGET AA:
Soo (Mich.) Storm 5 Root River Rangers 4
(Tommy Loza 2, Matthew Guzzo, Graham Dalseg, Steven Luxton)
Sudbury Lakers 6 Littner's Park 2
(Mark Hoffman, Nick Minardi)
Northside Toyota 2 West Nippissing 1
(Zac McNally, Stephen Nelli)
BANTAM AA:
Pino's Titans 1 (Matt McDonald; Shutout - Jerry Sauve) Blueliners' Blackhawks 0
S&T Lightning 6 Valley East Rebels 1
(Thomas Ross 3, Steven Pandzic, Jacob Vachon, Reg Peer)
Warren Park Eagles 7 Blueliners' Blackhawks 1 (Michael Esson)
Thunder Bay Beavers 4 S&T Lightning 2 (Kyle Berry, Jacob Vachon)
South End Rangers 6 Pino's Titans 1 (Cody Davoe)
*** Here is a recap of the remaining scores from day one:
MIDGET AAA MAJOR:
Waterloo Wolves 8 Superior Eagles 0
Timmins Majors 3 Sudbury Lockerby Nickel Capitals 3
Michigan Soo Kewadin Indians 5 Motown Hitmen 1
Capital Centre Pride 3 Ojibwa Eagles 2
Marquette Electricans 2 Kapuskasing Flyers 0
Wisconsin 3 Rayside Balfour Jr. Sabrecats 0
MIDGET AAA MINOR:
Chicago Young Americans 4 Oshawa 1
Chicago Chill 2 Chicago Young Americans 0
BANTAM AAA MAJOR:
Elgin Middlesex 7 Wayzata 3
BANTAM AAA MINOR:
Calumet Rotary 7 Soo (Mich.) Storm 0
Marquette American Legion 3 Calumet Rotary 0
MIDGET AA:
Shaw Timberwolves 4 Marquette C&C 2
Traverse City North Stars 7 Rowe Moving 4
Hearst 9 Green Bay Gamblers 4
Sudbury Lakers 6 West End Bruins 1
La Sarre 7 Soo (mich.) Storm 2
Current River Comets 4 West Nippissing 2
BANTAM AA:
Arapahoe Ice Warriors 8 Valley East Rebels 2