Tanner Milne led Grandview to a comeback win over Pt. Coquitlam Jan. 28. (Alistair Burns / Grandview Steelers)
Team’s top scorer returns from illness to ensure victory over Pt. Coquitlam
BURNABY WINTER CLUB – It certainly wasn’t pretty. But the Grandview Steelers still took two points from a gritty 4-1 victory over the Pacific Junior Hockey’s League’s (PJHL) worst team, the expansion Port Coquitlam Trailblazers.
After being sidelined for weeks with an illness. Grandview’s leading scorer, Tanner Milne, was back in the line-up Jan. 28. The 20-year-old talented playmaker notched two goals in the final seven minutes – the latter into an empty net – to seal the win. He now has 25 goals and 20 assists (45 points) as of Jan. 29.
On his first goal, Milne appreciated the assist of linemate Colby Longeau, who tipped a Matiss Osborne shot from the point. The deflection bounced to Milne, who alertly tapped the loose puck in.
I’ve got this feeling, inside my bones…
“It’s an amazing feeling. I mean, I’ve been missing them for a couple of weeks now. And they welcomed me back with open arms. I’m loving it,” Milne commented.
“This season has been very fun for me,” he added.
Before Milne’s heroics, Steeler goalie Shayan Kermany was in commanding form. With Grandview’s defensive corps allowing numerous odd-man rushes during the second period, Kermany’s six-foot tall frame bounded around the crease.
He flashed his glove out to deny Trailblazer Kaleb Stetcher on a breakaway and keep the score at 1-1. Later, two minutes into the third period, Kermany slid across and stacked his pads to stop Blake Van Straten’s point-blank chance on the man advantage – which gave Grandview an immediate chance to capitalize.
Veteran Steeler Pav Bandesha picked up the loose puck and made a seeing-eye pass to hard-skating defenceman Cam Northard. Northard scored shorthanded on Trailblazer goalie Nick Mayne for the game-winner.
“Pavy makes a great pass – forehand, backhand – it’s in the net,” Northard said.
While Kermany didn’t receive an assist, he did have the satisfaction of his first win between the pipes since Dec. 23rd.
“I don’t remember the last time I got a win, so it’s definitely nice to get back into that win column – get the confidence up a bit,” Kermany pointed out. The netminder now has a record of seven wins and 12 losses with a goals-against-average of 3.74.
Postseason update
With the victory, the Steelers have a record of 22 wins, 20 losses and two shootout losses for a total of 46 points, or fifth place in the seven-team Tom Shaw Conference.
Grandview will make the playoffs – what still needs to be determined is their placement. With four games remaining in the regular season, the Steelers are six points behind the fourth-place White Rock Whalers, who have a game in hand.
As soon as the postseason schedule has been confirmed, we’ll let you know on this website and on our social media feeds.
Inside Steeltown post-game interviews
Tanner Milne on his return to form.
Goalie Shayan Kermany chats about his confidence going up.
Defenceman Cam Northard describes his shorthanded game-winner.
