WENATCHEE, Wash. - The Wenatchee Wild Hockey Academy's 18-and-Under team scored a memorable win over a Canadian Sport School Hockey League opponent last weekend, ahead of their first CSSHL showcase of the season, and their most far-flung visit of the year. The Wild Hockey Academy 18U program knocked off St. George's School 4-2 on Friday, their first-ever win in the head-to-head series. Goals from Geon Park and Dylan Crossley highlighted the first period, including a goal from Crossley with eight seconds remaining, before St. George's tied the game in the third. The Wild took the game back in the final two minutes, with A.J. Bauchrowitz's difference-maker coming at 18:02 of the third, followed by an empty-netter from Cameron Kimmerly with 18 seconds remaining.

"Our guys didn't quit, and I give them a lot of credit," said Wenatchee Wild Hockey Academy director Troy Mick. "They persevered out there. A.J. took a shot from the blue line through a screen to make it 3-2, so that was a good way to start the weekend. The next day, we had a good team meeting and a workout after the game."

Bode Drew opened the scoring the next day, but St. George's scored six straight goals en route to a 7-2 win and a split on the weekend. The Wenatchee 17U team played only one game on the weekend, falling at STAR Hockey Academy by a 7-3 count. Cooper Miller's power play goal put the Wenatchee club in front first, just 8:11 into the game.

The Academy's weekend teams made a visit to the CCM World Invite in the Chicago area, with each playing four games on the weekend. The 15O team dropped a pair of close decisions on the opening day at Canlan Sports in nearby Romeoville, with the Burlington Eagles prevailing 3-2 and the Woodbridge Wolfpack picking up a 3-1 win. Wenatchee closed pool play with an 8-3 loss to the Highland Park Falcons, before the Lake County Vipers landed a 5-1 win to end Wenatchee's weekend. The 14U team finished the weekend with a 3-3 tie against the North Jersey Avalanche, but dropped pool play contests against Fox Motors AA, the St. Louis Knights and the West Dundee Leafs.

"I'm very happy. They went in really well and competed with them, skated hard with them," said Mick. "The coaches were very happy with their performance, especially when you're playing those kinds of teams. It's a good builder going into the 14s' game Friday night against STAR Academy, and then they have a practice weekend, while the 15s have a practice weekend."

This weekend brings a chance for the 18U group to lock horns with three less-familiar CSSHL foes at the Hockey For All Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba, starting Friday afternoon against the Calgary International Hockey Academy. A pair of morning games follow Saturday against the Indigenous Sports Academy, and Sunday against South Alberta Hockey Academy. The 17U team welcomes Okanagan Hockey Academy for three games, starting Friday afternoon at 1 p.m. at Town Toyota Center.