WENATCHEE, Wash. - The Canadian Sport School Hockey League schedule is finished for the Wenatchee Wild Hockey Academy as the USA Hockey Pacific District tournament begins in Irvine, California. Three of the Academy's teams are in action this weekend at the Great Park Ice Arena, beginning with games today against other top teams from the western United States.

The 18-and-Under team finished with two tight games against Coeur d'Alene Hockey Academy last Friday and Saturday, including a 4-3 win on Saturday in Wenatchee. Kyson Lindsay scored two goals in a 4-3 loss Friday, including a go-ahead power play goal in the second period, but two CDA goals later in the period put them ahead for the first time and the teams went scoreless through the final 20 minutes.

Saturday's game produced a 4-3 win for Wenatchee, as the Wild 18U team took the lead on four separate occasions. Gregor Ermellini scored twice to put the hosts ahead by a goal, but the lead that finally stuck came from a Cameron Kimmerly goal at 1:48 of the third. Anthony Ganoung made 36 saves to earn the win. The 16U team also finished its CSSHL regular season with a 9-0 loss Friday to STAR Academy, while the 14U team dropped three games against talented competition as a guest team at the CSSHL's Edge School Showcase in Calgary, Alberta.

"We let the Friday game get away, but we learned from it and regrouped," said Wild Hockey Academy director Troy Mick. "We challenged them to pretend it was game one of the districts on Saturday and came back with a win, so it was good to end the season with a win, and to go into districts with a win."

The three teams at this year's Pacific District tournament are all set to begin play on Thursday, starting with the 16U team's matchup against the Orange County Ice Dogs, followed by their games against the Anaheim Jr. Ducks Friday morning and Team Alaska on Saturday morning. The 15O group takes on Team Alaska Thursday morning, followed by early games against the Jr. Ducks Friday and the Los Angeles Jr. Kings on Saturday. Three afternoon games are on the schedule for the 18U team, starting with Thursday's tilt against the San Jose Jr. Sharks - on the docket afterward are the Anaheim Jr. Ducks on Friday and Team Alaska on Saturday.

"It's going to be a lot of fun. We're really excited with that," said Mick. "A lot of guys haven't played in the districts, but here's the reward for winning the state. You've got a state banner, and now you want to go down and put out a great effort, and hopefully have a chance to move on. This team has never made it to nationals, so that's a goal, but we also keep it in perspective. If we play systematically strong and work hard, it'll give us a chance to win. It's going to be nice after a long, dreary winter of clouds, rain and snow to go and see some palm trees."

The schedule will quickly become a whirlwind one for the 16U group, with CSSHL postseason games in British Columbia to follow immediately afterward - play in the Division II consolation bracket is slated to begin for Wenatchee on Monday, and could run all the way through Friday. 15O playoffs begin next weekend, with the 18U CSSHL playoff set to begin Tuesday, March 11.