By Tiffany L. Rehbein
The ice will be hot this weekend as Havre prepares to host the State Mites hockey tournament at the Havre Ice Dome.
Havre, Missoula, Whitefish, and two Butte teams will be in town for the event, which kicks off Friday, March 3, and finishes with consolation and championship action on Sunday.
The mites are ages 7-9-year-olds.
The Havre Ice Hawks mites team, sponsored by Havre Laundry and Northern Montana Hospital, has had an up-and-down season.
While each member of the entire team has played a crucial role during each game this season, Mason Sheppard, Shane Kemmer, and Ryan Armstrong are strong offensively.
Most recently, Sheppard scored three goals in an 18-9 Havre loss to Consul, Saskatchewan.
Kemmer tallied two goals and Armstrong one in the game.
Seth Anderson, Kyle Miller, Will DeVries, and Beau Briese, Dylan Ballard, and Adam Briese are also tough offensively for Havre.
Alex Sinclair is a snappy goalie in the net for the Ice Hawks.
During the first weekend in February, the Havre mites won the Richland tournament, held at Sidney.
Sheppard, Anderson, and Armstrong were each awarded game MVP honors during the tournament.
In the championship game, which Havre won 13-0, Armstrong smacked in five goals, Sheppard notched three, Adam Briese had two, Dylan Patterson, Kemmer, Cameron Schilling, and Tyler Ellis each tallied one apiece.
Zachary Wavrick also played well at the tournament, scoring a goal in the semifinal game against Sidney.
On the assisting end, Amanda Hanson and Jarrett McLain have proven themselves to be a threat for the Ice Hawks. Ben Summers and Eddie Hensel also play well for Havre.
At the Butte Chick Sanders Memorial Mites Tournament in November, recipients of the Ironman Award were Kemmer, Sinclair, Adam Briese, and Armstrong.
Beau Briese, Patterson, Jesse Majeres, and Miller received MVP awards at the same tournament.
Kemmer also earned the hat trick pin, scoring three goals in the game.
Havre hosted the Dyna-Mite tournament on Jan. 8-9, with the Butte Blues taking home the first place trophy. Havre placed second at the tournament.
The Ice Hawks are coached by Dave Armstrong, Mark Majeres, and Marc Ballard.
Prices are as follows: Adults $3/day, $6/weekend. Students $1.50/day, $3/weekend. Family Pass All games: $10. Twelve and under are free of charge.
Western Division State Mites Hockey Tournament
Havre Ice Dome
Friday, March 3
1:15 p.m. Havre vs. Butte 2
3:00 p.m. Butte 1 vs. Missoula
4:45 p.m. Whitefish vs. Havre
Saturday, March 4
8:00 a.m. Missoula vs. Butte 2
9:45 a.m. Whitefish vs. Butte 1
11:30 a.m. Havre vs. Missoula
1:15 p.m. Butte 2 vs. Butte 1
3:00 p.m. Whitefish vs. Missoula
4:45 p.m. Havre vs. Butte 1
6:30 p.m. Whitefish vs. Butte 1
Sunday, March 5
9:30 a.m. Third Place vs. Fourth Place (via points)
12:00 p.m. First Place vs. Second Place (via points)
