New Westminster will be taking a big step up in competition at the Burnaby Minor bantam AAA Christmas hockey tournament Dec. 27 to 31.
The New West Royals, riding high in the Tier 2 bantam division, are currently tied for third in the and appear to be the favourite to top the Marino division in the 16-team Christmas tourney.
The Royals boast a record of 4-3-3 but, with 23 goals for and just 24 against in its first 10 league games, are one of the more balanced sides coming out of the division at the tourney.
Eighth-place Vancouver Spirit, and 10th-place North Delta and 11th-place Ridge Meadows are also slotted into the Marino division.
New West opens its pool play on Dec. 27 with an early morning 8: 15 a.m. start against Vancouver at the Bill Copeland Sports Centre.
The Royals also play Ridge Meadows later in the day at 3: 45 p.m.
On Dec. 28, New West is at Burnaby Lake Arena against North Delta. Game time is 10: 30 a.m.
Playoff eliminations start the following day and run all day.
Championship playdowns take place in the morning of Dec. 30, with semifinals starting later in the day at 6 p.m.
The medal games will be held on New Year's Eve with the consolation final beginning at 9 a.m. The gold-medal final is scheduled to start at noon. The closing ceremonies follow the final game.
New Westminster has never won the top-flight tournament.
