The Sunshine Coast should feel proud after a huge weekend of excellent Atom house hockey during an eight-team tournament in Powell River recently.
The Ducks and Panthers each played five games, with the Panthers finishing first overall after the round robin, losing a hard-fought final game to bring home silver medals.
The undefeated Ducks placed third in the round robin and finished third overall after the playoffs to bring home the bronze medal.
The Panthers won their first game 6-2 over Powell River. Duncan Armstrong opened the scoring six seconds in off the first face-off. Liam deRoon played with speed and skill, adding two goals and winning the first digger award for the Panthers.
The Panthers dominated their next game against the Powell River Areos, but came across a very hot goalie. Declan Coyle, an affiliate player from the novice division, potted his first goal with a great shot on a rebound in the 3-1 win. Payton Coyle earned his digger award that game, playing with leadership and resolve, scoring once and adding two assists.
Game three found the Panthers playing the extremely big and tall Cowichan Warriors. It was a fast-paced and exciting game where they battled back from a 2-0 deficit in the first period to end up winning the game, 6-5. Another novice call-up, Elan Kimpton-Cuellar, scored a beautiful goal and won the digger award for that game.
Day two of the tournament had the Panthers playing the Powell River Valley Builders, who managed to hold the Panthers off for the first 10 minutes. Then the floodgates opened as the Panthers skated to an 8-0 win. Geo Wilson earned a well-deserved digger award after an amazing defensive effort. Goalie Andrew Hanna also earned his first Atom shut out.
The gold medal game found the Panthers up against the red-hot Comox Piranhas. It was a nail-biter with both teams playing great hockey in Comox's 1-0 win.
Overall the Panthers played with great composure, with Payton keeping the Piranhas' leading scorer in check with his tenacious backcheck. The defence shone with unlimited effort by Geo, Ryan Jakes and Cole Schutz. Unsung hero Finn Rogers held his position and could always be counted on to dig for that puck along with Tyler Muryn with his rocket shot, who earned the fifth and final digger award for the team.
The Panthers had to work hard having such a short bench, playing three of the five games with only nine skaters.
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