The 2022/2023 Sunshine Coast men’s adult hockey league (SCAHL) regular season came to an end on March 18. There were no changes to the top of the standings, with the Custom Hawks only losing one regulation game throughout the entire 27-game season hot on the heels of winning their fourth league cup last spring. The only team that managed to finish anywhere close to the Hawks were the Bruins who will also be their opponent on Saturday night for the league playoff final.
The Batch44 Kings, Hitmen Ice Hockey Club, The Sevens and the newly rebranded 101 Fallers fought it out for the remaining places in the league after the Oilers called it quits mid-way through the season after over 10 years of league participation. It is unfortunate as the league was supporting seven teams and on the way to eight, which would have been representative of the rapid population growth the lower Sunshine Coast has experienced since the pandemic.
On the scoring front, the top points leader through the regular season was Braeden Cross of the Bruins with 95 points (47 goals and 48 assists), followed by Marc Chabot (81), Josh Gray (67) and Mac Roy (62) of the Hawks. Nevan Flay (Bruins), Ethan Ellis Winters (101 Fallers), Justin Fodchuk (Bruins), Tyler Nestman (Hawks), Connor Cross (Bruins) and Noland Caldwell (Bruins) rounded out the top 10 in overall league scoring.
On the goalie front, Jackson McIntosh of the Hawks took the title of most wins followed by Bruins newcomer Jon McTaggart and the 2022 league finals goalie James Hamilton of the Batch44 Kings.
The round-robin league playoffs that started on March 21 wrapped up Thursday when the Batch44 Kings face off against the 101 Fallers. That game will have no bearing on the final, which will feature the first place Custom Hawks against the second place Bruins this Saturday, April 22 at the Gibsons and Area Recreation Center. Puck drop is at 7 p.m. We encourage everyone to come out and cheer on their favourite team.
After the SCAHL final game, there is one more major adult hockey event to wrap up the season. The 2023 Hitmen 7-Aside makes its return April 28 to 30, also at the Gibsons and Area Recreation Centre, featuring three divisions (A - Competitive Division, 35 and Older Division and Fun and Co-Ed). Teams are restricted to six skaters and one goalie, making for some fast-paced and action-packed hockey. For more information on the Hitmen 7-Aside Tournament, please visit their Facebook page https://facebook.com/hitmen7aside.
For those interested in playing competitive adult hockey, please email us at [email protected]
