Peewee C2 had a rough start to the year, with only one win in their first nine games. The boys worked hard and after Christmas saw huge improvement in their teamwork, team play and results on the scoreboard. Although they finished their season with two wins, nine losses and three ties, they were moving forward together as a team. They also saw some success in the Sunshine Coast Winter Classic and Powell River Tournament, which seemed to help give them the confidence they needed to enter into playoffs.
Kicking off playoffs, Peewee C2 knew it was going to take hard work to see the results they wanted and get to the banner game. The boys battled through playoffs and came out undefeated, beating Squamish C1, North Van C4 and North Van C5. These boys were pumped, and being undefeated they earned the home ice advantage.
The Banner game was played at the Gibsons and Area Community Centre Wednesday, March 8. Wednesday night the team played their hearts out to huge crowds, setting the tone, scoring 30 seconds into the game. And the team play continued, with two more unanswered goals. North Van C4 came back, scoring one at the end of the second, but an empty netter mid third period sealed the deal. The Peewee C2s came up from behind, and secured the Banner.
Bantam A’s
The SCMHA Bantam A’s struggled at the start of the year, not even knowing if they would ice a team. The season was a rough start with major injuries, minor injuries and other off ice related issues. With one player out for two months with a broken arm and another out for four months with a concussion, the team struggled, dressing 7-8 players a game throughout December. Things were looking bleak, with one win, three ties and 12 losses, the team was taking penalties and losing seven out of 14 sportsmanship points, feeling defeated and run down. The boys worked hard, through the tough start and saw huge improvements. Their dedication to practices and hard work was showing impressive results.
The Bantam A’s finished the regular season with five out of seven wins including four straight wins into playoffs. They knew it was going to take hard work in playoffs to secure the Banner. The team fought hard for four wins, and two losses, securing 14 out of a possible 18 points. A team that had a reputation for spending time in the penalty box at the start of the year earned 20 straight sportsmanship points – a huge accomplishment, especially in checking rep hockey. As they waited for the other teams to play out their games, the suspense was killing them. On Tuesday night, at their last on-ice practice, the results were in. The Bantam A’s had won the Presidents Series banner!
Both banners were presented to the teams on Wednesday at the Gibsons and Area Community Centre. Coaches Trevor Ashley (Bantam head coach and Peewee assistant coach) and Josh Vanklinken (Peewee head coach and Bantam assistant coach) coached both teams with help from Ross Pearson for the Peewees and Jim Dorey and Albert Bezaire for the Bantams.
