For several of the young men on our Midget squad, this weekend was their last minor hockey road trip, following careers that span up to 14 years in length. Needless to say, the players wanted to make it count, and they did not disappoint.
Wearing shirts and ties and sporting new team jackets, the Bearcats marched into the Athabasca Multiplex. Up three goals in the two-game, total goal series, one sensed the team would not be denied, and certainly that was the case.
The Bearcats systematically disassembled Athabasca, period by period. The opponents soon realized that the day was lost to them as the Bearcats rolled to a 4鈥�0 victory.
With the win came a new swagger to the lads鈥攁n assuredness that they have become a solid team.
It was a good thing, too, because they would need that swagger, assuredness and some moxy for their match-up with the rather ruffled-up maverick team in Mayerthorpe the very next evening.
This was the first game in a best of three series that will result in a league championship for either Jasper or Mayerthrope.
Tensions were high from the get go. It became apparent early in the tilt that Mayerthorpe was bent on making this a physical game. There were plenty of big hits.
Jasper was first to find the back of the net in a nifty give-and-go that left the Mayerthorpe defence flat-footed. Penalty trouble for Jasper soon ensued and the home team tied it up. One-one, after one.
In the second frame, the intensity level increased yet again. Stellar goaltending kept the score tight in a game where physical survival became paramount. This was tough, hard hockey with an expanding penalty sheet to show for it. The Bearcats were weathering the storm and a hint of frustration began to show on the faces of the home squad.
Two-two, end of the second.
Then came the final frame.
Some say 鈥渟oul searching鈥� in dire moments is a required element for an athlete鈥檚 success.
Anyone who witnessed the third period can and will attest that our young men found what they were looking for. They came at a dishevelled Mayerthorpe team relentlessly. Wave after wave, line after line, with a new found strength.
The home team crumbled, stumbled and could not rebound. The Bearcats scored four unanswered beauties, some of which would make Don Cherry blush. Steadfast and composed, our young men stood up to the challenge and are now one step closer to the league championship.
One down, one to go.
This week the Bearcats will prepare for game two of the series. It鈥檚 do or die for Mayerthorpe, and they know it.
The coaches and players would ask their fans for one more big push on Saturday afternoon. The game starts at 1:30 p.m. It鈥檚 the only game in town and the league championship is on the line!
Note: There was no direct mention of player names this week pertaining to goals, assists, hits and saves. Why? As parents and coaches we were overwhelmed by the gigantic all around team effort. This may sound clich茅, however you can be assured that this was exactly what transpired on the weekend.
听厂耻产尘颈迟迟别诲
