The CNRL Bantam B Raptors, league champions can also add provincial silver medalists after an exciting weekend of hockey at Drumheller Memorial Arena.
The CNRL Raptors hosted the provincial tournament from March 19-21. The previous weekend they were crowned league champions. Even though they were hosting, the competition was bigger and stronger, but they were up to the task.
The Raptors began their tournament versus the Sexsmith Vipers and were able to put them away 7-5 on Friday morning. After Friday night’s opening ceremonies, they took on the Zone 3 representative Edson in the feature game, but came up short 6-5.
Pool play continued on Saturday as they took down the Camrose Warriors with a score of 5-3.
This set them up for the game of the weekend on Sunday versus the Lac La Biche Clippers. The teams were deadlocked at three goals each down the stretch and the game went into double overtime. Spencer Fournier came up with the winner.
There was no rest for the Raptors as they continued to the finals, this time against Edson.
The tournament, compound with the drawn out double overtime wore down the Raptors as they bowed 7-2.
“The tournament was a great success, everyone we’ve talked to said we did a great job of putting it on,” said coach Brett Steward. “Congratulations to Edson and everyone. Every team that came here deserved to be here.”
“That double overtime really killed us, it took our legs out from under us. We came out a little flat and they just shut us down.”
Coach for Edson, Eugene Miluch, was happy with the success of his team.
“I am very proud, I never made it here as a player, but finally got here as a coach,” he said. “The opportunity arose, and they rose to the occasion and here we are, Alberta champs, it’s unbelievable.”
For the Raptors, they took satisfaction in being named the Play SMART winners. This award was for the team demonstrating sportsmanship on and off the ice. It included limiting penalty minutes, as well as how parents and players treat the officials on and off the ice.
This was the year to shine for the Raptors as the bulk of the team will be moving up to midget. Coach Stewart says there will still be lots of strength in the upcoming team.
“About nine go up to midget,
but there are five or six guys that will be bantam again. Last year the peewees went all the way to provincials, so you are going to have another really good bantam team in Drumheller. That’s very exciting, and the midgets will be even stronger with the experience moving up.”George Kallay, chair of the Hockey Alberta Foundation felt the tournament was a success.
“It was a great tournament and the organizing committee did a super job. Shalynn Schinnour and Linda Lacher deserve a lot of credit,” said Kallay. “I talked to a lot of coaches, and talked to players and parents, and they had nothing but good things to say about the tournament.”
