| BC U-15 Team Brings Home Jr. National Title | ||||
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 West Coast Wolverines U15 provincial ball hockey club travelled to Edmonton, Alberta to take part in the Junior Canadian National Ball Hockey Championships in the U15 Division.
The U15 Division is only in its second year for the National tournament (Penetang, Ontario winning the inaugural event in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 2008) and the first time BC sent a team to the U15 Division. The Wolverines squad was made up of players from throughout the lower mainland ball hockey associations (See team list below). After the Wolverines went a perfect 4 wins and no losses, with only 6 goals against in the Round Robin, they received a direct route to the Championship finals on the Sunday, awaiting the semifinal winner between Edmonton Red Wings and the Penetang Blazers on the Saturday. Wolverines got out to a great start going up 4-1 midway through the first, until Edmonton picked up on BC's defensive pressure and transitioned their breakouts which was damaging. The Edmonton Red Wings to everyones surprise took a 5-4 lead midway through the 3rd period until the Wolverines tied it up. With under a minute left in the final frame, an Edmonton disallowed goal was called by the refs which sent both teams into overtime. Wolverines found themselves killing a 2 minute power play in the early stages of the 10 minute sudden death overtime. All was even and went to a second 10 minute overtime which saw an unfortunate boarding call against Brodie Jackson put the Wolverines into a 5 minute penalty kill situation. Wolverines fought off the 5 minutes and got through the second overtime. National rules put bth teams into a five man shootout. Wolverines netminder, Deepkaran Toor (Surrey) after a five goal game turned his game around and came up with all five saves in the shootout including a down and out glove save on the third Edmonton shooter. Wolverines for the fifth and final shooter sent out Trevor Sidhu (Metro Burnaby) to try and win it all. Trevor came in with a fake shot and went left with a backhander to the net to win the Championship for the Wolverines. This is the first ever Minor Ball Hockey A-Pool Championship win for a BC squad. Head Coach Gary Slavin along with Assistant Coach Dave Olafson (both Ridge Meadows) and Mike Lloyd, Assistant Coach (Metro Burnaby) put together this provincial club only three months ago. Coach Gary Slavin would like to thank all the local sponsors and supporters - Bill's Skate Shop, Maple Ridge Cycle and Lordco Auto Parts for their believes in the minor sport of ball hockey. Next year's U15 National Ball Hockey Championship will be hosted in Waterloo, Ontario the August long weekend. Tryouts will begin in early April 2010. 2009 U15 National Champions:   |