The Campbell River Midget Hurricanes girls hockey club may have fallen one shootout goal short of taking this weekend’s Campbell River Recreational Bantam Hockey Tournament, but their grit and determination was definitely on display at Rod Brind’Amour Arena Sunday afternoon.
After making it through to the championship final by winning their semi-final game against the Campbell River Rangers in a shootout, the girls couldn’t find the answer for Aldergrove through three periods, but stayed steadfast on defence, as well, skating to a 0-0 tie to end regulation.
Another five-minute overtime couldn’t solve it, either, nor could the first four shooters of either team in the shootout.
The fifth Aldergrove shooter, however, managed to find the answer for the puzzle that was Hurricanes Goaltender Ashley Hogg, and the Aldergrove goaltender managed to turn away the ‘Canes’ next attempt, as well, giving the visiting team the win and the Hurricanes second place in the tournament.
Other visiting teams in town for the tournament included Sooke, Port Alberni, Comox and Squamish – which along with the five local squads meant a total of 160 kids vying for medals.
Three of the five Campbell River teams made it to the semi-final round, including the Bears, who made it through their initial round undefeated before falling to eventual champion Aldergrove in their semi-final match.
The Rangers, who fell to the Midget Hurricanes in their semi-final match, managed to find the answer to the Bears, as well, giving them a third-place finish for their weekend efforts.
Neither the Campbell River Bantam Hurricanes or Campbell River Wolverines made it past the initial rounds, but both teams showed great heart and gave their opponents all they could handle.
Anne House of the tournament’s organizing committee says the tournament was a great success thanks to the efforts of parents and local businesses who supported the event.