The Mainland Hockey tournament held in Vancouver, April 15-17, proved to be just what the WCEHA 2001 Storm needed to start their season.
The Elite are an Atom spring hockey team based out of the North Island, comprised of boys from Powell River, Port McNeill, Gold River, Courtenay and Campbell River. The team played five games over the weekend and ended the tournament with a 5-0 record. The first game played, was against the PHD Prospects, and ended in a 7-3 win for the Storm.
Next up were the South Fraser Elite, and what turned out to be, three periods of nail biting action. The Storm managed to come out on top again with a 4-3 win. The Storm dominated their next game against the Jr. Flames with a 8-1 victory, and headed into the semi-finals strong and determined.
The BC Kodiaks fought hard to win, but in the end, the Storm proved themselves again, by winning 4-2. The championship game was played on Sunday and the Storm were once again, battling against the South Fraser Elite.
The Fraser Elite were up 2-1 with two minutes left in the third period when a beautiful goal by Caleb Parkhouse tied the game at 2-2. River Fahey scored the game winning goal with 22seconds left on the clock, making the 2001 WCEHA Storm the gold medal champions. Both teams showed tremendous heart and determination, but none more so than Storm goalie Cameron Stevenson who played the entire weekend while sick with the flu. Stevenson was rewarded as the final game MVP. Other game MVP’s awards were given to Noah Fladager, Logan Nijhoff, Jackson Dyke, and River Fahey.
The team is now preparing for their next conquest, The Challenge cup, in May. The Team paid tribute to their sponsor Ken Kennedy and K&D Contracting.