Peewee B Cougars win the Finals!

Heading into championship weekend, the prospects of a banner looked reasonable with four Cougars teams participating in finals. When the dust had settled on Saturday, however, the Cougars were 0-for-3. Thus, the hopes and dreams of an entire association were resting on the shoulders of a rag-tag group of Peewee B players who advanced to Sunday's B2 finals after a thrilling / heated / controversial 2-1 overtime victory over arch-enemy Blackburn.

Would there be a let down Sunday morning after such an emotional game the day before? Read on, my friend....read on.

After a tentative beginning, the Cougars got that all-important first goal when Wolfgang's shot along the ice found the mark low and away. Just over three minutes later, however, the Vipers evened the score. With a mere 00:18 seconds to go in the frame, Cory put the Cougars ahead sending the the Cougars into the second frame up 2-1.

There was no scoring in the second but as the period wound down, the tension increased and the game became chippy. Cumberland's undisciplined play lead to a two man advantage late in the period which would set the stage for the all-important final frame.

The Cougars pounced quickly and punished the Vipers on the man advantage, scoring two goals (Cory's second of the game and the other by Simon L.) in less than a minute to open up a commanding 4-1 lead. Cumberland looked like it had edged a bit closer but it's alleged goal was called back due to a high stick, which sent the opposition coaching staff into a frenzy. Perhaps to create drama and/or give the opposition a chance, the refs made a series of even-up calls late in the third. At one point, 23% of the team's skaters were in the box ( what is this, midget A?): Lily ( if penalties were goals, she'd have a hat-trick) , Curtis & Cory ( insert degree of surprise for each, here.) Much nail-biting ensued in the final three minutes but the penalty kill system ( huh?) and some HON goaltending by Dakota kept the opposition from getting any closer.

At the buzzer, gloves and sticks flew & goalies were mobbed; the celebration was on in front of a cheering throng. After the handshake and medals, the de rigeur lap with the big yellow banner was performed. A quick on-ice photo op and then it was off to the dressing room for speeches and slushies.

Thanks to a combination of solid play when it mattered, and perhaps some Divine intervention this motley group of kids saved the day for the GCMHA by bringing home the association's lone championship of the 2008-09 campaign.

Congratulations to all!

Author's note: The truth was not allowed to get in the way of a good story.

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