In a real life rendition of a David and Goliath story, Coastal Shredders AA spring hockey team stood up to Canada’s best and won.
The Vancouver Island team of peewee players, including Powell River’s Cameron Stevenson, Caleb Parkhouse and Michael Behan, was perceived by some in its final tournament of the season as most likely to lose. But, when they arrived in Calgary to take part in the 18th Annual Stampede Challenge Tournament all bets were off the table as Coastal Shredders met and conquered some of Canada’s best peewee hockey teams.
Tremendous hard work and team play, that had only improved as the season progressed, enabled Shredders to obliterate their first two opponents and come out of the four-game round-robin schedule undefeated. Their first-place finish earned them a semifinal match against the Skillz High Octane from the host region of southern Alberta. A fired up Shredders team played one of its best games of the season, severely burning the Octane by a score of 13-1.
Just two hours later the battle-tested Shredders played for the gold medal against Edmonton-based Cougars Selects. In a game that featured just three minor penalties, the speed, skill and exceptional team play by the Shredders was far more than the Selects could handle. The Shredders took a 4-0 lead into the first intermission and never looked back as they shredded the Selects 10-1 to earn for the “Davids” of the tournament, the Stampede Challenge Championship.
Coach Greg Fox could not have been more proud of his players. “We blocked shots, took hits to get the puck and made numerous great, and at times, unselfish plays,” he said.
The Shredders have been unstoppable this season, already winning gold in Lower Mainland tournaments, the Mainland Cup and Challenge Cup. “This season has been sensational,” added Fox. “The coaching staff worked really well together, and our manager put in countless hours to keep our season running smoothly. As for our players, the boys are amazing. Kids worked hard for one another and didn’t want to let their teammates down. It’s amazing how much you can accomplish in this game when no one person seeks credit.”
A tour of the Calgary Flames’ Scotiabank Saddledome, complete with locker rooms, training facilities, stands and ice cream, added to the memories of a very worth while trip.
