As hockey provincials are played around Alberta, one Ponoka team is returning victorious with a gold medal win.
Ponoka’s Bantam C Moose had a strong weekend in Rimbey, winning almost all their games, including the championship match against Rimbey renegades. It was one of Ponoka’s toughest matches but they won 2-1 and earned themselves the Zone 4 Bantam C provincials banner. Coach Dwayne Rausch said he was proud of his team.
Cheers from fans were almost deafening March 16 at Rimbey’s Peter Lougheed Community Centre during the gold medal game. Both Zone 4 teams, the Ponoka Moose and Rimbey Renegades faced off for gold in a rivalry that has captured the imaginations of hockey fans this season.
“It’s what a championship game should be,” said coach Rausch.
Rimbey was the favourite to win gold after being undefeated in the series and playing on home ice. However Ponoka fans also took to the stands to show their support for the Moose players.
This was no ordinary hockey game; Ponoka lost the banner series in provincial playdowns recently at the hands of the Renegades and players were eager to return the favour, except the stakes were higher. Likewise, the Rimbey Renegades were eager to win gold after a silver medal win at provincials last year.
“We got it going in the first period. We had a little bit of a lapse in the second…But we got back those little things and managed to get that last big goal there and managed to hold them off for the last little bit,” explained team captain Lewis McDowell.
With minutes left in the first period and only four men on the ice, Ponoka’s Cooper Jones scored. The Renegades were hungry to tie up the game in the second period.
Their determination paid off and halfway through the second period they tied the game 1-1. Rimbey controlled the puck this period. Gasps and cries from parents could be heard throughout the arena. At the end of the second period the score remained tied.
In the locker room, coach Rausch brought back Ponoka’s focus and told them not to give up.
People could be heard saying the game was a real “nail biter” and “barn burner.” This seemed to be a true hockey game with the best Bantam C hockey teams in the province vying for the coveted banner.
In the third period, Ponoka appeared rejuvenated and they played a strong game against the Renegades. Determination was strong on both sides and players took hard hits but neither team could capitalize and score.
The game appeared to be headed for overtime until Jones scored his second goal with a minute and a half left in the period. Ponoka Moose fans erupted in cheers while Renegade fans hoped for a goal to tie the game, forcing Ponoka into overtime.
Despite Rimbey’s best efforts, the goal never came and Ponoka won the Bantam C provincial championships. Captain McDowell praised Rimbey players. “Probably the most competition we’ve had all year.”
Some 12 players from the Bantam team will be moving up to the midget level next season.