There is a marked difference between winning and being successful.
There are plenty of sayings that describe this; one step backwards and two steps forward, lose the battle but win the war, victory from the jaws of defeat. None of these clich茅s really describe what the Jasper Bantam Bearcats experienced last weekend in their playoff final against the Devon Drillers, but one thing was clear to all witnesses: our Bearcats demonstrated a season of achievement in their two-game, total-goals, final series.
Having unexpectedly defeated Slave Lake two weekends ago, thanks in large part to another stand-up performance by rookie goaltender, Duncan McLeod, the Bearcats found themselves up against the regular season champs, Devon, who had waltzed with ease into the final.
Midway through the season, Jasper was pummelled by Devon 10鈥�3. In more recent play, Jasper has been able to turn the tables on the Drillers, but there was no getting away from the fact that they were in tough against Devon.
Another element to the drama was the busy lives our boys lead in our enlightened town. For years, Grade 9 kids in Jasper have participated in a Quebec exchange program known as SEVEC. A few weeks back, a group of boys and girls from la belle province visited Jasper, and on Saturday morning, the Grade 9 French immersion kids were flying east.
Game one of this two-game series was slated for Friday evening in Devon, but game two would take place back in Jasper on Saturday with half of our team, and almost all of our second year players en route to Quebec.
Facing the league鈥檚 number one team with all hands on deck was daunting enough, but playing for all the marbles with just six skaters seemed preposterous.
This is how the preposterity鈥攁nd yes, I know that鈥檚 not a word鈥攑layed out.
On Friday, as a unit, the Bearcats played the game of their lives and earned a decisive victory over Devon. Magnus Stenlund, who has been playing forward lately, returned to defense beside Matthew Park, Drew Tank, Tyler Carlton and Trenton Rea, and was without question the player of the game. He scored a goal, set up a couple more and prevented many more with his outstanding defense.
For his part, Troy Jackson played a game that he, and his exuberant mom, will not soon forget. Critically, he scored Jasper鈥檚 first goal, assisted by linemates Rhys Malcolm, who was good for three goals of his own, and Saturday鈥檚 hero Joel Peleshaty.
Jackson demonstrated the kind of jam on the ice that inevitably leads to success.
Between the pipes, Severin Golla had a career game. Keeping the puck out of the net is as much a numerical necessity in hockey as it is a psychological imperative for the team. Golla made huge saves when they counted, only allowing one even-strength goal the entire game.
Add Cooper Hilworth鈥檚 three goal performance, Elvis Goronsky-Slack鈥檚 deft play-making and Hunter Zenner鈥檚 tenacity in the offensive zone, and you have the makings of an impressive 10鈥�6 victory for Jasper in game one of the two-game series.
Game two was perhaps one of the most memorable in Jasper minor sports history. Jasper鈥檚 six skaters faced Devon鈥檚 14. The Bearcats had to hold the Drillers to a three-goal or less differential to win the series.
They were able to do this until late in the second period thanks to Coach Gary Hilworth鈥檚 brilliant strategy of gain the red-line, dump and wait. But then fatigue overwhelmed Jasper and Devon was able to score enough goals to overcome Jasper鈥檚 four-goal lead from Friday鈥檚 game, taking home the banner.聽
There is no question that Devon is this year鈥檚 winners of the 1660 Bantam League. They played well and earned the right to make that claim. But this does not negate the success the Jasper Bearcats achieved last weekend and throughout the 2015-16 season.
Hockey is now over for the Bantams, but they should all look back fondly on the year and take pride in their accomplishments.
John Wilmshurst Special to the 51暗网
