Jason Stockfish, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter | [email protected]
With hundreds in attendance, Super Sunday returned from a pandemic hiatus to showcase the exceptional level of hockey Jasper has to offer.
The first game of the day was for the 鈥淐鈥� Championship, which pitted the Sun Dog Wildrose Beavers against the De鈥檇 Dog Outlaws.
Both teams had defeated the other as the regular season came to a close, and so it was a battle of wills to see who would claim the haggard, yet coveted, 鈥淐鈥� cup.
With both teams firing on all cylinders in the second half, and the Outlaws up 3-2 thanks to the exceptional goaltending of their anchor, Cassi Allin, the De'd Dog squad were battling to fend off the onslaught of the Beavers.
In the final minute of the game, in his swan song in the local beer league, Chad Henderson, rounded the net and fired a crisp, clean pass to Mike Arsenault who was positioned perfectly out front to tap in his second goal of the match, putting the Outlaws up 4-2.
The Beavers pulled their netminder for the extra attacker but within seconds, Sean Allin, drained an empty-netter from behind his blueline, for his second, and the Outlaws fifth and final goal.
With a backhanded compliment from league commissioner (and fellow Beaver), Troy Mills, bellowing through the building, the Outlaws proudly skated off the ice preparing to put their name upon yet another championship trophy.
The second matchup of the evening had the Raven Bistro Royals facing the Whistle Stop Bongs for the 鈥淏鈥� Championship title, in what was the fiercest of the day鈥檚 matchups.
Moments after the Director of Operations Jasper Lodging with Pursuit, Richard Cooper, dropped the ceremonial puck, the high intensity and high scoring contest was underway.
In the beginning minute of the game, the Bongs鈥� Spencer Baht scored his first of four goals and, with that, the pace was set.
There was certainly no love lost between the two teams, and the game got chippier as the clock ticked away, with 26 minutes in penalties racked up during the contest.
The intermission brought a temporary stoppage to the play, but the animosity between the teams continued off the ice as the players made their way to the dressing rooms.
In the second half of the game, both teams came roaring onto the ice looking to finish the other off.
The Royals鈥� Jasmin Daigneault scored his third of the night with 8:50 remaining, but it would not be enough to fend off the Bongs鈥� five-goal second half, including two by Dan Paquet.
When the dust settled between the two battle-worn squads, the Bongs took the 鈥淏鈥� cup in a triumphant 8-5 win.
The main event featured two teams who are no strangers when it comes to the 鈥淎鈥� Championship on Super Sunday, the Jasper Brewing Co. Barley Kings and the JFI Bonestars.
The tempo was high from the get-go, and both teams were in top form.
The passes were on the money, the shots fast and furious, and the goaltenders spent much of the match standing on their heads.
The first half of the game saw five goals scored, all with less than nine minutes left on the clock.
Two of those goals were scored by the Bonestars鈥� Jack Hilworth.
With the crowd鈥檚 excitement at an apex, and ultimate bragging rights on the line, the players skated onto the ice in the second half with the Bonestars up 3-2.
There were multiple opportunities as both teams fought for control of the play.
But when Hilworth buried his hat trick goal to put the JFI squad up by two, and with their defensive game on point, the Bonestars鈥� resiliency began to show.
It was a hard-fought battle by the Barley Kings, but when the fat lady sang, it was the Bonestars who skated around the ice with the coveted 鈥淎鈥� championship trophy, as adoring fans cheered and children spilled onto the ice to congratulate the players.
As always, the 50/50 fundraiser was a success, with $1,000 going to the Stollery Children鈥檚 Hospital and another thousand going to the winner of the draw, Kira Peel, who was at the rink celebrating her 18th birthday weekend.
In an interview, Commissioner Mills explained that pulling off a successful Super Sunday takes a great deal of support from the community, not just from the hundreds of fans who come out to cheer on their teams.
鈥淧ete at the arena has done a phenomenal job with getting the ice ready. And Karen and the rest of the staff at the arena have been great,鈥� he said.
Mills also explained that financial and in-kind support from local businesses makes the fundraising possible.
鈥淵ou鈥檝e got more than just the 50/50 draw,鈥� Mills said.
鈥淟ocal businesses will donate gift certificates, and swag to support the cause. This year we鈥檝e got around a thousand dollars (in donations).鈥�
鈥淪o, you鈥檙e not just buying a chance at winning money and donating to a great cause, but you can win gift certificates and prizes from generous local businesses,鈥� Mills added.
Looking back on the festivities and excitement of the annual tradition, Mills offered his thoughts.
鈥淲e just try to piggy back year after year and make it a great community event,鈥� he said.
鈥淎nd that has evolved into what it is today, Super Sunday.鈥�
