The Sooke Bantam C ice hockey team cemented a perfect tournament run at the annual Cowichan Valley Bantam Tournament with a convincing 8 to 2 win over Cowichan Valley Capitals in the gold medal game on Sunday, Jan. 6.
The win as noted by coaches and managers was an all around team effort with everyone bringing their A game throughout the tournament.
Sooke’s first game of the round robin was on Friday, Jan. 4 against Saanich C, a rival from League play on lower island. The game was hard fought with a Sooke victory 7 to 4. Goal scorers included: Aiden Ostoposki (3), Dominic lacroix (2), and Marco Carello (2). Helpers were from Brad Staiccu, Zach LIndal, Brad Angus, and Dryden Alexander.
Sooke’s second game was a shutout of Victoria, 11 to 0. Goal scorers included Aiden Goluch (1), Zach Lindal (2), Dominic Lacroix (4), Aiden Ostroposki (2) Dryden Alexander (1), and Sheldon Kelly (1). Helpers were netted by Dominic Lacroix, Zach Lindal, Sheldon Kelly, Dryden Alexander, Aiden Goluch, and Aiden Ostroposki.
The MVP of the game was Dominic Lacroix. The game was fraught with penalties as Sooke racked up a total of 18 minutes, was beaten yet by Victoria whose players saw 26 in the box. Sooke goaltender Maxim Clouser stopped all 33 shots on goal in the victory. The Sooke shooters racked up a total of 40 shots on goal during the game.
The last game of the round robin was against the tough Nanaimo Clippers team where the score remained tight into the third period --- 4 to 4 with sooke pulling way to win 7 to 4. Goal scorers included: Dominic Lacroix (2), Dryden Alexander (3), Aiden Ostroposki (1), and Brad Staicuu (1) with helpers coming from Kiara Taylor and Leif Norquay Paul. Dryden Alexander, with the hat trick, was named the game’s MVP.
With a perfect 3 and 0 in the round robin, the team went up against one of their toughest opponents, the Juan De Fuca Grizzlies.
The game was back and forth with a 2 to 2 tie through second period. Sooke went up 3 to 2 and pulled away 6 to 3.
Goals were scored by Dominic Lacroix (2), Marco Carello (2), Dryden Alexander (1), Aiden Ostroposki (1) with helpers coming from Kieren Connor, Kiara Taylor, Dryden Alexander, Leif Norquay Paul, and Aiden Goluch. Game MVP was Marco Carello.
There were only six penalty minutes in the game, but a lot of shots on goal as Sooke had 40 and JDF had 39.
Sooke went through to the gold medal against the undefeated Cowichan Capitals.
The team put their best game effort of the tournmanet and came out on top 8 to 2.
Everyone played 100 per cent with outstanding performances by gold medal winning game.
MVP Maxim Clouser faced 39 shots on goal. A feisty performance was put forth by Garrett Chiasson and Eric Strain on defence to stop the top guns from Cowichan. Box score finished up Dominic Lacroix (2), Dryden Alexander (2), Aiden Ostroposki (2), Marco Carello (1), and Kiara Taylor (1) with assists from Marco Carello.
by Dean Lindal and Michael Clouser