In 54 minutes of play Saturday night at SEAPARC, the Sooke Bantam C1 Thunderbirds came back from a 6-2 deficit to tie the Grizzlies JDF C Major team. They were up 8-7 in the third period after the go-ahead goal with 8:04 remaining on the game clock. JDF scored with 6:10 remaining on the game clock to seal the tie just before the clock struck 9:48 p.m., when the game ended.
The game was a rematch from an earlier pre-season game in which the JDF Major team was victorious.
Laced with penalties, this game including a few naughty trips, hooks and secret punches that went unseen. The level of skill however was considered Rep-level as the rivalry ensued. Players showed a high level of passion, persistence and frustration. Sooke racked up 18 penalty mintues while JDF had 14.
The Saturday night parent crowd took it all in and showed remorse neither to players nor to referees. Skaters were raucous in their disagreement with the music being played from the box after goals and whistles. Normally reserved and in-control players rammed their sticks against the ice and boards in disgust. After-whistle body checks sent players to their backsides unexpectedly.
When all was said and done it was enjoyable night of hockey, but this writer warns the readers “Don’t try this at home,” and it would be better to leave the little ones with the babysitter next time.