The Cape Breton West U11 B Islanders defeated Antigonish 4-3 in overtime to win the Fundy-Highland-Strait Hockey League championship on Sunday. Members of the team include, from left: (front) Drew MacDonald, Grayson Hawley, Ryder Fortune, Callum MacLellan; (back) Ordell MacLellan, coach Krista MacInnis, Riley MacPherson, Bryden Poulette, Cullen MacLean, William van Zutphen, coach Daniel MacLennan, Tanner MacLennan, Liam MacDonald, Brody Robinson, Jace Poirier, coach Leanne MacDonald, Isyc Evans, coach Matt Swinkels, Ben Swinkels, Sean McKenna..
March 20, 2024
-by Bill Dunphy
What’s with our 10-year-old hockey players?
On the heels of the U11 AA team turning its season around, the Cape Breton West U11 B Islanders defeated Antigonish 4-3 in overtime to win the Fundy-Highland-Strait Hockey League championship on Sunday.
It was a nail-biting win against the Antigonish Bulldogs White, just after a nail-biting semifinal win over the Bulldogs Black.
“Coaching these boys has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had,” said head coach Krista MacInnis.
“I have won many tournaments, provincials, and AUS championships in my life and seeing these 10-year-old boys experience the excitement of an overtime win, where they all played 150 per cent, trumps it all.”
She said the team continuously worked hard to get better, and proved themselves on the weekend.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re AAA, AA, B, or C – working hard, making friends, playing like a team and winning a banner is what they will always remember.”
The Islanders started the tournament on Friday with 1-1 tie against the Bulldogs White. Callum MacLellan was the Islanders marksman and player of the game.
The tournament resumed Saturday morning with the Islanders defeating the Bulldogs Black 4-3.
Ben Swinkels opened the scoring five minutes into the first followed by goals from William van Zutphen, Jace Poirier, and MacLellan. Defenceman Cullen MacLean earned player of the game.
Cape Breton West wrapped up the round-robin later that day, scoring six first-period goals on the way to beating the Truro Bearcats 7-2.
Poirier notched a hat trick and linemate MacLellan adding two goals and three assists to pace the Islanders.
Swinkels and Bryden Poulette added singles, and Riley MacPherson was named player of the game.
In Sunday morning’s semifinal game against the Bulldogs Black, the Islanders carried a 1-0 lead until 13:10 of the third period when the Islanders erupted for three goals and a 4-0 win.
Scoring were Swinkels, Tanner MacLennan, Poirier, and Brody Robinson.
Ryder Fortune, with some of the top saves of the tournament, had the shutout in goal and earned player of the game honours.
Here is how the championship game went, in the words of coach MacInnis:
“The kids were gassed after four games, but played with pure heart to the very end.
“Down 1-0 after the second, Jace Poirier scored in the opening shift and the energy changed on the bench – suddenly those tired legs didn’t seem so tired!
“The Bulldogs scored going ahead 2-1 but Isyc Evans flew down the boards and picked the corner on the Bulldogs goaltender.
“Tanner MacLennan, a true leader and an all-heart player, scored to make it 3-2.
“But the Bulldogs found the back of the net with 1:31 left in regulation time and overtime was four-on-four.
“We had some set lines made if this were to be the case, but on the last shift Riley MacPherson looked up and said, ‘I’ll go, put me on,’ and those lines went out the window and the regular line of William van Zutphen, MacLennan, and Riley went on the ice. Riley went on like he was on fire, flying up the far wall, getting the puck to William, who found the back of the net with 10.7 seconds to go.”
A great end to a great season. And while the kids deserve the accolades, coaches MacInnis, Daniel MacLennan, Leanne MacDonald, and Matt Swinkels should all take a bow.
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