Sturgeon Heights Community Centre

Mar/12

10 A1 City Champs!

ST. VITAL ARENA – Hollywood couldn’t have written a better story. The March 21st championship game between the Sturgeon Heights Blackhawks and Fort Garry Flyers Red was what the game was expected to be…a barnburner. This would be the 6th matchup between the two teams this year. Both teams ended the regular season with 31 pts, tied for top spot in the Winnipeg West League. The regular season matchups were tied at one a piece, but the Hawks had the upper hand in the playoffs, making it to the championship series by knocking the Flyers down to the B-Side with a 4-3 win in OT.

But like the determined team they are, the Flyers climbed back up the ladder, ready to redeem themselves in the championship finals. With the Hawks blasting the Flyers, 7-3 in the first game, the Flyers fought hard in game two. With the score being 2-2 after the third and OT solving nothing, the Hawks and Flyers needed to re-play game two, setting the stage for another great battle of the top teams. A fantastic back and forth game was played, and with the Hawks in the lead 3-2 and with 17 seconds left in the game, Fort Garry was awarded a penalty shot. Hawks goaltender Dylan Phillips stood his ground and made the save of the game, leading the Sturgeon Heights Blackhawks to capturing the 10A1 City Championship. The Hawks had a great regular season, posting a 15-2-1 record for 31pts and tied for top spot in the west.

Out of the combined 43 games played (Regular Season, Playoffs and Tournaments), the Hawks posted an outstanding 34-7-2 record. For 10 of the 12 members of the Hawks, this title makes 2 in a row, winning the 9A1 championship as the Bourkevale Bruins, and under the coaching staff of Kurt Gottfried, Brent Ostermann, Will Gibbs and Kurtis Robson. A championship is something to be remembered. Back to Back championships are something these boys will never forget.