Another season of Clippers hockey has come to a close.
The highlight of the post-season was the Pee Wee A1 team clinching the Eastman Championship on Monday, March 19 at a game in Niverville, pushing their best-of-three final series against the St. Adolphe Hawks to three full games. The Hawks won game one by a 5–3, with the Niverville/Ste. Agathe Clippers tying up the series with a 5–2 win in game two. The Clippers won the deciding third game 7–4.
But the organization’s many other teams have also ended their season on exciting notes.
“Our Initiation teams were very busy this year, using every moment for a game, practice, or tournament,” says Travis Mason of Clipper Ice Sports (CIS). “Squirts B had a great season! The all-boys team participated in two tournaments—December 9 in Steinbach and February 24 in Altona. They also played in a Manitoba Moose intermission game and in the Tim Hortons Jamboree on March 11. The team is looking forward to playing together one more time at the intermission of the Moose game on April 8.”
The veterans of this year’s Squirts B team will move up to Novice next year, including players Benjamin Raftis, Deklan Billey, and Isaac Chamberlain.
The Novice A squad lost to Steinbach in the opening round of the playoffs, whereas Novice B beat Sagkeeng in three straight games to capture the consolation banner.
“Novice B ended the season playing in the Manitoba Moose Challenge, where they beat Stony Mountain in an intense gold medal game thanks to big goals by Caleb Reimer, Dekker Dorscht, and Trae Worrell,” says Mason. “The player of the game was awarded to Brett Buros, while goalie Hudson Doerksen stood tall, allowing only one goal.”
Atom A fought a tough best-of-three final series, losing the third game to Steinbach by a 4–1 score.
CIS President Jeff Spencer reports that it’s been a great year all-around.
“Registration numbers were slightly up, and we all look forward to continuing growth next year,” Spencer says. “The CIS board are very excited about new initiatives for the next season. [We] would like to thank all coaches, managers, team safety people, tournament coordinators, referees, arena staff, and all parent volunteers for their dedication and commitment. Without all of you, we wouldn’t have had such a successful club for all these children to play in.”
