Submitted
The Ponoka bantam A Moose played their final game of the season at the bantam B Hockey Alberta Provincial Championships held in Vermilion on March 20.
As provincial champions of Zone 4, the boys played to a loud and raucous full house as they ended up taking on the home town Vermilion Tigers in the gold medal game. Vermilion came out storming in the first period, scoring a quick three goals. In the second period the boys came out fighting hard and answered with two goals of their own scored by Dustin Bell and Colton Somerville. It was tense and thrilling third period with both teams trading several chances to score, but in the end both goalies withstood the storm and the final outcome was 3-2 for Vermilion. Ponoka takes home the silver medal.
The boys of the Ponoka Moose were naturally disappointed but they were also proud of their accomplishment. Just to get to that final game in Vermilion was a long and hard fought journey – It began with provincial playdowns back in January when the boys started out by playing two tough games against Wetaskiwin and winning the series. They then went on to play Rimbey and had to beat them in the final game in double overtime to earn the right to advance to the provincial tournament. While at the tournament Ponoka had three tough games in the round robin, winning, tying, and losing one. This earned them a spot in the semifinal where they met up with the Battle River Outlaws. They played a hard checking and speedy game and went on to a 6-2 win before meeting up with the Vermillion Tigers in the final game.