The final playoff game of Midget House hockey for the 2010-11 year was played last week between Strathcona Photo (coached by Dave Balneaves) and the Elks (coached by Mike Stevens).
The Elks, who finished last in regular season play, came out of hibernation in the playoffs to go into the final with no losses, the same record as Strathcona Photo. The final game began with the Elks taking an early lead and then building on it into the third period when their margin was 5-1.
Starting in the third, Strathcona Photo began a steady comeback and tied it 5-5 at the final buzzer. A shootout followed and on the last shootout try for the Elks, they scored to win the first-place medals.
Third place in the playoffs was won by Budget Brake and Muffler (coached by Wayne Downey) in a thrilling 3-2 overtime shootout against Courtenay Motorsport (coached by Mike Geneau). For fifth position, Re/Max Dave Proctor Realty (coached by Mike Berger) defeated Hamilton Logging (coached by Pete Tomko).
The playoff bounces didn’t happen for Contour Dental (coached by Dean Garrett) and Budget Blinds (coached by Chris Janzen). "A big thank you to the sponsors of Midget House," a spokesperson said.
The regular season was won by Budget Brake and Muffler closely followed by Hamilton Logging in second with Strathcona Photo third, Budget Blinds fourth, Re/Max fifth, Courtenay Motorsport sixth, Contour Dental seventh and the worst-to-first Elks eighth.
The Pizza Tournament held in December was won by Budget Blinds for the second year in a row in a thrilling overtime shootout over Strathcona Photo who had no luck in the shootouts.
In out of town tournament play, Budget Brake and Muffler won in Powell River, Hamilton Logging won in Port McNeill and Courtenay Motorsport finished second in Port Hardy.
"To wrap up the season, the skills competition measured the players’ hardest shot, fastest skater and the biggest appetite for pizza and pop for which we have Torry and Sons and Thrifty Foods to thank for this donation," the spokesperson said.
"Special mention goes to three coaches who are wrapping up after years as volunteer hockey coaches. Many thanks to Dave Balneaves, Dean Garrett and Pete Tomko who have all been wonderful coaches and have given their best to the kids on their teams. Another important thank you to the assistant coaches, and the parents who keep time, mark score and volunteer.
"The following are the wonderful and terrific young men and women that have played their last year of minor house hockey in order by team groupings:" Tamara Berger, Devon Eadie, Jillian Hampshire, Megan Hedican, Blair Iles, Evan Jean, Keifer Kirby, Dan Briggs, Kyrsten Buchanan, Jordan Buell, Brigitte Cattell, Joe Conway, Trent Gammon, Taylor MacLean, Alexa Nottebrock, Jesse Owen, Steven Sanger, ChrisSchrader, Tucker Tomko, Josh Torry, Guy Balneaves, Nick Bolton, Laura Hanson, Jordan Jakubowski, Ashton Martin, Braedon Martin, Mitchell Niebergal, Scott Wallace, Trevor Cochlan, Adam Dame, Randy Dyck, Jasmine Garrett, Gavin Haigh, Chris Hodge, Kelvin Lee, Chris Richards, Mitchell Skidnuk, Cole Daley, Sadie Horner, Brandon MacIsaac, Tyler Matsuda, Joel Stich, Jessica Hiebert, Dominic Point, Carson Schreiner, Matt Young, Keith Green, Nathan Ward.
"Good luck to all of you and hopefully your hockey gear will be used in the adult leagues," the spokesperson said.