After eking out a 5-4 victory over the rival EDS Trashers, Grinders forward Tyler Hamilton got the chance to discuss his game-winning goal with opposing goalie Cedric Robert.
Nearing the end of an all-out shift that left him gassed and knowing there were just three minutes left in the tied game, Hamilton curled towards the slot from the left corner and snuck a peek at the Trashers’ netminder before launching his attack.
In the split second that he saw Robert trying to peer around a defender on the near side, the ball rocketed off his stick, just gliding past the goalie’s shoulder and pinging the back bar in the top corner of the net to set off the yells of jubilation.
The Grinders managed to hold off the Trashers’ last-ditch efforts as the final seconds of the clock wound down and flooded goalie Liam Higgins when time was finally called. With the win, they regained the first-place title that they lost in a shootout to the Trashers in the fall season.
Blades of Glory finished in third place with a 9-4 win over the Puck-Offs, while the Crotch Kickers emerged victorious by an 8-7 final from a shootout with the 4th Liners to take fifth spot. Seventh overall went to Shut Your Five-Hole in a 7-5 win over the Jets, though the Jets emerged from a consolation battle with Champagne Showers to win 9-8 and take 8th spot.
Registration is currently open for six different spring sports with the CVSSC, which start up in late April. Teams, small groups and individuals can register online at www.comoxvalleysports.ca for soccer, beach volleyball, flag football, ultimate Frisbee, slo-pitch and kickball.
For more information and to register, visit the website or contact Scott at 250-898-7286 or scott@comoxvalleysports.ca.
– Comox Valley Sports & Social Club