SPORTHOUND: Earning a Trip to the Big Show

Tales from the Timebox for April 2, 2024

Earning a trip to the big show is not easy but the Elk Point U18 Avalanche did it . Winning the gold medal is even a tougher challenge. The Elk Point Avalanche U18 traveled to Mallaig for the Hockey Alberta U18 tier # 3 provincial finals this past weekend . They failed to get past the semi finals,but they played their hearts out and their parents and grandparents and other fans were extremely proud of them regardless. .

In the first game early Friday morning at 8 am they faced off against the eventual god medal winners the Kneehill Chiefs. The Avalanche played well and outshot the Chiefs 47 to 28. But, even though the Avalanche had a lot of shots, they couldn’t seem to get any traffic in front of their goalie. The Chiefs defense were big and skilled players so the shots were from a long distance and were easily deflected or caught by their big goalie. The Chiefs won this one 4 to 1. Gavin ‘Greenlight’ Kadutski managed to deflect one along the ice just inside the post for the only Avalanche goal. Defenseman Quinton ‘Rampage’ Quinney and the ‘Kamikaze Kid’ Kade Fontaine with the assists. Goalie Mason Ehnes was between the pipes keeping this one close.

Friday evening right after the opening ceremonies the Avalanche put on quite a show of their own winning 10 to 5 over Valleyview. Kamikaze Kid Kade Fontaine getting right on top of the Valleyview goalie getting his nose dirty, he scored five goals in this one, ‘Top Gunner’ Crawford who left the first game early with an upper body injury after getting hammered hard into the end boards, came back like nothing happened. In fact stronger than ever, scoring four goals and adding three assists. Top Gunner Crawford was also backchecking like a mad man; he stopped quite a few breakaways with his speed. Another speedster set up man Greenlight Kadutski raced down the wing with the puck numerous times and assisted on five of the goals . Kaleb ‘Formula One’ Flamand not only added four assists, but he also did a lot of the grunt work. He set the tone early with a lot of the heavy duty body checking, sending players hard into the boards and springing the puck free for our lighter speedy guys. Like the ever ready energy bunny, the first year rookie Evett ‘Snoop Dog’ Smereka who can really wheel too. He played great all weekend forechecking and backchecking and penalty killing . Veteran Seth ‘Motorman’ Morton had a strong game as well scoring a goal and assisting on another. On the blue line, defenseman and team captain ‘Saint Nick’ Penner with two helpers, his sidekicks Quinton Rampage Quinney and ‘Bo Diddley’ Fontaine with one apple each, Goaltender Alex ‘Mr. Plywood’ Patterson was solid in the cage facing 32 shots.

Saturday afternoon against the Glen Lake Hawks was a must win game in order for the Avalanche to advance to the semi finals.The boys came out firing on all cylinders winning this one 6 to 1. Talented sniper Top Gunner Crawford scored two goals and assisted on two others. Greenlight Kadutski streaked down the wing with a goal and two assists. Kamikaze Kid Kade Fontaine scored a goal and assisted on two. Formula One Flamand and Kaysen ‘Dynamite’ DeMoissac found the twine with one goal each. Two helpers each for Saint Nick Penner and Snoop Dog Smereka . Goalie Mason Ehnes was outstanding in this game, facing 22 shots.

Easter Sunday morning the boys were up before sunrise to play against the Thorsby-West Bucks in the semi-final at 8am. But the outcome was not what we had hoped for, the Avalanche losing 4 to 2 . Once again it was a hot goaltender who broke their hearts. They say you have to be lucky to be good and he was both. The Avalanche boys peppered him with 56 shots, ringing some off the inside of the posts, but the Bucks goalie was zoned in and they couldn’t seem to break his bubble.

Hats off to the Mallaig parents and volunteers they put on a terrific provincial weekend. Also a big thank you to the Rogal family. Dean Rogal stepped up to take on the role of head coach. His middle son Charlie also helped out with the team. And especially his wife Mellisa who was the team manager and did all the behind scene work lining up games, but also worked the timeclock for most of the home games. And to the assistant coaches Jeff Patterson and Jacques DeMossiac who ran the doors and doctored up injured players.

Saying goodbye to the graduating players is always hard for the coaches and especially the parents. These are all really nice kids who played here from the time they were tiny tikes in U7 and we are really going to miss them. Hopefully we will see them suit up for the Elks Senior team in the next few years . Goodbye to Sam ‘Spiderman’ Rogal who was sidelined on the weekend with a broken ankle. He played on it for weeks that way and likely would have if not for the doctor’s orders. Seth ‘Motorman’ Morton, whose parents have also always been there to help with the boys over the years coaching etc. Everett Quinney who has been a nice addition to the team for the last few years. The team captain ‘Saint Nick’ Penner and the ‘Kamikaze Kid’ lKade Fontaine.