Jasper Bantam Bearcats defeat Leduc in C final

Last weekend was a busy one for minor hockey in Jasper. 

The Bantam Bearcats obliterated Leduc 10-2 in the C final of a provincial playoff Sunday morning.

Coach Brian Ewald said the team used the weekend as a “tune-up” for the upcoming provincial championship in Jasper from March 12 to 15. After winning the bid to host the championship, the Bearcats won themselves a spot to play in it as well.

Hopefully, winning Sunday’s game will give the team the confidence they need heading into the championship. “The guys actually bought into the short shifts and hard work philosophy and it paid off, and both our goalies did exceptionally well,” said Ewald.

Though the Bearcats had a weak start Saturday, Leduc didn’t have a chance in Sunday’s game. “With this age of kids, that’s what happens – some days they’re on, some days they’re off,” he said. “It took a couple of games to get refocused.”

“Hopefully they’ll have it sorted out (for the championship).”

The Atom Bears provincial team lost to the Athabasca Hawks 5-1, and the Novice Bears lost 8-4 to Hinton.