Some of Jasper’s young hockey players are having an excellent start to the season. The Midget Bearcats thrilled home fans Saturday night with a come-from-behind victory over their visitors from Plamondon.

“It was an entertaining one, that’s for sure,” said Bearcats coach Lloyd Lafrance.

Down 2-0, the Bearcats fought back to tie on goals from Curtis Horton and Taylor Van Tighem and then had to battle through a five-minute shorthanded situation after Van Tighem was ejected for a check to the head.

“He caught the young gentleman with his head down,” Lafrance said. “His intention wasn’t to hurt him.” The Plamondon player suffered a cracked jaw and lost several teeth.

Having held on to the tie, Jasper was rewarded with the winner just three minutes from time. Nathan D’Heer played the hero on this occasion, but his coach credited the entire team with the victory.

“We’ve got a group of young, coachable kids who aren’t afraid to work,” he said. “I can’t single out one individual. It’s been a team success.”

Last season, the Bearcats won the Sturgeon-Pembina regular season league championship before advancing to the provincial tournament and finishing fifth. Lafrance confirms that the intention is to do it all again.

With about 13 players returning from last year’s squad, it’s easy to see why the Bearcats are well on their way to achieving those goals.

It might be early in the season, but they have only lost once and tied on one occasion.

The Midget team play’s next weekend on the road in Plamondon and Slave Lake but returns to the arena for home games on December 3 and 4 against Whitecourt.

This weekend, the Bantam Bearcats take to the Activity Centre ice against Boyle on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The Jasper Pee Wee Bears are also in action, hosting their home tournament. The Bears play North Seera at 8 a.m. and Morinville at 6:15 p.m.