Back in September, there was no certainty that Jasper would even have a Bantam team, let alone have a playoff champion team.
But with some dedicated work to attract kids who hadn’t played in a few years, coaching commitments from Gary Hilworth—the wise old man of Jasper hockey—and from Mathieu Belliveau—new to town but an experienced coach in his own right—and support from affiliated PeeWee players, this team hit the road.
Nineteen games later, sporting an 8–9–2 record, the Bearcats found themselves at the top of the “B” pool in the playoffs. They trounced Slave Lake in the semi-final and waited for the outcome of the other semi-final matchup that pitted Wabasca against Whitecourt.
Wabasca quickly came out victorious in that round, necessitating a hastily arranged game between the two teams to kick off the best-of-three series. Game 1 was scheduled for Hinton, given the paucity of ice time in Jasper.
Everyone was expecting a tight battle, given that these teams had played two tight games during the regular season and each won once. But this was not to be the case. Perhaps it was the long road trip for the Royals. Maybe playing without their top player was too much for them. Maybe Jasper was just particularly jazzed on that day.
Whatever the reason, the game was a blowout with the Bearcats walking away with an easy victory on the strength of goals from Hunter Zenner, Cooper Hilworth, Matthew Park, Rhys Malcolm, Hayden Hart, Bennett Paltzat, Brendan Auger, Drew Tank and Crimson Derbowka.
Although defenseman Kolby Kongsrud didn’t score, he had a couple of assists and was a big part of the reason that goalie Severin Golla only had to handle seven shots on goal.
If this reads to you like the Jasper roster, it is. Walter Ostrander and Nathan Howes, also prominent Jasper skaters, didn’t make the scoresheet, but they weren’t at the game due to a skiing commitment and illness, respectively.
If this game was without intrigue, the following week was not. The series was supposed to be best two out of three, but due to the travel distances, the teams agreed to a two-game series, total goals. This comes with the corollary that a victory in the first game by 10 or more goals negates the need for game two.
This game doubled that expectation, but it wasn’t clear whether a game two would happen. It wasn’t until the 11th hour that the decision was finalized, cancelling plans for a return seven-hour trip to the northern Alberta boreal forest. Jasper was declared victors of the “B” playoff pool, having played only two games and dominating both. Mayerthorpe won the “A” pool, which was a safe bet after the first game of the regular season.
League play is now done for the Bearcats, but some hockey remains. Next weekend is their home tournament, so come out and support that event with a lot of high action hockey to be seen.
Then in August they will participate in an Edmonton organized tournie here in Jasper.
Congratulations on a wonderful championship season, Bearcats.
The season that almost didn’t happen turned out to be both fun and exciting. We look forward to the team’s continuation next year.
John Wilmshurst
Special to the Fitzhugh
