Sometimes the Steelers’ opponents this season were bigger, sometimes faster, sometimes luckier.
Never, however, were they gutsier, never more focused, never more determined.
It is these characteristics that Steelers’ manager Troy Wharton applauded as he reflected on a campaign capped off by two stunning successes.
This month the Steelers became champions of 2014 Midget B Provincials, just weeks after claiming the Zone 3 championship with an 8-3 aggregate victory over Edson.
“It has been a magical season,” Wharton said last Wednesday. “They are a group of kids who played really hard. It is amazing what they achieved when they put their minds to it.
“Some of the teams they have played this year have been a little bigger and quicker, but they pulled together and topped off the season with a provincial championship. It’s great, something to be proud of.”
Shortly before speaking, Wharton had joined the Steelers on the Agrena ice to parade banners proclaiming them Midget B Zone 3 and Provincial champions. Also present were coaching staff, including head coach Jason Murrell.
Photos were taken to memorialize a glorious season that does Barrhead proud.
Wharton tried to put the Provincial championship victory in perspective. He reckoned Barrhead had won about five provincials since 1967.
It means the Steelers of 2013/14 vintage are in elite company.
“It is a very rare feat,” he said. “A lot of kids don’t see the provincial championships because they don’t make it.
“It’s tough to get there. You have to go through the zones and once there you are up against seven other teams. It requires a lot of work and you have to have the right frame of mind and the right coaching staff.”
In the Provincials in Edson, the Steelers began by beating the Hughenden Jets 5-1 and followed up with an 8-3 victory over Vulcan Hawks. In the semi-finals they triumphed 3-0 against a mighty Vermilion team – Murrell described it as one of the Steelers’ best team games of the year.
After a narrow defeat to the Innisfail Flyers, the Steelers had a chance to redeem themselves in the gold medal game. They did so with a 4-2 victory over the Flyers that was as much about character as skill.
Had Wharton, even in his wildest dreams, anticipated such an outcome?
“Honestly, you really don’t know what to expect at this level,” he said. “You don’t know how skilled the teams are going to be.”
He added the Steelers’ success was all the sweeter because it came against Innisfail, a team that had proved a regular thorn.
“These are the two teams that have battled for supremacy all year,” said Wharton.
The Provincials provided the exclamation point to a season in the North Central Minor Hockey League that has seen the Steelers travel to such places as Rocky, Ponoka, Red Deer, Stettler … and, of course, Innisfail.
In regular season, the Steelers recorded 18 wins, four ties and three losses.
“It has been a good year and a lot of travelling,” said Wharton. “But now is end of the season. It is time for a little bit of fun.”
