In a close game that had everyone in the crowd on the edge of their seats, Barrhead saw the Bantam Pirates take a well-deserved win during their first provincial game last Thursday.
In the first provincial round, the boys are facing the Stony Plain Saints. Game one was close, each team neck in neck when it came to their level of skill.
After an action-packed start to the game, Pirates player Tanner Whiting, assisted by Bradey DeRudder, managed to land the first goal nine minutes in.
Eight minutes later, Stony Plain retaliated with a goal of their own, bringing the game to a 1-1 tie.
The second period began, and both teams played as hard as they did in the first. Shots were fired by both parties, however neither team was able to score until the final minutes of the second.
With just five minutes left, the Saints were able to get the best of Barrhead and not only take a point, but take the lead.
The pressure was on with the Saints up by one, but the Pirates were ready to attack. With the seconds quickly running out, Dylan Callihoo swooped in to score a goal for Barrhead, assisted by Nick Botros.
Tension was high in the third and final period of the game. Back and forth action continued, both the Pirates and the Saints desperate to break the 2-2 tie.
With just over one minute remaining on the clock, Pirates player Bradey DeRudder put the puck into the Stony Plain net. Assists came from Tristan Cameron and Kyle Sommers.
It looked as though Barrhead had taken the win. With a mere few seconds left in the third, a shooting frenzy broke out in front of the Pirates net. As the buzzer signaling the end of the game rang out, Stony Plain snuck the puck past the Barrhead goalie.
Would the goal count? Was the game tied again? Officials huddled together on the ice to make the decision, each team waiting to see if the goal was good.
The referee dubbed the shot a no-goal, due to a high stick and the puck crossing the line just after the buzzer. Barrhead players erupted in cheers, their sticks held high in the air as they came together to celebrate in the middle of the ice.
Coach Trevor Whiting said the Pirates are up against a AA team. For the boys coming out of the 1660 league, this win is a good feat.
Whiting added it was a good, clean game, how hockey should be played. Both teams played well, but the coach is proud of how the boys held their own and worked together successfully.
“It was a total team effort from offense, defense, and goaltending. It was superb,” said Whiting. “It was back and forth, shots were close, that’s how all games should be. We couldn’t have had a better game at the right time.”
The series is total points, and the Barrhead boys are currently up by one. The Pirates take to the ice again on Wednesday in Stony Plain for the second game.
In preparation of the game, Whiting said the game last Thursday was videotaped. The coaches plan to sit down and watch the video in order to see how the boys are playing, and where they need to adapt in order to take another win.
