The bantam rep Bulldogs have captured the Vancouver Island Amateur Hockey Association banner for the 2015-16 season.
“It wasn’t just one game to win the league,” head coach David Porter said. “It was an amazing season because it was a walk-on team.”
The Bulldogs were undefeated in 10 league games, with eight wins and two ties. They clinched the Island banner before Christmas, but received their banner prior to their first home playoff game this month.
“We had great chemistry, great goaltending and a great team effort,” Porter said.
“Everyone came together and played together.”
Porter also credited the talented coaching staff of Carson McCulloch, Keenan McConnell, Ray Ursel, Darcy Nelson, Jared Crema and Mike Doucette with helping the bantams to become better hockey players.
“It was pretty awesome,” he said.
The bantam Bulldogs’ season ended last weekend when they were knocked out of the playoffs in the semi-final round by Saanich on the road.
True to the spirit of their season, the bantams were tied in a thrilling overtime game until the final 43 seconds of the first OT period when Saanich scored to win 4–3.
The bantams will have eight players returning next year, giving them a solid core to start the season, Porter said.
editor@albernivalleynews.com