It was a grim outlook for opposing teams hoping to score on the Langley Reapers.
The bantam hockey team allowed just a combined six goals in five games to claim the Paul Brenner Memorial Bantam Hockey Tournament title last week (Jan. 5 to 8) in Chilliwack.
It was the team’s second tournament title of the season.
“The coaching staff is incredibly pleased with how the team has progressed to this point in the season and the level of commitment that every player is showing to the team,” said head coach Kevin Taylor.
“Winning two tournaments in a season is tough to do and the team showed great poise and determination.”
“The team battled through adversity and overcame many obstacles throughout the tournament,” he added.
“They showed great discipline, commitment and personal sacrifice to remain highly focused on the outcome.”
The Reapers defeated Chilliwack C2 3-1 in the championship final.
“We played a structured and methodical game in the championship final,” Taylor said. “We did what it takes to win.”
With the referee pocketing his whistle and letting the teams battle physically, Langley showed great discipline in staying out of the box.
Ciaran Wessel earned the game MVP award, banging home a rebound from in front to open the scoring. Hayden Davies chipped in an assist as well and Brennan Early earned the sportsmanship award.
Langley had finished second in their pool with a 2-0-1 record but knocked off the No. 1 team from the other pool, Abbotsford C4, 2-0 in the semifinals behind shut-out goaltending from Dominic Williams. Mark Napier was game MVP, scoring once, while Emmett Fast also had a strong game and Steven Chambers was solid along the blue-line.
In the opener, Nick Romero had a goal and an assist in a 6-2 win over Chilliwack C2, to earn game MVP honours. The sportsmanship award went to Curtis Goode who finished the game with two goals and an assist. Defenseman Shane Taylor also chipped in with an assist for Langley.
Tyson Burgess earned game MVP honours after scoring a hat trick in a 7-1 win over Chilliwack C6. The sportsmanship award went to Eric Nordal who assisted on the first goal while Braeden Macdonald also scored a goal for Langley.
And in the team’s final round robin game, Langley battled back from a 1-0 deficit to tie Abbotsford C4 2-2. Game MVP Mark Napier scored the first goal for Langley driving to the front of the net and banging in a loose puck before getting knocked on his butt by the Abbotsford defenseman. The sportsmanship award went to Steven Chambers who played a great game on defense for Langley. Emmett Fast played a strong game at forward for Langley.
