Terrace’s midget rep hockey team wrapped up a roller-coaster season this past weekend with zone playoffs March 4th and 5th in Prince Rupert.
The team’s season came to an end just short of provincials, when it tied one game and lost two at zone playoffs, placing third out of three teams.
“We had a very up and down season,” said coach Zane Testawich, adding at times the team played with the passion of a championship calibre team, and at other times they played like they didn’t care if they won or lost.
The team tied the first game 4-4 on Friday night against Prince Rupert, holding the lead right until the end, when Prince Rupert tied the game with 3:25 left on the clock.
“Kyle Gray had an outstanding game in goal for our team, but we let Prince Rupert back in the game,” Testawich said.
The team got a whopping from Smithers during the second game on Saturday morning with Dawson Kluss in the net. Smithers was up 6-0 into the second period, and even though Terrace chipped away Smithers’ lead with two goals, the team lost 7-2.
“Saturday morning vs. Smithers the boys were not prepared mentally,” said Testawich. “If we would have played to our potential, we could have challenged Smithers for the championship and the right to move on to provincials.”
The team played Kitimat that evening, coming in with a 1-0 lead in the first, but the losing the lead and ending the second in a draw 1-1. Both teams hustled in the third, but Kitimat scored again and managed to hold onto a 2-1 win, pushing Terrace out of the tournament.
“Saturday evening vs Kitimat was a very emotionally filled game,” said Testawich, explaining both teams were ready to give it their all as they competed for their spot in the finals. “The game went back and forth with end-to-end action,” he said.
However, despite falling short of provincials this year, Testawich is optimistic looking ahead.
“With the experience of the provincial tournament in their back pocket, many of the upcoming Bantam Rep players will be a good asset to this team next season,” he said. “There will also be a good mix of midget aged players, who did not make the Rep team this year competing for spots, in turn making for a very competitive tryout camp.”
Third-year players, who will be finished playing minor hockey, are Joel Findlay, Kody Keller, Dave Lewis, Chris Bergey, Kyle Gray, Marc Schibli, and Will Westby.
