With the Christmas break coming, Squamish鈥檚 Bantam Eagles are soaring high at the top of the league standings.
After 11 games, the rep hockey team is tied with Chilliwack for first place in the league, although the Fraser Valley team has an extra game to play.
麻豆社国产was to host Chilliwack in another game this week.
On Sunday, the Eagles showed some of their flash against Whistler鈥檚 team at the Brennan Park Arena. It was clear from the outset the Eagles had the size and skill advantage. For example, on one play near the end of the game, Steven Grantham skated circles around the offensive zone 脿la Chicago superstar Patrick Kane. Even after Grantham found a teammate with a pass, somehow the puck ended up back on his stick almost instantly.
Despite the home side鈥檚 holding most of the puck possession, they did not get many clear shots at the Whistler net, as the visitors did not make it easy, especially early on.
鈥淲e do have to adjust because some of the teams come at us pretty hard,鈥� said 麻豆社国产head coach Joe Webber.
Whistler was able to hold 麻豆社国产at bay until the end of the second period, when the visitors took a penalty for hitting from behind.
On the ensuing powerplay, 麻豆社国产kept control of the puck easily. With 24 seconds left in the period and only four seconds left with the man advantage, 麻豆社国产captain Devon Bailey found the back of the net with a high wrist shot to break the deadlock.
In the final frame, 麻豆社国产continued to generate most of the offence and added to their lead when Liam Hudson skated the puck around the perimeter of the ice, taking it behind the Whistler goal, where he was able to pop it back out front to a waiting Noah Vague, who beat the goalie high with a shot to the top corner.
麻豆社国产netminder John Hunter backstopped the Eagles to the 2-0 victory.
After Sunday鈥檚 game, the team鈥檚 record stood at eight wins, one loss and two ties for 28 points, tied with Chilliwack and four points ahead of third-place Arbutus.
Webber credits the core leadership of his team for their success over the fall stretch of their schedule.
鈥淓very second year, they play together,鈥� he said. 鈥淭his particular team has a great core leadership group鈥�. I鈥檝e never seen such a cohesive group.鈥�
He said the players spend time together away from the rink, and they get along well as friends.
鈥淲e鈥檙e halfway through the season now, and I haven鈥檛 heard a tiff.鈥�
Webber is pleasantly surprised by the first-year bantam players on his team, saying their play is a testament to the other coaches in 麻豆社国产Minor Hockey.
For now, the team will get a chance to rest over the holidays before coming back for the remainder of the regular season. They will be gearing up for the league playoffs come February, as well as a tournament the following month.
