The Bantam Rep Eagles capped a 11 win, four loss, three ties season by finishing in first and getting the tier three league banner.
"They wanted to win this year," said Barry Ackerman, the team coach. "I was very pleased."
The team beat Mission 5-3 to win the top spot. Squamish finished with a total of 41 points, only four points ahead of Mission. Mission had a 10-5-3 record. But the Bantam Rep Eagles had won 16 out of 18 possible sportsmanship points for keeping the penalty minutes down. Mission only achieved 14 sportsmanship points.
"They were really into the concept of team playing," Ackerman said.
Only losing two sportsmanship points boded well for the team, he said.
The Eagles now have to compete for a spot at the AA provincial championships, being held in Terrace.
The Squamish squad is in the second round of playoffs. On Feb. 18 they faced Port Moody in an away game at 9:15 p.m. The game was tied three all. Konrad Sander scored twice, and Colin Hay put a second puck in the net. The Eagles were leading the match 3-2, but Port Moody tied it up with 29 seconds left.
On Feb. 19 at Brennan Park at 8:35 p.m. the Eagles beat Port Moody 5-2. Hunter Nelson, Keegan Moore, Dylan Ackerman, Carey Cunneyworth and Colin Hay scored goals. The Eagles play another away game against Port Moody tonight (Feb. 25). The home team needs a win to advance to the Pacific Coast Championships March 4, 5 and 6.
"I'm expecting good games. I'm expecting our boys will win," Ackerman said. "They show they can play with anybody."
