The C-Hawks shook off a game two loss less than 24 hours earlier to win 6-2 in Virden on April 14. That allowed them to win the best-of-three finals, 2-1.
“I think the difference in game three was our team defence throughout the game,” C-Hawks coach Garth Mitchell said. “Cory Gardham had a solid first period and our defence corps played a very solid game. We were able to hold a team with that much firepower and offensive ability to just a combined eight shots over the last two periods speaks volumes to everyone’s commitment to defence - shot blocking and paying the price all over the ice.”
Miniota-Elkhorn got by the Aces, 5-4, in game one on April 6 in Virden. On April 13, the Aces responded with a 7-2 win in Niverville. C-Hawks defenceman Dillin Stonehouse said:
“On Saturday, we got behind quickly with a few short-handed goals and we weren’t able to gain much momentum.
“Sunday, we knew we had to play harder and a bit more of a simple game. We had to get more pucks on the net and stay out of the penalty box. The Saturday game we lost 7-2, we gave up five shorthanded goals. We kept saying it was a 2-2 game even strength. I felt like the pulse in the room Sunday was really positive especially after just losing 7-2 the night before. I think the older team that we are just knew what needed to be done to give us a chance to win.”
In the final contest, the C-Hawks led 2-0 after the first period and were up 4-0 at the second intermission. Taylor Sanheim lit the lamp twice. Also scoring for Miniota-Elkhorn were Curtis Gardham, Shawn Bowles, Zeanen Zeimer, and Tanner Kyle. C-Hawks goalie Cory Gardham made 19 saves to defeat the South Eastern Manitoba Hockey League champions.
“Ste. Anne is a very skilled hockey team, and we knew that,” Stonehouse said. “We knew our work ethic needed to be there. We had to stay out of the penalty box, keep their skilled forwards in front of us at all times, and get as many pucks as we could at the net …”
The provincial title comes after the C-Hawks flew to their second straight Tiger Hills Hockey League championship. They only dropped one game in the league playoffs and posted a 16-2-0-0 regular season record. Mitchell said it was an “absolute team effort” to win both the THHL title and the provincial championship.
“Our goaltending and defence was outstanding all season and the offence was from a talented, hard working group of forwards,” he said.
The C-Hawks are certainly a tight-knit team. Many players on the senior squad now playing in the THHL won North Central Hockey League championships together on the C-Hawks. The team features four sets of brothers. In addition, many players grew up as teammates. The coaching staff knows the group well.
“The enjoyment comes from having had the opportunity to coach and to have had the chance to be involved in their development through their minor hockey careers,” Mitchell said. “Now seeing them all play together at this level- with this much success and proudly represent their communities of Miniota, Elkhorn and McAuley - is very satisfying.”
