2009 ILHV State Championships

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Saturday 6th June – Monday 8th June

Stadium 34, Moe

The Moe the Better

It was a chilly day in Moe, a day designed for hockey, a day in which a hockey game took place which defined and represented the efforts of everyone involved in the Victoria State Championships over the Queens birthday weekend. More on this game later.

From the Mini Me’s and Masters to the Lady’s and A graders the players were able to showcase their talents within a venue designed for such diverse age groups. Stadium 34 and its posse of do gooders prepared and provided a venue in which two games could be watched simultaneously when sitting in the right spot!  Hockey heaven for a Dad with a family spread out over the fixture!

With any tournament of 40 plus teams there are going to be logistical glitches but such bugs were held to a minimal by the tireless efforts of Cheryl McQueen. Cheryl as tournament director was the glue which allowed all other aspects to stick together and provide such a successful tournament. Don’t forget to give Cheryl a hug next time you see her!

All the hard work from Hatter and his officials to the volunteers and scorers all seem to be rewarded and celebrated by one of the most exciting games of the event. The Grand Finals for the under 16’s between the Rats and the Rangers had everyone in the packed stands on the edge of their seats as it went to triple overtime. Goals by Donal  O’Sullivan (Rats), Jack Harvey and Caleb Butler had the Rangers up 2-1 after the first half. Two more goals by Sully in the 2nd half gave him the Hatrick and a goal by Kurtis Borg for the Rangers assured the overtime. The next two periods were owned by the goalies Evan Connard (Rats) and Kenneth Stuart (Rangers) as they repeatedly denied exhaustion. It wasn’t until late in the 3rd overtime period in which Rats goalie Evan Connard turned away a Matt Stringer led rush. The play turned back to Ashley Aparacio who fed Sully to put the game away. This was Ashley’s 3rd assist of the game! Stats don’t tell the whole story as defenders staved off end to end rushes and both teams played like teams. Rats 4 – Rangers 3.

Team work and tireless effort was the net result from the kids as it trickled down from Gloria Hawken of Skate Victoria, IHLV and Stadium 34 on that chilly day in a town called Moe.

Canuck