A men’s rec hockey team from Terrace took a holiday hockey trip to Florda with their wives recently, clinching a rec tournament title in Fort Lauderdale.
Organized by Canadian Hockey Enterprises, the tournament is advertised as a vacation package including “hockey and the beach… soft sand, cool drinks and bikinis.”
The Ruins Board Shop team played in the 35+ division April 20-22.
They finished third in the round robin with two wins and one loss — short of finals and one point behind second place Fireballs from Farnham, Quebec.
When Fireballs folded due to too many injuries, the Ruins were bumped up to finals, a rematch against Mega Pompe from Mont St-Hilaire, Quebec — the team they lost to in round robin 3-2.
The score was tied 2-2 with eight minutes left, and Ruins’ assistant captain Travis Lamming recounts the final minutes:
“It was coming down to the wire when Ruins’ Norm Laderoute battled a puck out of corner and shot it on net. Lamming retrieved the rebound and buried [the puck] over a sprawling Mega Pompe goalie to give Ruins the lead 3-2.”
Lamming says Ruins’ goalie Mark Wilson made a “huge right kick save” in the final seconds to preserve their lead, securing the 3-2 win for the Ruins.
“It was an absolutely crazy finish to the tournament,” said captain Tyler Wilson in a write up from the team.
“Our wives were with us and supported us all tournament long with the B.C. flag proudly waving in the stands and cow bells ringing.”
Individual Player of the Game awards went to Travis Lamming, Dylan Lefebvre, Aaron Croft and Chad Casper.