Facing their Island arch-rivals in the first game of the vaunted Hyack Tournament in New Westminster last weekend, the bantam A Cowichan Thunder knew they’d be setting the tone for the entire tournament with the result of their match against the Saanich Tigers.
“We knew if we beat Saanich we’d do well in the tournament,” Cowichan head coach Gord MacDonald said.
The Thunder ended up defeating Saanich 5-3, then went on to take the tournament gold medal.
Josh MacDonald led the way in the opening game last Friday with three goals and one assist, while Dawson Elzinga scored twice and added one helper.
The Thunder continued their roll the next day with a 10-3 win over Surrey. Josh MacDonald scored twice and set up three other goals, while Jake McCluskey and Joshua Wong had two goals and one assist apiece, and Elzinga and Luke Ellison finished with one goal and two helpers apiece. Drake Spong and Parker Klippenstein scored the other goals.
Later that same day, Cowichan edged Semiahmoo 4-3 on a hat trick by MacDonald and one goal from Elzinga.
Sunday started off with a 6-4 win over Coquitlam. Elzinga had two goals and two assists, MacDonald scored twice and added two helpers, Austin Webb had a goal and one assist, and Dominic Adelborg also scored.
The same two teams squared off again later that day in the tournament semifinal, which Cowichan won 5-3 behind two goals by Elzinga and one each by Wong, McCluskey and Webb.
That win propelled the Thunder to the Hyack final on Monday, which they won 9-7 over Mission. MacDonald came up big in the big game with four goals and one assist, while Elzinga scored three times and added a helper. Klippenstein and Webb each had a goal and one assist, and McCluskey finished with two assists.
Whether or not they contributed to the scoring, everyone on the team had a part in the Thunder’s success, according to coach MacDonald.
“All the boys had a great time,” he said. “They played hard. All the guys who didn’t make the scoresheet helped out with picks and great defence.”
Cowichan’s secret weapon is having two reliable goalies — Jackson Owen and Clayton Rankin — both of whom MacDonald counts among the best in the province.
“Having two goalies was a real asset to us.”
After a slow start to the season, things are coming together for the bantam A Thunder, who have their sights set on a strong showing at provincials. Most of the same players won bronze medals at the peewee provincials the last two years.
“We’re hoping to finish well at provincials, MacDonald said. “That’s our goal.”