Lab. West Midgets capture bronze at provincials

It was a bittersweet tournament for the high school graduates.

Five teams including Labrador West, Cee Bees, Marystown, Port Aux Basques, and Mount Pearl faced off at the 2010 Midget D Provincial Tournament held in the Labrador City Arena from April 5-7.

The Labrador West Lakers took bronze after winning 12-2 against Mount Pearl allowing the players to end on a high note and walk away with a good feeling, according to Kevin Bolger, Labrador West Minor Hockey Association president and Midget team coach.

His team had seven graduating students, which he thinks accounts for some of their success.

"It's bringing tears to my eyes now thinking about it," said Seamus Bartlett, Labrador West team captain and graduating student. "Not going to be with the boys anymore. Next year we're somewhere else, it's a scary thought."

He plans on continuing to play hockey in university and hopes his teammates find their own place in life.

Cee Bees took gold after winning the championship game against Marystown 6-3.

"For those two graduates, especially since it's their first title, it means a whole bunch," said Rob Button, Cee Bees coach, referring to his team's players David Fullerton and James Butt. "We're really excited."

Reflecting on the tournament, Bolger said although some of the other teams had a stronger crop of kids and his team failed to capitalize on some of its chances, it definitely had the home advantage, playing in front of parents and friends who the players wanted to impress.

"Overall they've done well," he added. "They represented their association and community well."

"Hard work and determination will win you the game," Bartlett added. "If your team has the heart then that's the team that's going to win."

"I think that everyone from start of the year our team hasn't been what everyone wanted it to be," he noted. "We've had a lot of ups and downs, more downs than ups. But I think what we did, we came a long way, that's for sure."

In the first period of the championship game, Marystown lead Cee Bees 3-2, but Cee Bees managed to pick it up and take the title.

"During intermission we just went in and told them that this is where it all counts," Button explained. "It comes down to these games. It's all in the chest, all in the heart."

He expressed his team came together and took the tournament in Labrador because of a lot of hard work and determination.

Terry Clark, Labrador West Minor Hockey Association and Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador coordinator, said he thinks the kids had a lot of fun, so he thinks the tournament was a success.

"I had a lot of feedback from the coaches and the parents that came to town, said that it was second to none," he exclaimed. "It was a well-run tournament. Everybody was really pleased, no complaints. I think everything went really well."

"I've been at this 30 years coaching minor hockey; we always put on the best show," added Bolger. "When we do a job here, we do it well."

2010 Midget D Provincial

Hockey Tournament Results

Marystown vs. Mount Pearl 11-1

Labrador West vs. Port Aux Basques 11-1

Cee Bees vs. Mount Pearl 10-0

Marystown vs. Labrador West 6-2

Cee Bees vs. Labrador West 9-2

Marystown vs. Port Aux Basques 4-1

Labrador West vs. Mount Pearl 12-2

Cee Bees vs. Port Aux Basques 8-3

Mount Pearl vs. Port Aux Basques 6-4

Cee Bees vs. Marystown 8-4

Championship Game

Cee Bees vs. Marystown 6-3

Cee Bees - Gold

Marystown - Silver

Labrador West - Bronze