Sixth time lucky

The sixth time was the charm for Gander's Scott Young.

After reaching the finals of the Newfoundland and Labrador Senior Hockey League five times - once with the Gander Flyers, and twice with both the Badger Bombers and Deer Lake Red Wings - the 42-year-old defenceman finally got his hands on the Herder Trophy, when the Clarenville Caribous defeated the Conception Bay North CeeBee Stars 7-4 in Game five of the Telegram Herder Memorial Trophy Championship Series on Sunday in St. John's.

"I don't think it's sunk in yet, to be honest with you," said Young after returning home to Gander on Monday. "We had quite the party Sunday night, and I just got back off the road today. So tonight I'm just going to relax with my girlfriend and let it all sink in."

The scene on Mile One Centre ice on Sunday was familiar to another famous trophy presentation back in 2001. When NHL Hall of Fame defenceman Ray Bourque captured his first Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche, captain Joe Sakic handed the Stanley Cup straight to Bourque. Jump ahead nine years later, and Young received the same kind of veteran treatment.

"They told me that (captain) Dustin Russell was going to hand me the trophy right away...I didn't know anything about it," said Young. "It was great of them to do something like that. It was pretty special to say the least."

Young actually started the year with the Gander Rec Flyers and had no inkling to play any senior hockey at all this season. However, shortly after the calendar turned to 2010, the Caribous called looking for some depth on the blue line. At 42, Young packed up his gear in search of the Herder Trophy that somehow evaded him five times before.

He played seven regular-season games for the Caribous, and recorded two penalty minutes. He also dressed for all 14 games in the playoffs, where he scored a goal.

"I don't know why I told them yes. I had no plans on playing senior this year," said Young. "I think it's always in the back of your mind that you can get another shot at winning the Herder. Looking back it now, I'd glad I told them yes."

Young will also remember the game for more than the memorable lap around the rink with his first Herder. Young was actually ejected from the game with about three minutes left in the second period for hitting from behind. While his teammates were building on their already big lead, Young was back in the dressing room.

"It was a bad call," said Young. "The two of us were racing for the puck, and he turned (his back to me) at the last second. I came back to the bench with a few minutes left in the third and the boys were up 7-4. Everybody was standing, and everybody was celebrating...to say it was pandemonium would be an understatement."

With the win, the Caribous will head to Fort St. John, B.C., to compete for the Allan Cup, April 19-24. Young has a few weeks to prepare for what will no doubt be the biggest tournament of his hockey career.

"We have a few weeks to heal our bumps and bruises, and we'll be ready to go," said Young. "Everybody is going there with the same goal, and that's to win the Allan Cup."

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