Beothics discover silver at home

The Wesleyville Atom Beothics could have come away from the Hockey Newfoundland and Labrador Steele Hotels Provincial G Championships without a medal, and still would have left the rink smiling.

Thanks to a gritty effort from the 12 young players, however, that theory was never tested. The Beothics went 3-1-1 in the round robin before losing to a strong Mount Pearl Blades team in the final to win the silver medal in front if the hometown fans in Wesleyville, April 8-10.

According to head coach Kendall Humphries, there's no way he could be any prouder of his team.

"I'm really proud of the boys...they really worked hard," said Humphries. "They started off a little slow, but as the tournament went on, they got stronger, stronger and stronger. I was really impressed."

Although Humphries was impressed with how the team worked on the ice, he was left in awe at the attitude of such a young team. While playing the Blades in the final round-robin game for both squads, the Beothics were down 10 goals heading into the final period. As the officials got rid of some excess water on the ice, the hometown boys pounded their sticks on the ice and boards to the rhythm of Queen's We Will Rock You. It didn't take long for the fans to get into the act, which according to Humphries, created an atmosphere that signifies what minor hockey is truly all about.

"They always enjoy themselves, no matter what the score, and I can't say enough about that. They enjoy the game of hockey, they have fun when they're on the ice, and that's what minor hockey is all about," he said. "The parents were cheering and it was just a great atmosphere in the rink. It was too bad the championship game wasn't a bit closer, but that's all you can do. But in saying that, the kids still seemed like they were enjoying themselves, and they were extremely happy when they got their silver medals."

Kyle Gaulton was one player who wore his silver medal with immense pride. To him, playing the game means more than winning medals. It's about getting the opportunity to play the game he loves with a group of people he gladly calls his friends.

"It makes me happy," he said of the game of hockey. "I got to play at home, in front of my family and friends, and win a medal with all of my teammates, who are also my friends."

Gaulton, whose favourite player is Sidney Crosby and favourite team is the Toronto Maple Leafs, said he loves it when the fans cheered the Beothics on. Whether the team was ahead, or behind, he said the cheering section always got the team going.

"It gets me excited," he said. "When everyone starts cheering in the stands, it pumps us up on the ice."

In fact, it was the enthusiasm of the crowd, as well as the players, that Humphries looks back upon. During a game against the Clarenville Caribous, a game in which the winner advanced to the championship game, the host team was down 2-0 heading into the second period. After a pair of goals tied it, Humphries said the atmosphere was electric, and eventually carried his team to a 5-2 win.

"The fans were cheering in the stands and the boys were loud on the bench...I can't say enough about that," he said. "As a coach, it was great to watch and great to be a part of."

Wesleyville wrap-up

The Beothics opened the provincial G tournament against the Corner Brook Royals in a game that was the unofficial coming out party for Dylan Humphries, who led the team in round-robin goals with seven.

Kris Winter, who finished behind Humphries in goals with five, opened the scoring 2:43 in, and Alex Kean scored just minutes later to give the Beothics a 2-1 lead after the opening frame.

After a goalless second period, Humphries gave his squad a 3-1 lead with a goal 5:17 into the final period, and the Beothics were able to hold on to a slim 3-2 opening-game win.

In the team's next game later in the day, the boys wouldn't let the opposition get as close as the Royals. James Winter, Kris Winter and Humphries each tallied singles in the first, as the Beothics came out guns blazing against the St. John's Caps. Kean added another in the second, and Humphries finished the scoring with a single in the third, as Mackenzie Landry earned his first shutout of the tournament, 5-0.

The team dealt with its first bit of adversity in its opening game on day two against the Conception Bay Regional Renegades. Thanks to singles from Humphries in the first and second periods, the Beothics seemed to be on its way to another victory. However, the Renegades battled back with a pair of goals in the third to earn the tie.

At 2-0-1, the Beothics met the Caribous to determine who would play the Blades in the championship game. The Caribous scored a pair in the first and had the Beothics on its heels early in the contest.

However, thanks to singles from Humphries and Kris Winter in the middle frame, the game was up for grabs in the third. It didn't take long for the Beothics to take its first lead of the game in the final stanza, as Kean scored his first of two just 1:37 in to give his team a 3-2 advantage. Humphries scored 85 seconds later to up the lead to 4-2, and Kean sealed it for the home side with roughly three minutes left in the game, and the Beothics earned a trip to the finals with a 5-2 win.

The Beothics played the powerhouse Blades in its final game of the round robin, and although the hosts lost 12-2, they were able to score more goals against Mount Pearl than any other team. Kris Winter and Humphries provided the scoring with single markers in the second period.

The Beothics then met the Blades in a rematch for the gold, but the Blades once again came out on top, this time by a score of 10-2. Detailed scoring of the game not available by The Beacon's deadline.

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