Coyotes howl after successful season

By Mario Prusina Times Editor

It was the season to remember for the East Wheatland Athletic Association (EWAA) Coyotes U15 Tier 3 hockey team.

After a dominating regular season, in which they posted a 11-2-3 record, the Coyotes defeated Strathmore (Black) in the first round and Oyen in the second round of the league playoff bracket.

The team then went 2-1 in the U15 Tier3W White round robin playoffs and had to wait until all games were complete and the tiebreakers assessed before officially being named the league champions.

“It was a great experience from start to finish; this group grew a lot over the year, not just as hockey players but as teammates,” said head coach Jay Schultz. “They learned how to handle tough moments and stick together and that’s what carried us through to the championship. As the playoffs went on there was more at stake, more intensity, more fans and the kids responded in kind and elevated their game.”

Throughout the year, the Coyotes were unable to secure a win against Oyen, the only team in the tier that consistently had their number. That set the stage for a dramatic showdown, as the two teams met in the final for league playoff bracket.

In Game 1 of the two-game, total-goals series, played in Oyen, the team delivered one of its strongest performances of the season, winning 5-2. 

The championship series then shifted to Standard for Game 2, where harsh winter weather created uncertainty leading up to puck drop. With a blizzard sweeping through the area, it was unclear whether the game would even be played.

Despite the challenging conditions, the team once again proved its resilience en route to a 6-1 win, winning league playoff bracket and earning a berth in the round robin championship.

“The kids were overjoyed and very excited, especially being at their home rink with a dedicated fan base that braved the blizzard to come and watch us win,” said Schultz. “It was also great to have the actual banner there for the kids to have and celebrate with.”

In the round robin league championship, the Coyotes lost 5-4 to Sundre before beating Red Deer 7-2 and Lethbridge 4-1.

“With the round robin league championship banner, we didn’t know we won until all games in the round robin series between the four teams were completed and the league let us know late Sunday night that we secured the win, because there was a 3-way tie and we won on goal differential,” said Schultz. “I told the kids that it’s one battle at a time, one shift at a time, one period at a time and don’t think about the banner. The little battles add up to positive things in winning a game. It’s too overwhelming to the kids to have the goal of ‘winning a banner.’ I get them to focus on the little things. Honestly, I didn’t even think about the final moments – I just wanted the kids to focus on the small things; they never took their foot off the gas and focused until that final buzzer.”

The Coyotes, who had a number of first year players, grew as the season went on.

According to team captain Miller Jumpsen, the adversity the team faced in the first round series versus Strathmore was a true confidence builder.

“Playing against Strathmore in the semis was tough and the closest to losing all the progress of the season that we all worked for,” said Jumpsen. “(We played) the first game against Strathmore in playoffs and Strathmore came on top that game. The second game we had to fight harder. When the final buzzer went, the bench lit up with happiness.”