Brentwood Hockey – Beginning of a New Era

8 April 2018Lanny L, Ellis ‘18; Photo by Ian McPherson

At the start of the year, anxiety filled both the coaches and player core as they were hesitant to see who would compose this year’s hockey team. Losing a couple of key players from last year’s team, the coaches were curious to see who would step up and fill their spots. At the beginning of the year, during first term, a strong showing of new and old skill revealed that the team had some promise. Although this team would be constantly changing throughout the season due to injury and other issues, it allowed the team to participate in exhibition games against our neighbours at Cowichan Secondary. The first few exhibition games against Cowichan went as expected. The “team” looked more like a group of separate individuals rather than a team. The players struggled to find their form and had trouble finding the back of the net, but the team still managed to tie both the first two games and won the third against Cowichan. As first term sport continued, the persistent practices allowed the team to truly meld together and build their chemistry between lines. More exhibition games were held against Shawnigan, Lake Cowichan, Cowichan and Francis Kelsey, which all resulted in Brentwood coming out on top. The team’s future looked bright as they headed into their competitive sport term during the winter. As the pre-season began to finish, the coaches were finally able to see who would compose the complete Senior Boys Hockey Team. Unnoticed talent was recruited off the soccer pitch as Ben M, Privett, ‘19 proved to be a reliable defenseman as well as his housemate Elliot F, Privett, ‘19. The team was finally complete, with two goalies, nine forwards and six defenseman, the team was ready to face the challenges in front of them. With a player core consisting of nine grade 12’s, many whom had been playing together for a couple years now, the team quickly turned into a well oiled machine as they conquered all opponents they faced. As the end of January approached, it brought with it the legendary Showcase hockey game which faced St. George’s vs Brentwood. The boys came into the game riding high off their undefeated record and were looking to improve it. After being defeated by St.George’s last year in a nail bitter final 6-5, the team was looking for redemption. The many seniors who realized it was the last time they would throw on the Brentwood jersey in front of their school decided to hold nothing back against Saints. The team exploded out of the gate and quickly showed St. George’s this was a new and improved team. The scoring led by Luke W, Whittal ‘18, Luke H, Whittall ‘18, Lanny L, Ellis, ‘18 and Cooper H, Ellis, ‘19 allowed the boys to come out on top with a 5-3 victory. With the Showcase game out of the way, the focus then shifted towards the team’s final games during the school’s tournament, The Ross Cup. In preparation, the team travelled to Vancouver twice where the boys redeemed themselves from last year against Kitsilano and Prince of Wales. The Ross Cup came quickly as the dreaded end of the season approached. February the 22nd arrived and with it, the start of the tournament. The opening day of the tournament, the Brentwood Senior Team went to work on Shawnigan as they brushed off their opponents with a convincing 7-3 victory. The team returned to school where they rested in preparations for two games the following day. The day started early as the team bussed over to Kerry Park once again where they defeated their neighbours at Kelsey with a 6-1 victory. Later that day, after relaxation within their dorms, the Brentwood Senior Team defeated St. George’s younger team 5-2. This placed the team at the first seed going into the semi finals on Saturday. At 11:00 am, the team suited up once again and kicked St. George’s younger team out of the running for the championship with a 6-1 victory. The stage had been set, St. George’s Senior Team vs Brentwood. Jitters ran throughout the whole Brentwood Team as the possibility of an undefeated season lay upon the table, waiting to be achieved. The time arrived, the finals of the Ross Cup as well as the final game of hockey for many of the Seniors. “Relentless. All season we’ve been over our opponents and haven’t let them have space, I don’t have anything new to say, just get it done.” said Head Coach Tom Shadlock as he prepared the boys for battle. Emotions ran high as Captain Mason Shadlock, Privett, ‘18 begged the boys to “Leave everything on the ice, don’t live with regrets wishing you could have done something differently. Our whole season has led to this moment, so let’s go out and show St. George’s we are the legendary team Mr. Patel talked about”. Both teams came out exploding. The scoring opened up early as Brentwood slotted one early on as Haden U, Ellis, ‘19 picked the top left corner off a rush. St. George’s responded just as quickly which tied the game at 1-1. War was waged as both teams fought ruthlessly in both ends of the ice. Both teams struggled to find the back of the net as the first period ended with a stalemate, 1-1. Sweat and blood riddled the surface of the ice as the Brentwood boys battled as hard as they could for each other, but St. George’s potted another goal which put them on top, 2-1. For the last five minutes of the game the team corralled St. George’s in their end as we desperately riddled the goalie with shots, but as the time whittled away and the team couldn’t manage to find the twine, St. George’s came out on top 2-1. Devastation crumbled the boys’ dreams as their undefeated season vanished in front of their eyes. Tears riddled the locker room floor as the team shared one last moment together before parting their separate ways after the season. Although we couldn’t manage to complete the year with an undefeated season, we won something more meaningful, respect from the other teams. The team completed the year with an unheard of record of twenty two straight wins and one loss. The grade twelves who are leaving left behind a legacy for the younger generations to live up to. This may be the end of an era for the seniors, but this is only the beginning for many others. Lanny L, Ellis ‘18

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