By CHARLES TWEED / Black Press
It wasn’t supposed to end this way.
After an incredible season that saw the Rimbey Renegades midget A team win everything in sight, the team failed to make the medal rounds as host of provincials.
It’s often said that nerves will speed you up while anxiety will slow you down and that may have been the case during the opening game against the Provost Blades.
“They seemed pretty calm in the room but once we hit the ice —and they started taking a look around the building and saw four or five hundred people watching them, they thought ‘Holy, this is a big thing’ — from that point on I think the guys got a bit of the jitters,” said coach Shawn Mann.
“The crowd may have given them a bit of jitters the other day. On one hand you can say it pumps them up and on the other you can say it gives them a bit of jitters, it was a huge crowd and they didn’t play as well as they could have,” said tournament organizer and team manager Desiree Vandenhoven.
The Renegades lost their first two games of the tournament, effectively eliminating them from a chance to play for a medal on their home ice. The team could have very easily packed it in and surrendered in their final round-robin game.
Instead, inspired by a crowd that supported the team all year and showed up in droves throughout the weekend, the Renegades rallied to a 5-3 win over the Whitecourt Mustangs.
“We wanted to make it clear because we knew there was still going to be fans rooting for us that we were going to go out with a bang and show everyone we were capable of being that team we just had a few issues in the first couple of games — The guys sucked it up and really played hard,” said Mann.
Eric Patterson, who had two goals and two assists in the tournament, led the Renegades in scoring. Tyler Strain chipped in with three goals, while Kevin Vandenhoven and Lucas Fraser had a goal and two assists. Avery Weenick and Beau Sincennes had a goal and an assist each, and six other players had one point.
The losses were no doubt disappointing but the Renegades were in no mood to make excuses.
They understood they could have played better and that their performance didn’t merit a trip to the semifinal games. However, it must’ve been frustrating watching the Beaumont Braves — a team Rimbey defeated to win Zone 4 — cruise through Pool B and eventually hoist the provincial banner.
Beaumont beat Provost in the final on Sunday, a game that went to double overtime after regulation time couldn’t solve anything, tied at three apiece.
It was lucky break four minutes into the second OT — a misplayed shot by the Provost goaltender — to win.
Mann was full of pride speaking about his team and wished they could have put the ‘icing on the cake.’
“Just because they were good enough and they all believed they were good enough to win that tournament, I think that’s where the disappointment comes in — its tough to swallow for sure and the guys have to know everyone around the team is proud of them,” said Mann.
Its always tough — especially when you’re a teenager — to put into perspective what you’ve accomplished as a player, team and community when you have just been bounced out of provincials but there is no question this Rimbey team has a lot to be proud of.
“A lot of pride being involved with that team — they gave me every effort they could all season long. Right from the rookies to the seniors they really bonded and melded as a team and it was a really good thing to watch, I’m happy to be a part of it,” said Mann.
“You can’t have it all and it’s always tough when you’re the host team. But the kids can be proud,” said Vandehoven.
Proud of a league title and zone championship, as well as a successful tournament that drew rave reviews from the competitors.
“We’ve had huge corporate and community support and that reflects back in the rink, no admission fee, reasonable prices and the kids are getting lots of stuff, “ said Vandenhoven whose son Kevin is captain of the team. “The stands are full and we are getting a lot of compliments, which is neat — it’s the little things.”
“The community support has been unbelievable. It’s been great and we’ve had people show up who have no kids in hockey and they just came and wanted to help,” said volunteer Pat Sincennes, whose son Beau plays on the team.
The support from the community hasn’t gone unnoticed from the players either. Playing in front of packed crowds, the Renegades used the community support en route to one of the more successful seasons of midget hockey in Rimbey.
“It was a really good year and it brings a lot to the community by hosting these events. It lets everyone know where Rimbey is,” said Sincennes.
“It’s my son’s last year and I know he’s going to want to reflect on the season and it’s kind of sad because that’s it. That’s it for minor hockey.”
Volunteers worked around the clock to ensure the tournament’s success and judging by the crowds and support it was most certainly that.
“Its long days but it’s worth it, when you see the turnout and see everyone happy,” said Vandenhoven.