It may not be exactly the medal color your Hurricanes were after, but a bronze medal in this highly competitive NSMBHL Provincial Championship tournament is certainly something to be proud of.

From the onset of the Provincial tournament, your Hurricanes did everything in their power to set themselves up to win gold. The team won all 4 preliminary games to be in first place after the round robin portion of the tournament.

Here`s how the story went: In game # 1 on Thursday, your Hurricanes opened up with a 4 - 1 victory over Newbridge Academy Senators in a spirited and physical game.  Then, with two games on Friday, they defeated the Bedford Barons 5 - 0 in a early afternoon tilt and again took home a 3 -2 victory against the Valley Wildcats in a night game that saw a huge crowd at Queens Place cheering on their Hurricane players. With a quick turn around and a chance to clinch first place, the Hurricanes again came out flying against the Cape Breton Cougars on route to a 9 - 1 win on Saturday morning. With 4 straight wins and a first place seeding in their back pocket, it was now rest time to prepare for their semi - final match up against the Bedford Barons (4^th seed) on Sunday morning. The other 2 teams to qualify for the semi-finals were Halifax Hawks (2nd seed) and Bay Gulls. (3rd seed)

In the semi-final game, the Barons came out with 3 quick goals in the first 9 minutes of the first period and had the Hurricanes on the ropes. But, as shown all season, Hurricane players know how to battle. With a quick chance to collect themselves and re-focus, the Hurricanes applied lots of offensive pressure and got a goal at the end of the first and another midway through the second period to get them right back in it and make it 3-2 as they headed into the third period.

The third brought more great play by the Hurricanes and a large amount of quality chances with 5 or more pucks hitting posts and crossbars and pucks just sliding by open nets but when the final buzzer sounded, despite the Hurricanes outshooting Bedford by a large margin of 38 - 18, the tying goal eluded them. The final score was 3 - 2 Bedford. A heartbroken group that won the NSMBHL Championship Banner gave everything they had and put on a great display for their fans.

The Hurricanes would like to thank all the huge crowds that came out to support the team all weekend and also watch all the participating teams in this NSMBHL Provincial Championships. Amazing crowds all weekend were raving about the top quality brand of hockey that the players of the Nova Scotia Major Bantam Hockey League displayed. Also, huge thanks to all the dedicated folks who volunteered their time this weekend to put on this tournament from the 50 - 50 sales, ticket sales, opening ceremonies and a fabulous hospitality room. Thanks to our tournament Chair Ian Creaser, Co - Chairs Janet Creaser and Janet Baker who hosted a class act tournament. Western Nova Scotia hospitality and professionalism at its finest !

Now … Back to hockey! In the other semi -final, the Bay Gulls battled their way to a 3 - 2 win over the Halifax Hawks creating a Bedford vs. Bay Gulls Championship game. The Championship saw the Bay Gulls win 3 - 1 over Bedford. Both semi - finals and the Championship game were played with high pace, skill and end to end action. Fans were treated to a great day of hockey watching the top Bantam aged hockey players in Nova Scotia. It is sometimes hard to believe these young hockey players and future prospects are only 13 and 14 years old.

Congratulations to the Bay Gulls on their win and who will certainly represent the NSMBHL and province well at the Irving Oil Major Bantam Atlantic Championships beginning on March 29 in Halifax. The Halifax Hawks will also represent our league as the host team.

Other Hurricane Highlights:

1) During the opening ceremonies on Thursday, the Nova Scotia Major Bantam Hockey League presented it`s league awards. The Hurricanes players and coaching staff were presented with the NSMBHL Championship Banner and League Championship trophy for leading the league for the second straight year. Two Hurricanes players had their name called to receive NSMBHL awards: Jordan Messenger was named to the 2nd Team League All Star Team as a forward and Mitch Baker was named to the 1st Team All Star Team as a defenseman. Congratulations guys!

2) Rookie forward Travis Parks won the shootout competition during the tournament skills competition by getting 4 out of his 5 breakaway chances through the opposing goaltender.

3) Following the Saturday afternoon skills competition, the award winners for the provincial tournament were announced. A few Hurricane players were honoured for their solid play over the weekend: Cole Mulrooney was named All Star defenseman, Matt Quigley was named All Star Forward, Jordan Messenger was named Top Scorer for the Tournament and Aaron Mantle received the Top Goaltender Award and Tournament MVP. Congratulations guys!

Another great season was had by the Hurricanes Major Bantam Hockey Program.  We repeated as NSMBHL League Champions, made every semi-final or final of all tournaments entered and compiled an overall record of 44 wins, 10 loses and 3 ties. The team was a group of talented and hard working players on the ice and greater people off the ice. Most importantly, the Hurricanes Hockey Program has prepared and developed players for the next level and their rookies to take over leadership of the Hurricanes and carry on the standard and tradition of Hurricanes Hockey !

Stay tuned for news over the next couple of weeks about Spring Identification Camp as we prepare for Season 3

GO HURRICANES !