Saskatchewan boys bring home the gold

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The Saskatchewan boys' team was unbeatable at this year's National Aboriginal Hockey Championships (NAHC), winning the gold medal in the national tournament held April 30 to May 6 in Kahnawake, Que. The Saskatchewan team defeated the Ontario South club 4-2 in the championship final.

As for the Saskatchewan girls' squad, it placed fifth in its nine-team division. The boys' category also featured nine entrants.

This marked the fifth year the NAHC has been held. Saskatchewan last won the boys' title in 2003.

"I think some people were surprised we won," said Courage Bear, who coached this year's winning entry. "I don't think many people out there considered us the team to beat."

Bear also coached the Saskatchewan boys' club that captured the bronze medal at the 2005 NAHC, which were held in Miramichi, N.B.

This year's side featured six returning players.

"I think we were equally as talented as last year's team," Bear said. "But we were more disciplined. And their attitude in believing they could win was better. That made a big difference."

The Saskatchewan boys' team ended up playing seven games at the nationals. It posted a record of 6-0-1.

The club kicked off its tournament with a 3-1 victory over Manitoba then had to settle for a 4-4 draw in a contest with the team from Alberta.

In its two other round-robin games, Saskatchewan defeated British Columbia 7-1 and Alberta, also by a 7-1 count.

Bear's club then squared off against British Columbia in a quarter-final contest and registered a 7-3 win. The squad then advanced to the gold-medal match with a 6-4 victory over Manitoba in a semi-final game.

The final provided some late nerve-wracking moments.

Saskatchewan was enjoying a 3-1 lead late in the third period when the referee awarded Ontario South a penalty shot after a Saskatchewan player intentionally dislodged the net. Ontario South scored with just one minute and 15 seconds left on the game clock to make it 3-2. But Saskatchewan iced the game with an empty net goal with about 45 seconds left in the contest.

Eleven of the club's players will also be eligible to compete in the 2007 NAHC, which will be held in Saskatchewan.

The Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations has been awarded the right to play host to next year's nationals. Though an official announcement has yet to be made, the tournament is expected to be held in Prince Albert.

Being the defending champions and playing at home should provide an edge for the Saskatchewan club.

"Each province is good at recruiting players," Bear said. "I'm not sure if we'll be considered the favourites, but I think we'll be in a group of four or five teams expected to win."

Though he did not coach the team, Bear was also the co-ordinator of the Saskatchewan girls' club this year.

He said team officials were not disappointed that the girls failed to bring home a medal.

"We knew they were a young team," Bear said. "And we've got a pretty good future with the bunch of girls we have."

Bear was also pleased the girls team managed to defeat Ontario North, the eventual silver medallists, 4-3 in a round-robin game. Ontario South ended up winning the girls' crown, blanking Ontario North 5-0 in the final.

Saskatchewan actually played Ontario North twice in round-robin play. Ontario North won the second meeting between the two squads 5-1.

Saskatchewan also faced off against and beat the Northwest Territories twice in round-robin play, by scores of 7-4 and 6-0.

But Saskatchewan's medal aspirations were dashed after being defeated 4-1 by Manitoba in a quarter-final game.

"We came up short at the wrong time," Bear said.

Saskatchewan rebounded from that setback and edged British Columbia 7-6 in a relegation match, which decided fifth and sixth place.