Saskatchewan men's team brings home National gold

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The Saskatchewan men's team was golden in Akwesasne, claiming top spot in the National Aboriginal Hockey Championship held April 27 through May 3.

A year ago, it was the Saskatchewan women's team that won the bronze medal at the inaugural national tourney, also held in Akwesasne. This year the team placed fifth in the six-team women's division.

Saskatchewan, which had not entered a men's club last year, was one of eight entrants at this season's event.

Saskatchewan defeated Manitoba 3-2 in overtime in the gold-medal match, which featured a rather unusual play late in the third period.

The Manitoba club thought it was heading for victory as it led 2-1 in the dying seconds of the match. With about four seconds remaining in the game Manitoba's Donald Melnyk picked up the puck near his own blueline after it became apparent Saskatchewan would not get off one last rush. With the puck in hand, Melnyk headed towards his own goaltender Julian Guimond to begin celebrating.

The Manitoba celebrations though were short-lived as referee John Lortie stopped the play with 2.2 seconds showing on the game clock. His call? A penalty shot was awarded to Saskatchewan for Melnyk's intentional delay of the game.

Though Melnyk did not pick up the puck in his own crease, a penalty shot was awarded as a rule stipulates any delay of game incident in the final minute of the third period is an automatic penalty shot.

Saskatchewan's assistant captain Travis Gardipy scored on the penalty shot. The team's other assistant captain, Justin Magnuson, then scored on a breakaway at the 6:10 mark of overtime to give his side the victory.

"I am just so happy for my teammates," Magnuson said shortly after scoring the winner. "We gave it 100 per cent for seven days here. I think it just came down to the fact that we deserved it more."

Manitoba team members obviously thought otherwise. In fact, Manitoba head coach Derek Fontaine was so infuriated with how things transpired late in the match that he ordered his club immediately off the ice. And he refused to allow them back on to participate in the post-game medal presentations.

"In all my hockey coaching and playing days, I have never, ever witnessed what I've seen today," Fontaine fumed. "It's a total disgrace to the game."

Manitoba had won last year's tournament. But with the way things ended up this year, Fontaine maintained his side would have to review whether it wants to take part in future events.

In his post-game celebrations, Saskatchewan coach Charles Keshane said he was upset the Manitoba squad did not stick around to receive their medals on the ice.

"That just shows no class at all," Keshane said. "We respect them. And they should have enough respect and stay out on the ice for us."

Saskatchewan won all six of its games at the tourney. In round-robin action it beat Nova Scotia 7-0, Eastern Door and the North (EDN), representing Quebec, 4-2 and Ontario South 5-3.

Saskatchewan then edged British Columbia 4-3 in a quarter-final battle and EDN 2-0 in their semi-final matchup.

As for the Saskatchewan women's team, it won just one out of its five round-robin games. It was then credited with a 1-0 victory in the game which decided fifth and sixth place since Team Atlantic opted to forfeit the match.

Saskatchewan coach Gil Ledoux said he was told the Atlantic side would default the game since an Elder who had travelled with the team died during the tournament.

"I would have liked to play that game," Ledoux said.

Ledoux said Saskatchewan team officials probably erred somewhat in selecting their team early on. Clubs were not required to submit their team rosters to organizers until Apr. 11.

But Saskatchewan chose its team members following a training camp this past December.

Ledoux felt about a dozen of those on the 21-player roster were not in shape by the time the event rolled around.

"In every game our (lack of) fitness level was evident," Ledoux said. "We were outmuscled in almot every game. And the girls were tired by the second and third periods."

Ledoux believes provincial officials might consider staging a later training camp in future years.

"A lot of girls would have come in better shape if their spot on the roster was not etched in stone," he said.

Meanwhile, seven players from Saskatchewan were also honored by being selected as tournament all-stars. A total of 17 female and 17 male players were named to their respective all-star teams.

All of the all-stars will also be invited to attend a free Aboriginal high performance training camp, which will be held July 14-20 in Ottawa.

Those who made the grade from the Saskatchewan men's team were goaltender Craig Morningchild and forwards Magnuson, Gardipy and Barry Sparvier.

Saskatchewan defender Dayna King and forwards Danene King and Fallon Head were named to the women's all-star roster.