St. Kitts bantams in OHF finals
The Garden City Falcons are back on the ice Friday hoping to capture a provincial bantam double A hockey championship for the second time this season.
They recently became the first team from Niagara to take an Ontario Minor Hockey Association (OMHA) bantam double A title since 1984 and have qualified to represent the OMHA at the Ontario Hockey Federation championships in Timmins.
In addition to facing the host team at the three-day tournament, the Falcons will by play the champions of the Alliance, Greater Toronto and Northern Ontario minor hockey associations.
“Winning the OMHA title, you can do it every year, but only every second year can you go to the OHF, so it’s a pretty big honour,” Falcons coach James Gichard said.
Garden City outscored opponents 18-2 in the final three games at OMHA playdowns, and blanked Markham 6-0 in the championship final. Gichard described the win as a team victory.
“We’re very much a ‘by committee’ team,” the coach said. “Every single guy on the team contributes, whether it be on the scoreboard or doing the hard backchecking.
“We do have our guys who do score more often than not, but it’s really by a whole team committee.”
Some of the best bantams in the province will be in Timmins this weekend. Historically, teams from the Greater Toronto and Hamilton have fared well at OHF championships due to larger catchment areas for players.
“To get up there and compete against the champions of each division, it’s a true Ontario championship so we’re looking forward to it,” Gichard said.
It could be the first of back-toback appearances for the St. Catharines team as the OMHA will host the OHF bantam double A championships in 2018.
Communities bid to host the tournament, with the winner selected by the OHF board of directors in October.