With first place — and a spot at the B.C. provincial hockey championships in Kelowna — on the line, the Langley bantam AA Eagles did not disappoint.
The Eagles scored a resounding 4-0 victory over the Burnaby Winter Club Bruins.
The two teams — who were both 2-0 in round robin play at the Pacific Coast Amateur Hockey Association — squared off on March 5 in Mission, with the winner earning the right to represent the region at the upcoming provincial tournament.
Langley had won their opening two games, 4-1 over Port Moody A1 and then posted a come-from-behind 5-4 victory against Aldergrove A1.
That set up the championship final for all the marbles and the Langley squad delivered an impressive performance.
"The boys played phenomenal," said Rick Hunter.
At the start of the season, provincials was a realistic goal for the team.
But the key for the team to achieving that goal was discipline.
"They have really curtailed (their penalty minutes)," Hunter said, pointing out that the Eagles were among the most penalized during league play.
With less time spent in the penalty box, the Eagles have ridden three solid lines and great goaltending to six straight playoff victories — three at the final four championships, and three in the playoff qualification round.
"We have just really gelled together," he said about his team, which features some players with four years of hockey experience, while others have nine years experience.