A plunging loonie meant family budgets took a severe beating against the U.S. dollar.
But on the ice this past weekend in Phoenix, Ariz., no team had what it took to devalue the Prince George Coast Inn of the North Cougars midget hockey team.
The Cougars ran the table and went undefeated in the 12-team Arizona Cactus Cup tournament, capturing the under-18 title with a 5-1 Monday win in the final over Valencia, Calif. It was the sixth tournament championship the Cats have won in six tries this season.
"I liked everything about our team, there's not one thing I didn't like," said Cougars head coach Ryan Howse. "We just played our game and used our speed and used our creativity and found ways to score. We dominated play for the full three periods.
"It's a tough place to play because it's a whole different world down there. It's sunny out, you wear your shorts, there are so many distractions. But it's amazing how these kids have learned throughout the year to be prepared and be focused. They've learned throughout the year that when they get into the rink and it's getting closer to game time, they're always thinking hockey and they're ready to go."
The Cougars had five goalscorers in the final and Jake Sweet made 20 saves to record the win. The Cougars advanced with a 4-1 semifinal victory over previously-undefeated Golden State (San Francisco Bay area), backed by goalie Marcus Allen. In round-robin play, the Cougars defeated Mission (Arizona), Golden State and Salt Lake City and tied Valencia 3-3.
Nearing the end of the season, the Cougars have won close to 40 games this season and have just five losses. They captured the prestigious major-midget division at the Richmond International tournament over the Christmas break and now sport a 10-2-3 first-place record in the midget Tier 1 division in the Okanagan Mainline Amateur Hockey Association.
"We wanted something new - instead of playing the same teams, we wanted to test ourselves so we went to a tournament where we knew nothing about anyone and they knew nothing about us," said Howse. "To be down there and to win a tournament like that is pretty special."
Scoring by committee has been a constant theme around the Cougars this season and that makes them tough to defend against for other teams.
"For me, there's not one guy who stands out as an MVP right now, it's the whole 19 guys," said Howse. "Each and every game, it doesn't matter who you're playing with, each and every guy has been outstanding this year."
Just before the Cactus Cup the Cougars lost two of their top offensive players - forwards Darian Long and Devin Sutton - when they were called up to the Cariboo Cougars major midget team as injury replacements. But the Tier 1 Cougars haven't missed a beat after adding affiliated players Landon Moleschi and Garrett Hilton from the Tier 2 midget team.
The Tier 1 Cougars roster also includes defencemen Brevin Gervais, Brennan Malgunas, Jarin Sutton, Jaymes Pattie, Brandon Sande and Carl Ewert; and forwards Craig MacDonald, Braeden Young, Mateo Albinati, Kyle Boshier, Logan Morris, Rob Raju, James Gordon, Dylan Krahn and Tyson Ghostkeeper. Kalen Spoletini and Mackenzie Allen are the assistant coaches.
The Cougars have a three-game exhibition series lined up in Edmonton, Feb. 19-21, then play the Northeast Trackers of Fort St. John the following weekend in Chetwynd. They travel to Comox during spring break in March for the Tier 1 midget provincial championship tournament.
