The last time the Port Coquitlam Pirates juvenile A1 team played in a provincial championship, the team's current roster was making their way through elementary school.
But last week the squad of 18 to 20 year olds broke a decade-long dry spell with a 4-2 win over Chilliwack in the final four showdown. Ryan Uchacz, Mackenzie Leung, Cody Squires, and Denzel Dennill all scored in the match, punching the team's ticket to the B.C. championship.
When the playoffs began several weeks ago, the Pirates were in the middle of the pack of the upper division standings. In a four-point series, the team defeated Seafair, allowing them to move into the final-four round robin.
There, the club had a strong start with a 2-0 upset win over Surrey, but were shutout by Langley 4-0 in the second game of the tournament. That set the stage for the must-win game against Chilliwack, which the Pirates won.
However, as the provincial host team, Chilliwack is not in the Pirates' rearview mirror just yet.
The two teams will likely meet again this week, when Juvenile A1 Provincial Championships begin at Prospera Place between March 19 and 22. Aside from PoCo and Chilliwack, the teams will also include North Delta, Juan De Fuca and Langley.
The first game starts tomorrow at 1:30 p.m. and the finals will be held on March 22 at 8 p.m. For more information go to www.pocominorhockey.com.
@GMcKennaTC
