A clutch glove save preserved the Heritage Woods Kodiaks’ 5-4 shootout win over the Sardis Falcons, and the school’s Tier 1 hockey provincial championship recently.
After defeating St. Georges 3-2 in the semifinals, the Kodiaks bolted to a 4-0 lead over the previously-unbeaten Falcons in the final, that was played in Delta.
But Sardis — which was making its second straight appearance in the championship for a program that’s only three years old — started chipping away until the score was tied with 1:38 left in regulation.
When overtime decided nothing, the teams settled in for the one-on-one challenges between skaters and goalies.
Ryan Tattle put the Kodiaks up 1-0 in the shootout when he scored on the team’s first foray.
But Sardis was able to send the shootout beyond its scheduled three rounds when they tied it on their last shot.
Rhys Lefebvre scored on the Kodiaks’ fifth shot to again give them the advantage. Then it was up to goalie Tyler Verbeek, who flashed the leather to clinch the team’s championship banner.
The win capped a season in which Heritage Woods placed sixth in the standings with three wins and a loss. It also avenged that lone setback, which was to Sardis, 11-6.
