KENTVILLE, N.S. — The Acadia atom AAA hockey team has made history.
The squad won the first provincial banner in the Acadia Minor Hockey Association’s eight-year existence with a 5-1 victory March 25 over the TASA Ducks in Antigonish. Acadia had a slight 1-0 lead heading to the third period, but coach Jill Plandowski was not concerned.
“I could tell by the look in their eyes they were going to come out like racehorses,” she said. “They were so determined to win this game.”
Acadia went undefeated in the round robin and beat the host Antigonish Bulldogs 5-4 in overtime in the semifinal to advance to the championship.
They capped their season by winning the association’s first banner.
“It’s very special. You realize you have made history,” Plandowski said.
Laurie Dauphinee was the head coach for the team, which had a perfect 24-0 record in the Mainland Hockey League this season. It also won the 18-team SPUD Tournament in PEI in February and had an overall record of 52-4.
“They’re just wonderful kids who think team first,” Plandowski said. “To see all their hard work pay off was pretty unbelievable.”
The association was formed eight years ago when the East Kings and Kentville and Area minor hockey associations amalgamated.
Association president John Pettet said the atom AA team recently finished third in the province.
“We are very proud of both teams, being able to show so well,” he said.
He credited the players’ work, support from their families and a dedicated group of coaches for making it a successful season.
The atom AA won the bronze medal by defeating Cumberland 10-0.
Captain Jayden Simmonds was the tournament’s top scorer and was named to the all-star team. Connor Deluney, Jon Forsyth and Simmonds were all named game MVPs during the tournament.
In the skills competition, Kathleen Balcome placed second in the forward skating event and Oliver McMahon placed second in the goalie shootout event.
Pettet explained the association has grown from 520 players in the first year to 730 this season. It competes against some of the Metro Halifax associations where more than 1,000 youth are playing the sport.
Pettet said it works hard to keep costs down to enable as many kids as possible to play the game. At a time when the national trend is showing fewer players joining hockey, the association had 130 new players start this season.
A first-year player paid $95 this past season, which included registration and all equipment. The player returns the equipment at the end of the season.
“We are really pleased with the fact one of our teams won the provincial banner … but we are really, really pleased as well that so many kids have a chance to play the game,” Pettet said.
With strong performances from the atom and a good core coming up behind them there is excitement about future banners for the association.
