After finishing third in league play, Team Piggery won the minor division of the Ridge Meadows Minor Ball Hockey Association playoffs.
In doing so the team advanced to the provincials, under way this weekend in Delta.
The local playoffs started on June 15 at Planet Ice, Team Piggery observing a moment of silence for teammate Tyler Galloway, the 12-year-old boy who suffered a brain injury after colliding with a vehicle while longboarding.
The opposing teams met at the center of the arena floor, holding up Tyler’s jersey, which had been signed by his teammates in support of his ongoing recovery.
Team Piggery won that first game 7-2.
The team won its second contest 7-4, followed by a 5-3 win in the semi-finals.
The final game, for a chance to go to the provincials, was a nail-biter against the Blade Runners.
The teams entered the second half tied 0-0.
Piggery’s Liam Foster opened the scoring, as he went far side and top corner after getting a long pass from Will Fraser.
The Blade Runners tied the game three minutes later.
With 3:25 remaining in the game, Piggery’s Adam Watson moved a pass to Damian Richards, who found Marc Gautreau wide open on the far side for the go-ahead goal.
Foster put the game away with an empty netter with 42 seconds left.
“The game was a hard fought, everyone played well, as they have all year,” said coach Jon Silcox. “Liam was a big difference today. It was nice to see Marc step up when he needed to. ‘Richie’ (Damian Richards) has been able to find ways to make amazing passes all year.”
“Nicky [Tulip] was huge in net for us, easily the reason why we were so successful in the playoffs. He made the key saves when needed.”
Team Piggery is competing in a division at the provincials against teams from Valley, Metro, and Richmond.
Other local call hockey teams to qualify for the provincials this weekend: (peanut division) Dragons; (pup) Earthquakes; (peewee) Giants; (major) Black Aces; (junior) C-Bar South.