LEAGUE CHAMPIONS!

2014 League champions - Milestone Atom Flyers

I headed for Estevan on Tuesday after quilting to take in Eric's atom hockey game as their team sought to finish their season with a perfect record of winning every league game and two tournaments.

The game was at six and there was a good crowd out to cheer on both teams with many grandmas and grandpas in attendance.  I sat beside a grandma from Regina who was there to cheer on her granddaughter Sidney, who is a good friend of Eric's.  On the other side of me were the Mantei's from Outram area who were there to cheer on their grandson Ben, who was playing for Estevan.  So last night we were cheering for opposite teams and did some reminiscing about the days when our sons Clare and Russell played together for Torquay back in the seventies and eighties.  I was reminded of the story that Howard used to tell of the team getting back from an out of town game, perhaps a provincial one, to discover that Clarence was locked out of his vehicle.  He solved the problem by breaking a side window in his pickup!

It was an exciting game as Estevan scored first, then the lead went back and forth until it was tied at three in the third period.  Milestone scored, Estevan pulled their goalie but to no avail as when the final buzzer went, the score was 4 - 3 for Milestone.  They are league champions with a perfect record!  The trophy was handed to Eric and he proudly skated off with it. Eric had three assists, enabling #25 to have a hat trick!  Laurel took pictures so I have added a few here.

Eric and team mates

The four girls on the team

Last night the coach sent an email to all the parents. "I am so proud or your kids on the year they had.  I told them before the game that I've never been around a group of kids that got along so well.  It was a fun year and especially fun in the last game!"

The team is made up of players from Yellow Grass as well as Milestone and includes a mix of boys and girls.  It was a great combination and will be a highlight in their hockey lives.  An unbeaten record in league play and two tournaments in Milestone and Minot will be hard to match.  Many of them will move up to the Peewee league this fall so I hope they will get along just as well with their new teammates and coaches.  Grandma is more impressed with their good skills in getting along so well than with their unbeaten record.  Keep it up guys and gals!

 On my way home I listened to the Estevan Bruins' game against North Battleford North Stars that was taking place at Affinity Place.  That place must have been packed with fans as the parking lot was jam packed with vehicles when I left after Eric's game.  Someone was glad to wait for me to back out and take my parking spot.  The Bruins lost their game 3-0 so are now down two games to one in their best of seven series.  Austin Daae is the top scorer in that league this year.  His parents, Kevin Daae and Chris (Hanson) were classmates of Laurel's at school in Torquay.

 I met Laurel and Ashley at the library before the game.  The library is having a book sale the first week in April so I'm going to donate a bag or two of books and get rid of some of the clutter in my book shelves.   I have enjoyed downloading some books on my iPad.  It's easy to delete them after they are read so no added clutter there!

We have enjoyed some mild days so most of the snow has melted in this area.  However, more is promised this weekend!  Clare is glad to hear that as they are heading for a week in Phoenix and he'll enjoy it more if he's leaving some cold and snow behind!  Kirk's are  heading south to Mexico during this week of school break.  It's good timing as it's a good getaway before the busy spring season begins.

Speaking of spring, tomorrow is the first day, even though the forecast is bringing us more winter like temperatures and some snow.  We know it won't last long but after the COLD winter we had, everyone is looking forward to some much warmer temperatures.

 Marion and Jason have appreciated visitors to Rhett at the University Hospital in Saskatoon, including members of the Erickson family - Melodie and Lloyd as well as Dr. Morris.  Rhett didn't sleep very well last night, was restless with a fever  and a cough at times.  His doctor said Rhett's face is healing well, but he is more concerned about the fever and cough leading to pneumonia.  Please keep this precious little guy, and his parents, in your prayers as he recovers from this attack by a dog.

Katie, Blaine with little brother Rhett

Rhett Oscar Sanford

Rhett is getting ready to play hockey!