On Sunday, August 2 before a capacity crowd at the West Edmonton Sports Centre, the fans were treated to two incredible finals between the two provincial rivals, Belleville Bulls and Penetanguishene Blazers.  In the U-17 final the Bulls got a quick lead from Mr. Everything, Darcy Greenaway as he sped in off the wing in the first minute of play to get his team the early lead.  He would add to that lead with his second of the game racing around the defenceman and shuffling ed the ball between the legs of the Blazers netminder.  The second period started much the same way the first did with an early goal, but this time it was the Blazers who replied with a goal by Kristoff Kontos as he cut in from his off wing and placed a wrist shot over the Bulls goaltender cutting the lead to one.   The game went back and forth the remainder of the game with Penetang battling back in the final minute to a 3-3 tie.   In the first overtime, it would be Evan Greer with his first of the tournament that would bring the game to an end and the championship back to Belleville.   This was the fourth U-17 National Championship and both of these Ontario power houses captured the title twice.   The Barrie Wild would capture the bronze medal with a 3-0 win over the home town Edmonton Extreme.

The U19 championship would see these same two familiar foes battle for the championship and what a game.  The Blazers would storm out with four goals in the first period, but these aren’t the Cardiac Bulls for no reason, just ask the Canadian Rockies who thought a 3-1 lead with 4 minutes to play in the semi final was enough.  The Bulls, knew they were up against it, but they also knew the opposition very well and they needed to reply.   Three minutes into the second period, a goal would give the Bulls life and two minutes later they added another.  You could feel a swing in momentum and the Bulls would keep coming to ultimately tie the game with 4 seconds remaining in the game and what else would you expect from these two great organizations, but a thrilling end to another chapter in this story.  This championship would be decided in overtime and what an end.   The ball was cleared up the floor by the Bulls where one of the most prolific scorers in Junior ball hockey picked up the loose ball and raced up the floor on a breakaway, as he moved closer to the net he faked right and move across the front of the net to the left and out wait the sprawled goaltender to end what some are calling the greatest game in Junior U-19 history.   The Beeton Xtreme completed the podium finishes for Ontario teams as they outlasted the Canadian Rockies 2-1 in a hard fought game.

In the U-15 championship game the Edmonton Red Wings came from behind twice to tie the game after regulation time 5-5. It took two overtime periods and still nothing had been decided and this game would go to a shoot out and be decided by the fifth shooter on the BC Wolverines who went down the middle of the floor and at the top of the circle began moving to the right pulling the goalie the same way only to shoot the ball over the shoulder for a thrilling 6-5 win.   The Penetang Blazers  would capture the bronze medals.

For a complete list of game results and statistics visit www.cbha.com.  Next year the Ontario Ball Hockey Association will be hosting the event in the City of Waterloo and we look forward to seeing some great ball hockey action.