Massey makes WHSHL history
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/03/2025 (202 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
The Vincent Massey Vikings captured the Westman High School Hockey League crown Wednesday evening with a 5-1 road victory over the Dauphin Clippers.
After trailing 1-0 early, tournament MVP Lucas Newman fired a laser just under the crossbar that not only destroyed a water bottle, it ignited his Viking teammates to find another level of intensity they were able to maintain for the remaining two periods.
“It was a loud building with the fans and horns. That goal from Lucas helped get some of the momentum back on our side,” said Vikings head coach Brent Blaine.
The Vincent Massey Vikings celebrate capturing the Westman High School Hockey League championship Wednesday night in Dauphin. (Submitted)
“We had a couple of seeing-eye shots from the point, one from Josh Romanik that was the same kind of shot, just under the shoulder. Once we got going I knew we were settling in and playing Viking hockey. We could see their determination and it carried through.”
“We were hard on the puck, and that was the greatest tool we had all year. We were playing heavy, heavy hockey in the offensive zone.”
After a tough showing at the AAAA provincial championship two weeks ago, in which they lost to the Springfield Sabres and River East Kodiaks, the team bounced back to sweep the Clippers in consecutive games to earn the banner.
Despite the challenge of the provincial championship, the team ran the table all season in Westman, going a perfect 40-0 over the course of the regular season and playoffs.
“Any time you can run through your league and go 40-0 including playoffs it’s a great accomplishment for those guys. The feeling they had in that room after was a bit of relief, I would think, and joy at the same time,” said Blaine
The season marked an impressive turn around for the squad and coach Blaine, who built the program into not only the winningest team in the league, but led the historic campaign that will likely not be touched any time soon.
Blaine was quick to heap the praise on the players for the remarkable season.
“I’m the guy that stands behind the bench, but there are 19 guys that go on the ice and do all the work,” said an emotional Blaine over the phone from the seat of his tractor the morning following the clinching win.
Blaine also thanked the support from his coaching and managerial staff as well as the admin support from Massey as a key part of the team’s success.
“I can talk and speak to them 200-plus times a game, but they deserve all the credit,” he said. “It’s a great feeling, and I told the guys that what they accomplished will likely not be accomplished again, so kudos to them and I hope they enjoy it. They really worked hard all season long and deserve the result. I’m super proud of all of them.”
» mpackwood@brandonsun.com