During the afternoon of Friday, April 14, the Alexandra Hockey League (AHL) season came to a thrilling conclusion with the annual return of the 2023 Stanley Pot Championship game.
This year, the AHL featured five feisty squads from Grades 4 to 8 competing throughout the 32-game season.
Friday’s Stanley Pot Championship saw the Flaming Frogs take on the Scorpions in a winner-take-all hockey hootenanny. There was one question on everyone’s minds throughout the week: Would the Frogs waddle away as web-toed winners, or could the Scorpions sting their way to supremacy?
The Alexandra Community School Choir started things off with a rousing rendition of "O Canada", and were joined by the Grade 2 class, led by Mrs. Vail, who delivered a sign language version of the anthem.
Once the ball dropped, the Alexandra Eagles were witness to an amicable-yet-adversarial ball hockey battle between amphibians and arthropods. Joining the students were parents/guardians, community members, and Alexandra alumni, while Owen Sound Attack mascot Cubby and the school's very own Emilee the Eagle looked on in approval.
The Scorpions stung early and often, and headed into intermission with a two-goal lead. With their speckled backs against the wall, the question remained: Even though the Frogs could ribbit, could they rally?
After a fast and furious second half of action, the long-awaited results were in with the Scorpions holding on to eke out a 6-4 victory.
Top scorer was Eli “The Electric Eel” Carder, who slithered his way to four goals. Boltin’ Colton McKechanie, captain of the Flaming Frogs, replied with a hat trick of his own while the crowd croaked in support, making the day a lucrative one for local haberdashers.
Joining them on the scoreboard were Scorpions team captain Chace “The Monster” Minard, who lit the lamp with a duo of doozies, and Bobby “The 36 Chambers of Shaolin” Chambers hacking home a howitzer of his own for the Frogs.
Most Valuable Player of the game was Scorpion goalie Musa “The Wall” Fazal, who stopped several blistering shots despite being one of the youngest competitors.
While the Scorpions were able to finish with a leg (or eight) up on their competition, both teams must be congratulated for displaying the trademark sportsmanship, inclusion, and enthusiasm that makes “The Home of the Eagles” a hockey hotbed.
The AHL would like to thank the Alexandra community for all the support, and looks forward to another battle in 2024!
Submitted by Alexandra Community School; Photos courtesy of Greg Courage and Amber Stephens