Pre-game tributes honour fallen Jasperites

The JFI Bonestars are Jasper Hockey League champions again.

The regular season leaders disappointed neither their fans nor the bookies as the far-and-away favourites fought off the underdog Outlaws—who were returning to the A-Final once again on the strength of their stalwart net-minder, Cassie Allin. 

The Bonestars’ stacked squad took home the title for the first time in three years, when they dethroned the Jasper Brewing Co. Barley Kings.

Allin kept the game close for most of the game, stymying B-stars superstar (and ex-Beaver 😭) Brandon Lawson on several dangerous dashes. 

Allin’s solid start allowed the Outlaws to take the game’s first lead, obtained after silky skating Bryn Malcolm took a slot pass from power forward Ryan Ewald and raised the puck over the right pad of Bonestars keeper Jake Melanson. 

The Bonestars tied things up on a shorthanded laser by Callum Campbell after the Outlaws couldn’t get organized, but the Outlaws bounced back when Ewald capitalized off of a Sean Allin rush, wristing a shot past Melanson.

The Outlaws carried their lead into the second period, but after that, it was short-lived. The Bonestars squared the score with an old-school, along-the-ice snipe by the grey-bearded journeyman, Brian “B-Bone” Groth, then Jack Hilworth potted the go-ahead tally.

Even thought the Outlaws tied it back up, the Outlaws couldn’t stop the oncoming surge of Lawson and fellow NAIT Ooks alumni, Morgan Poirier. Campbell netted his second after a centring pass from Rebecca Roszell, Poirier drifted one in from the point and soon after the goals started pouring in. Just like they’d done all season, the green monsters asserted their dominance. 

When the final buzzer sounded, it was Bonestars 7, Outlaws 3. 

In the B-Final, the Barley Kings soundly smoked the Bongs, although for a hot minute when the Bongs were up 3-2 it looked like they had a chance to raise the bowl…er, trophy. In the end, the Barley Kings’ speed and big-game experience enabled purple and gold to cruise to a decisive 8-3 triumph.

The battle of the basement saw the Royals and the Beavers clamouring for the C-Cup. The Beavers came out of the lodge hot, with Dave “McNasty” McNaughton capitalizing on a juicy rebound after a Royal giveaway to gain the early lead. 

Les Castors didn’t look back as team top scorer Alan Kilpatrick tallied a hat-trick, earning the vaunted pelt as MVB (Most Valuable Beaver) and leading his fellow rodents to an 8-3 victory. 

While sports fans eager for a Super Sunday upset—or at least a close contest—may have been disappointed with the lack of down-to-the-wire drama, for many in attendance it was the pre-game proceedings which stole the show. 

After Jasperite Tasidy Short, who hails from Red Pheasant Cree Nation, performed an incredible jingle dress dance as an expression of community resilience and strength, U13 fireplug Hana Calihoo belted out a powerful rendition of O’Canada, raising the rafters of the recently-renovated Jasper Arena. 

“It was great to see the buzz back in our Recreation Centre, providing a mental break, despite the hard times that many are facing,” is how one hockey mom put it. 

The buzz was put on hold, however, when spectators rose to their feet and participated in an heartbreaking minute of silence for fallen Jasperites Tegan Barker and and Teagan Lee, as well as for firefighter Morgan Kitchen. 

“This was his church,” a family friend said of the young Barker, whose bonds with his dad, Chuck, were forged in the Jasper Arena. The two Barley Kings often played on a line together and the prolonged, hollow silence in the at-capacity facility spoke volumes for the continued grief over the community’s profound loss. 

“You could hear a pin drop,” a tearful Karen Kovich remarked. 

Although the commercial hockey season has drawn to a close, there is still plenty of on-ice action to catch in Jasper. The U15 Bearcats are Provincial Championship hosts this weekend and in April, several tournaments will help keep Glenda’s fryer frying.

Keep your eye on the Jasper Arena schedule for the latest updates. 

Bob Covey // bob@thejasperlocal.com