Agents Win Inaugural Bomber Challenge Cup -Sponsored by Praxinet

The teams were set! The Agents- with a 2-0 record in round-robin play and Team Valley Sports coming in with a record of 1-1. The first contest between these clubs saw the Agents win 6-4 with 2 late third period goals being the difference. So the capacity crowd knew this could be a final to remember. The two clubs did not disappoint playing a tightly checked, fast paced, low scoring contest.

After his Bombers were ousted from the tournament, Bill Auld decided to don the striped shirt and help out with the officiating. The Praxinet Trophy evidently was something both teams wanted their names on and Auld soon wondered what he had gotten himself into. The teams fought hard for pucks and had to be talked down once in a while but in the end it was a great game of hockey.




The game was scoreless after the first and tied at one after the second. This set up for a dramatic ending to a dramatic tournament. Both goaltenders fought off shots from the skilled fowards on each team. It seemed as if the keepers would gobble up every shot they could see and a stellar play or misdirection would be needed to break the tie.

And that's exactly what happened in the middle of the period as Jeff Korn of the Agents hit a low, sharp slapper from the point that was deftly deflected in goal by Chris "who me?" Backshall.

Team Valley Sports pressed ahead and peppered Agent goalie Marc Mezzacca in an effort to save the game. Jay Casey, Alan Bataille and Silk Hoyer each had chances but were denied by the Agent defense corp of Korn, Galton and Maxwell. A questionable penalty to Dan Maxwell for holding the stick raised the ire of the Agents and they let offical Auld know they were not happy.

So the Valley Sports feared power play had the stage with a little over 2mins remaining. But without a goal in the first minute of the PP, Valley tried to pull their keeper for an extra attacker. Before that could be done, Valley keeper Krazy Kyle was forced to make one more unbelievable save. The save may have extended the game but the Valley Sports faithful soon became worried that it may cost them their netminder.



Kyle remained on the ice with what looked to be an ankle injury. But ever the combatant, Kyle got up and bravely finished the game. Unfortunately for Team Valley Sports he was never again in position to come off for the extra attacker. A last second shot by Jay Casey went wide and the Agents were able to celebrate their finals win as Bomber Challenge Cup Champions and the reciepients of the now famous Praxinet Cup!!

Thanks to all who participated!