GRAND FALLS-WINDSOR, NL – Central Newfoundland’s trophy case is in need of another shelf.
The Bishop’s Falls Express won the tier two Bantam Mega Tournament in Conception Bay South on April 7, rallying from a 3-1 deficit in the championship game to defeat the St. John’s Caps.
“It was a total team effort, and the goalie was standing on his head,” said Express assistant coach Neil Bradbury. “The boys pulled it out, they were getting a little discouraged at the last of it there until we got that second goal. They came to life, everybody did their little part, and they pulled if off against a strong opponent in a St. John’s team.”
Defenceman Isaac Green kickstarted the comeback in the third period of the championship game with a pinpoint shot from the blue line. Ryan Davis and Nathan Bradbury notched goals of their own shortly after to tie and take the lead. The Express fought and held their lead, and left Conception Bay South with a provincial championship.
“It was a pretty exciting game,” said Bradbury. “The fans were really into the game, we had a good tournament there.”
The Express fared just as well in the skills competition during the tournament. Nathan Bradbury was the fastest skater in the B division, with four of the top five skaters being from the Express, including Dawson Joy, Isaac Greene, Aiden Boyd, and Noah Hutchings.
Bradbury added the Express only iced two lines of offence and defence, six forwards and mostly four defenceman. The Express only lost one game during the tournament, to the CBR Renegades in round robin play.
“We had a real good year,” said Bradbury.
The Bishop’s Fall Express competed in six tournaments on the season, winning five gold medals and a silver.
“The parents up in the stands, they’re a big part of it too,” he added. “They kept the boys going.”
