It has been a dream season for the bantam C female Cowichan Valley Capitals.
The team went a perfect 12-0, and brought home both the regular season and playoff championship banners.
“At the beginning of the season we sat down and the girls came up with a goal for the season: win the banner,” recalled Rob Windsor, who headed up a coaching staff that included Lorne Winship and Darrin St. Amand. “So we discussed and decided with some hard work and dedication we could pull this off.”
In their first game of the season, the Capitals scored more goals than they had in the entire previous season, and they realized they had something special.
“Everyone knew this season was going to be different,” Windsor said.
In 10 league games, the team went undefeated, scoring 64 goals and allowing only nine.
“Forward lines speak for themselves with 64 goals in 10 games, while the defense was superb all year and occasionally when teams made it through them our goaltenders were stellar,” Windsor said. “This was an all-around team effort.”
The Capitals weren’t done yet, and kept going through the playoffs, crushing Nanaimo 13-0 in the semifinal before topping Sooke 7-3 in the title game.
“I have coached quite a few teams in Cowichan from little ones right up to midget competitive rep boys teams, and I have never seen a team — from players to coaches and parents included — pull together, have so much fun and reach so many unthought-of goals in one season,” Windsor said.
“Winning a tournament in Langley, going 10-0 in season play, then taking both league and playoff banners. It was a season the girls won’t forget. And on behalf of the coaches, we couldn’t be prouder of these girls’ dedication and perseverance to achieve their goals.”
Captained by Melanie Robertson with assistants Lindsay Winship, Samantha Lillywhite and Saige Brimacombe, the team included skaters Anya Hermant, Mile Stewart, Kayla Pike, Gracie Innes, Marissa St. Amand, Madeline Moroz, Emma Wright, Cheyenne Sawchuk and Rori Wratten, and goalies Arica Windsor and Quinn Tompkins.
The Capitals, who were sponsored by Pacific Truss/Pacific Homes and Pacific Plumbing, have one more tournament this season in Richmond on March 24-27, where they will face tough competition from throughout B.C., Alberta and Washington.