The Whitehorse Senators didn’t have a seasoned veteran between the pipes at the Year End Tournament over the weekend.
Instead they had a rookie goalie who just started playing in net.
It was undetectable.
The Senators shut out the Whitehorse Jets 5-0 in the final to win the novice division in the Whitehorse Minor Hockey Association’s season closer at the Canada Games Centre on Sunday.
Needless to say, Senators goalie Charlie Gill, was “very surprised” to get his first shutout with a gold medal on the line.
“It felt great to get the gold because last time we didn’t get gold,” said Gill, referring to the Yukon championships.
Not only has Gill been playing in net just a couple weeks, this was his first year playing hockey.
“He showed today that he can really play that position,” said Senators coach Trevor Twardochleb. “We have a lot of first-year players and it was beautiful to watch them develop through the course of the year.”
Sens’ Ty Beacon scored his team’s final three goals, all in the third period, for the hat trick and had an assist. His second goal came while the Sens were enjoying a two-man advantage, capitalizing on a wraparound, and scored late in the game on another power play.
Senators’ Marko Cooper scored the game winner early in the second period, making it 1-0 on a tight angle shot. Sawyer Adams scored the Senators’ second goal of the game during another power play jaunt.
“We had a tough time with this Jets team throughout the year,” said Twardochleb. “I bet they beat us more than we beat them.”
“One thing I like about our team and our philosophy of our team is: everybody plays,” he added. “We rotate the lines all the way through, no matter the situation, no matter the score. Everybody plays.
“We have a heck of a great team here with a lot of great kids, we have great coaches and a great group of supportive parents, and it makes for an enjoyable season.”
In the battle for bronze, the Canucks beat the Canadiens 11-6.
Canucks won the Yukon Novice Hockey Championships in Dawson City in February, beating the Senators in the final.
Canucks’ Nolan Matthews had five goals while teammate Tanner Gorrel scored a hat trick. Orlina Menard had a goal and two assists for the Canucks.
Contact Tom Patrick at
tomp@yukon-news.com