MOOSE JAW — Prairie Hockey Academy once more played the role of excellent hosts during the Lorne Molleken Elite U17 Prep Prairie Classic held in Caronport over the weekend.
And on this occasion, they completed the task in the most theatrical manner.
The Cougars achieved an unbeaten streak leading to the championship match on Sunday afternoon, where they netted a late goal to equalize against the Edmonton-based South Side Athletic Club before clinching victory with just 0.4 seconds left in the second overtime.
The 5-4 win secured PHA their third consecutive Molleken Classic championship and was undoubtedly one of the most thrilling victories possible.
“We are incredibly proud of the boys, and truly, they maintained their belief throughout the entire weekend,” stated Cougars head coach Rob Holoien. “As we begin 2025, we have initiated discussions regarding the legacy they will leave behind when they transition next year, particularly in relation to the PHA brand.” They played for one another throughout the weekend, and it really didn’t involve us coaches; our leadership group was present and constantly motivated the guys. “They’re developing into a team, and as coaches, we are genuinely looking forward to the second half.”
Events couldn’t have unfolded more positively for PHA in the run-up to the final. They commenced the tournament with a 6-0 victory against Pillot Mound on Thursday at the Barkman Arena, followed by a 5-3 win against the Calgary Royals and a 3-1 defeat of the Leduc Oil Kings on Friday, concluding their round robin pool with a 3-0 record.
The semifinal versus Edmonton’s Canadian Athletic Club followed suit, with Kade Kahovec scoring a hat trick and Hunter Toth contributing the other goal in a 4-1 victory. Karter Hilbig saved 32 shots to lead PHA to the championship match.
Carter Muench started the scoring for SSAC, but Jamie Kirwan and Hogan Hickman answered back before the period ended, giving their team a 2-1 advantage.
Seamus Dillon increased the score to 3-1 right at the start of the second, but David Kuzik pulled one back for Edmonton before the end of the period, and Muench alongside Charlie Leclaire netted goals in the third, bringing it to 4-3 Bulldogs with 2:59 remaining.
Level complete, correct?
Not so quick.
“They’re an excellent hockey team, but our players started strong,” Holoien stated. “We were prepared to compete, even though we felt slightly anxious at first; however, once we got comfortable, the players just continued to excel.” They adhered to the strategy and maintained their belief throughout, even when we were trailing by one with only a few minutes left.
Dane Chalupa became the initial PHA hero, equalizing the score with 1:26 remaining when a point shot from Ethan Unger deflected off him in front and into the goal.
The initial overtime achieved nothing, and it seemed the second wouldn’t either, until Bryden Wagner gained control of the puck in the final moments.
“It’s simply an outstanding personal effort as he retrieves a loose puck, accelerates up the ice quickly, goes one-on-one, and fires it low blocker side to secure the victory for us,” Holoien stated.
The goal was scored with 0.4 seconds left and, as anticipated, sparked a boisterous celebration.
Drake Mooney stopped 46 shots to secure the victory in goal, whereas PHA registered 43 shots on SSAC’s Ashley Ammann.
At this point, focus shifts to the rest of the Canadian Sport School Hockey League season. PHA has a record of 10-14-0-1, placing them ninth in the U17 Prep team standings and ranked 13th by MyHockeyRankings.
