CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — The Central Attack wrote another chapter in a memorable season this weekend.
Max Sentner scored twice and Jack Howatt provided MVP goaltending Sunday as the Attack defeated New Brunswick’s Dieppe Flyers 4-2 to capture the bantam AAA division of the 44th annual Source for Sports Spud Minor Hockey Tournament.
“It’s been a long run in Spud tournament,” Sentner said. “It feels really good. The boys worked hard, and I think we got the job done.”
The victory comes after the team won the Monctonian in November but lost in the seeding round of the Chronicle Herald East Coast Ice Jam in Halifax a month ago.
It left a bad taste in the players’ mouths and they spent the past four weeks focused on getting back to the level of play they expect from one another.
“They were hungry,” head coach Jeff Squires said. “I think they had something to prove coming back here this weekend.”
After a scoreless first period, Sentner deflected Cam Squires pass past goalie Olivier Dallaire to make it 1-0 six minutes into the second period.
“I was just busting to the net, worked hard to get there (with my) stick on the ice and Cam made a really good pass . . . and I just buried it home,” said Sentner, a 13-year-old Cornwall resident.
Bates Ling converted a 2-on-1 pass about a minute later to make it 2-0.
The Flyers responded but Landon MacDonald made a big defensive play to stop an odd-man rush the other way and Daimyan Boyle went to the ice to block a shot.
Sentner then scored the eventual game-winner while being hauled to the ice. He was on his stomach with the delayed penalty being called when the puck went past Dallaire.
“I got hauled down, but I stuck with it and put it in the back of the net,” Sentner said.
RELATED: Click here for a story on the Hall family who volunteer at the tournament.
Dieppe captain Samuel Savoie scored 3:10 into the third, but Cam Squires restored the three-goal lead on a beauty goal with 9:45 to play. Patrick LeBlanc cut the lead back to two 20 seconds later.
That’s all the Flyers would get past Howatt, who shut the door the rest of the way.
“It’s a compliment to him and his focus as a goaltender,” coach Squires said.
“Jack Howatt has been on a quite a run this season and it’s a real compliment to him and how hard he’s working at being a real top-end goalie.”
The Attack defeated the Moncton Hawks 2-1 in overtime in the semifinal with captain Kal White scoring the winner. The Flyers defeated the North West Bulls 1-0 in overtime to book their ticket in the final.
“There’s not a lot of difference and in the championship game it’s about who is going to execute a little bit better (or get a big special teams play),” said coach Squires. “Our guys deserved to win today. They played hard.”
The Attack rolled its lines and defence pairs while both goalies played during the playoff round. The importance of the team’s depth showed as the squad didn’t lose momentum regardless which players were sent over the boards.
“Everybody has a role, and everybody has bought into the team concept and they really are pulling for one another on the bench,” a proud coach said. “It’s all about accomplishing great things as a team.”
The Attack, atop the bantam standings with a 22-2-0 record, will work towards getting ready for provincials and hopes to represent Prince Edward Island at the Atlantics.
Champions
A look at the champions at the 44th annual Source for Sports Spud Minor Hockey Tournament.
Atom
Pownal
Peewee
EDZA South Warriors
Bantam
Central Attack
Midget
Western
Central Attack bantam head coach Jeff Squires said: “It’s a great hockey memory. . . . You look at the older guys that are back at the rink here now, Spud (holds) a lot of fond memories for a lot of people in this community.”
