With a strong commitment to a "defence first, offence second" philosophy, the Seafair Pee Wee Fireballers hockey team have been on fire.
Seafair ended 2011 with a bang, winning a tournament in North Van. A week later, the Fireballers moved past the then first place Arbutus team, with a convincing 6-2 win to take over top spot. Last week, the locals clinched the regular season banner with a 4-3 win over a gritty Vancouver Thunderbirds team.
"The kids have worked hard and deserve all they have received. Their commitment to playing defence first and offence second is the main reason for their success," said coach Kem Hamaguchi.
Proof of this, is the Fireballers' league leading goals against average of 1.40. Defensively, goalie Max Abah has been the "rock" of the team, but has had a great support from blueline coach Rick Beetstra and his crew of Chris Banno, Matt Beetstra, Kiyon Kara, Sam Moor-Smith, and McKenzie Nielsen.
Offensively, forwards coach Tom Johnston's group is led in scoring by Quinn Griffith, Dominic Hyrman, Craig Johnston and Noah Watson. Equally as important is the all around play of his centers - Rohet Bains, Parker Laing and Andrew McCoy. Atom call-ups Ethan Wong and Connal Lau have also been standouts when called upon.
The Fireballs now enter the playoffs as favourites to be one of the two teams to play in the season-ending championship banner game.
