The Sun Life Sundogs were atop the regular season Canyon City Hockey League standings heading into the playoffs.

They lost their first game (in a shootout) to Bailey’s. The double elimination format granted the Sun Dogs one last shot at the title; a feat they accomplished by winning five straight games. This included victories over every team in the league (Dirty Northern Muckers, Rapid Fire Roofing Raiders, Bailey’s Pub and The Precision Eavestroughing Predators), including back-to-back wins against the Predators for the championship.

In the final game the Sun Dogs received strong play from their goaltender, Chris Stewart, who stopped a number of key shots against the likes of Marc Andre and Mark Emond. Chris also kept the Sun Dogs in contention stopping two out of three attempts in the shootout the game prior.

Sun Dogs captain, Jordan Moore, stressed the importance of “closing the gap” and forcing the opposing team to make quick passes. The team headed his advice, which gave the Predators very little time to pick up speed.

Kyle Marchuk opened the scoring for the Sun Dogs, tapping in a rebound off a blistering slapshot from Brian Bendall.

Marchuk added a second goal later in the frame with a wrap-around goal. The Sun Dogs also collected a beautiful goal from centre Wes Marsh, and an empty netter from Michael Ross to seal the deal in the final minutes of the game.

All season the Sun Dogs had strong play from the blue line. The finals were no different.

The Sun Dogs’ lone female player had an amazing game, pressuring players much taller and bigger, forcing them to dump the puck and not giving them much room to play.

Sun Dogs’ most passionate players, Angus Cathart and Riley Gibson fuelled the team with their emphatic encouragement both on the ice, and from the bench.

After the game, Sun Dogs left winger Pat Hill, hoisted the cup (which is constructed out of a salad bowl and a fence post), skated triumphantly around the ice, and kissed the cup in glorious fashion.

This report was submitted by Andrew Connors, a CCHL board member.