The Elm Creek Lightning U11 squad capped off a strong 2025-26 season by capturing the Pembina Valley U11 Gold AA B-side league championship, sweeping their best-of-three final series in two straight games.
Elm Creek opened the series with an 11-5 victory on home ice before clinching the banner with a 9-5 win in Game 2 at Stride Arena in Portage la Prairie.
“It was a good feeling to win the banner and to finish off our season with a win and on a positive note,” said the team’s coach. “Our team performed well for the most part in the finals.”
The deciding game was close through the opening period before Elm Creek pulled away, with Mason Goerzen providing the turning point by scoring three goals from the blue line on precise shots. Carter Bryson added two goals to help extend the lead.
The championship effort reflected the team’s development over the course of the season, particularly in puck movement and overall team play.
“Our team has really improved since the start of the year with positioning and passing the puck and playing as a team,” the coach said. “I’m most proud of how our players pass the puck with each other, which can be a challenge convincing 10-year-olds to pass, but they bought into that.”
Berkley Tournier also played a key role throughout the playoffs, recording points in every game while leading the forecheck with a relentless effort.
The team, made up of players from both Elm Creek and Carman, also showed strong chemistry off the ice.
“Half were from Elm Creek and half from Carman, and I think it’s important they learn how to meet new people and build new relationships,” the coach added. “What stood out was how the kids got along with each other this year.”
The group also learned the importance of consistency, responding to earlier lessons by delivering a complete effort in the final.
“The kids came to play in this final game as we learned from previous games when we don’t play a full game, we don’t usually have success,” he said.
