If there’s one thing hockey coaches stress, it’s the value of teamwork.
That certainly paid off for the Reliance Rhinos, who overcame a rough start to capture the Flin Flon Minor Hockey Association novice championship over the weekend.
“Every single player on our team put out 100 per cent,” said head coach Mike Lane. “We had every single player on our team contribute in some way to our win.”
The Rhinos, made up of seven- and eight-year-olds, were one of four teams competing at the novice level this season.
After a challenging start to the regular season, including a weeks-long winless streak, the Rhinos eventually found their game.
In the playoffs the Rhinos charged to the best-of-three final series against the Firemen. The teams went the distance, with Game 3 going into the extra frame.
Ryan Lane was the OT hero, capping off his team’s once-unlikely triumph with the goal of his young career.
The Rhinos enjoyed a windup celebration, complete with floor hockey, at the Ruth Betts Community School gymnasium on Monday.
Also competing at the novice level this year were the Oldtimers and McKeen’s.
