Pepsi Hikers take lucky 7 after electrifying final

GHB/Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Tournament…

― Bal Wash Ers, Toronto Toros ease to titles

By Romario Samaroo

Pepsi Hikers, Bal Wash Ers and Toronto Toros entertained an enormous crowd at the National Gymnasium, Mandela Avenue on Sunday to capture the titles of their respective divisions in the 13th Guyana Hockey Board/ Diamond Mineral Water Indoor Hockey Tournament.

Pepsi Hikers, defeated Toronto Lions 5-3 in arguably the upset of the tournament saw them move on to battle Queen’s Park CC who earlier made light work of Bounty GCC in the first semi-final winning 6-1.
It was intense competition from the get go that saw five goals being scored inside only four minutes of play which began with the back and forth when Randy Hope netted the first goal for Hikers in the 4th minute (4’), but quickly neutralized by Akim Toussaint meanwhile Most Valuable Player in the male division, Aroydy Branford produced a superb net rocker 15 seconds later as well as providing the opportunity for Robert France to send a third goal in the back of the Queens Park team (QPCC).
Hikers were leading 4-2 heading into the second half but a slight mistake allowed QPCC to bounce back into the game thanks to two quick goals by Jason Govia. However, a late goal in the 36’ was the deciding factor in the local side’s triumph, making them the most successful team in the tournament with seven wins. The match saw the crowd taking sides with each nail biting goal sending the gymnasium into a frenzy, all in the spirit of the game.
Captain of the Hikers team, Robert France said it was a wonderful feeling to come to the competition and remain undefeated, a feat which they have now produced for the third tournament this year.
Debutants in the tournament, USA based Bal Wash Ers entered their second penalty shootout of the night when they locked horns with Queens Park Hockey Club in the finals of the Veterans division.
However, it was not smooth sailing, the USA team were struggling to clear the 2-4 deficit of the QPCC side but with just five minutes remaining on the clock, Inder Bath netted two goals (34’ and 36’) in quick succession to ensure his side were not down and out but rather neutralize the score line at 4-4. Bal Wash Ers and the Queens Park team found much difficulty in penetrating the respective goal keepers eventually carrying the penalty shootout without a single goal being scored but rather the teams entered a sudden death shootout where the USA side emerged victorious.
Bal Wash Ers could have won the game during regulation time had he found the back of the net in a late goal attempt with just five seconds remaining on the clock but unfortunately missed by a hair, forcing the game into a penalty shootout. In the shootout, it was excellent goal keeping by the two goalkeepers, Gregory Garraway (Bal Wash Ers) and Bryan Lee Chow (QPCC) that prevented a single goal in the penalty and ultimately sending the game into a sudden death where Bath netted and secured the prize.
With each penalty shot being taken, the crowd was muzzled as the goalkeepers plied their trade with the highest skill level.
In the Female finals, Woodpecker Hikers came up against a dominant Toronto Toros and were totally outplayed by the experience of the Canadian team, who had returned to the tournament following a few years’ absence to win 5-1.
On their way to the finals, Woodpecker Hikers would have edged Pizza Hut GCC 4-1 while Toronto Toros demolished Old Fort in a comprehensive 7-0 thrashing.
Following their first goal in just two minutes via Kaelan Watson. Danica Jayne was also among the scorers as she stroked up a hat trick (21’, 22’ and 23’) while Kaelan Watson scored the fifth and final goal for the touring team in the 37’. Speaking at the end of the match, Watson said it was a pleasure to return to the tournament, this being her 3rd time here and applauded the level of competition the ladies put forward and predicted a bright future for the sport.