14 Wing Greenwood’s old timers Bombers switched out almost half their 2023 Canadian Armed Forces national title-winning roster, but played out a win on home ice in the 2024 Atlantic regional tournament February 6 to 9.
Greenwood defeated the 12 Wing Shearwater Flyers 6-2 in the February 9 final, and will now prep to return to nationals in just a few weeks.
“Congratulations to all the teams for your commitment to Canadian Armed Forces sports, and the high level of skill you’ve demonstrated,” said 14 Wing Deputy Wing Commander Lieutenant-Colonel Dev Pacquette, presenting the tournament trophy and gold and silver medals to the finals’ teams as the tournament closed.
“Thank you to the Personnel Support Program team and the other wing entities, including food and accommodations, that allow us to host this tournament – a lot of work goes into this. And, thank you to the officials.”
The final held tight through two periods, with Shearwater’s Sergeant Matt Backhouse scoring unassisted. Greenwood’s Major Garret Milne, assisted by Warrant Officer Pier-Oliver Poulin and Chief Warrant Officer Trevor Porteous, answered. With just under two minutes left, Greenwood’s Sergeant Adam Somerfeld, joining the team from 5 Wing Goose Bay, scored, assisted by Warrant officer Chris Green and Sergeant Dave Jenkins. Shearwater tied it to 2-2 with just 50 seconds left in the second period on a goal from Petty Officer Second Class Mike Laphen, assisted by Sailor First Class JD Paradis and Master Sailor Shawn Peverill.
In the third period, Greenwood took it to 3-2 on a goal from their captain, Warrant Officer Jeff Hull, assisted by Somerfeld and Jenkins; and then 4-2, on a second goal from Hull, assisted by Poulin. Shearwater pulled their goalie, but Greenwood took advantage and went to 5-2 on a goal from Jenkins, assisted by Poulin. With 23 seconds left, Greenwood sealed it with a goal by Master Corporal Luke Verran, assisted by Captain Marc Roach and Warrant Officer Andrew Seward.
“It was hard when they came back to 2-2, but that’s nothing,” said 14 Wing Greenwood Bombers captain Chief Warrant Officer Dave McDowell. “It’s 0-0. We came out and broke their back with that first shift in the third – it was really a good shift. Everyone was very happy.”
Greenwood made the final with a winning round robin record, including a 2-1 opening win over CFB Halifax and a 3-0 win over Shearwater. That Shearwater game was important, with the winner advancing to Friday’s final and the loser playing again that same day to ensure the second finals’ spot.
“This is the game we want to win,” said McDowell.
Greenwood did the work, keeping Shearwater off the board on goals from Seward, Hull (assisted by Jenkins and Somerfeld) and Captain Marc Roach (assisted by Verran and Jenkins).
Shearwater met Halifax on Day 1 and took a 6-2 win on goals from Master Warrant Officer Brian McIntosh (three), Master Warrant Officer Andrew Glessing, Sailor First Class JD Paradis and Master Warrant Officer Mike Rayment. Halifax’s two came from Major Kyle Thebault and Petty Officer Second Class Eric Flanagan.
The second vs third game between Shearwater and Halifax February 8 was make-or-break for both teams for that finals spot. Shearwater held out for a 5-4 win on goals from Glessing (two), Captain Matt Backhouse, McIntosh and Master Warrant officer Simon Roberts. Halifax goals came from Lieutenant-Commander Jeff Murray (two), Petty Officer First Class Curtis Chambers and Chief Petty Officer Second Class Keith Sanford. In the sudden death overtime, Shearwater got what it needed, with a goal from Master Sailor Shawn Peverill.
