They did it: 14 Wing Greenwood’s senior men’s hockey team is the Canadian Forces Atlantic region’s three-peat hockey champions. With a regional – and national – title in 2023, a second regional title in 2024 and a February 6 win over the hosts 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown Warriors, the Greenwood Bombers were “super happy.
“The three-peat for Greenwood – that’s pretty big for a smaller base,” says assistant coach and player Warrant Officer Pier-Olivier Poulin. “We stayed in the room after the final, super happy.”
February 4, Greenwood had a big day: a Game 2 8-2 win over 12 Wing Shearwater in the afternoon game, followed by a Game 3 8-1 over CFB Halifax that evening. Halifax had earlier won Game 1 2-1 over Gagetown.
February 5, in Game 4, Gagetown beat Shearwater 3-1. In Game 5, Gagetown took a period one 1-0 lead over Greenwood.
“This third game, for us, was the turning point,” says Polin. “We were down one at the start. No one panicked, we stuck to the game plan and came back with four goals.”
That 4-1 win put Greenwood straight through to February 7’s final, ranked first from round robin play. In Game 6, Halifax beat Shearwater 1-0.
February 6, in the quarterfinal, Shearwater lost 7-4 to Gagetown. Gagetown went on to beat Halifax 3-2 in the evening semi-final – and clinch the final’s spot against Greenwood.
The February 7 championship game saw a scoreless first period. Captain Trevor Porteous scored in the second, which proved to be the goal that would hold the game to a 1-0 win for Greenwood.
“We faced a little adversity into that final, but we were playing to win – not to lose,” Poulin says. “Porteous always finds a way to get a big goal – he’s a key factor for us, and he works so hard. It’s easy for the younger members of the team to follow when you see someone over 50 working that hard.”
Poulin says Gagetown’s goalie was really good, but Greenwood “was the best team there.
“Everyone was pulling in the same direction.”
With some roster churn in the week – and days – before regionals, including the change-out of coach Warrant Officer Dave Jamieson; Poulin and team captain Sergeant Dave Jenkins – both players, too – leaned on the team’s third goalie, Master Corporal John McElroy, to run the bench.
“He was a good sport, in it for the boys – amazing,” Poulin says. “He had been listening to us as coaches all year, and he was on the bench reminding the guys of all of that. Dave Jenkins and I never had to step up with coaching during play– John did it.”
McElroy’s father, in nearby Woodstock, had a health turn February 5, and McElroy was able to leave the tournament. He returned for the 9 a.m. final February 7, just hours after his father’s early morning passing; supporting the team, but also benefiting from teammates’ support for himself.
Greenwood’s Captain Marc Roach, posted at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Detachment Aldershot, was the tournament’s MVP. Jenkins, Sergeant Mycael McGraw, Sergeant Andrew Amos, Poulin, Sergeant Luke Verran and Warrant Officer Joel Brooks are members of all three of Greenwood’s regional championship teams. Captain Andrew Lavallee and Captain Chris Flaherty are the team’s newest 37-year-olds. Poulin credits Greenwood leadership for enabling the team’s athletes’ participation – and success.
“We leave regionals a little empty, knowing there are no nationals this year –but we knew that going in.
“Still, we’re keeping the winning culture in Greenwood for a few more years.”
