By TERRY PUGH
The Warman Wildcat Warriors won the silver medal in the U15 division of the Western Challenge Cup ball hockey tournament on Saturday, July 12.
The Wildcat Warriors’ 7-0 loss to the high-powered Edmonton Royals in the championship final marked their only defeat in six games over the four-day tournament, which kicked off July 9. Not bad for a pickup team that had only practiced together for a few days prior to the tournament in Martensville, Warman and Saskatoon.
This marked the first time the prestigious tournament was hosted by Saskatchewan, and it drew dozens of teams in U11, U13, U15 and U17 age divisions from across the three western provinces.
The Flatland Flyers, another Saskatchewan team in the U15 division, were edged 3-2 in the bronze medal game by the Calgary Fury White July 12. The U15 division also included the BC Wildcats, Calgary Fury Black, and Battleford Bruisers.
In the U17 division, the Sask Mavericks took gold with a 9-2 victory over the Edmonton Stars, while the YXE Bruisers claimed the bronze medal with a 9-2 win over the Sask Outlaws.
In the U13 division, the Edmonton Kings came out on top, with a 6-1 victory over the Victoria Vipers in the championship final, while Metro U13 WCC won the bronze medal with a 7-4 win over Saskatoon Balls of Glory. Other teams in the U13 division were the Bridge City Moose, Battleford Bruisers, Northern Lights, Saskatoon Grizzlies, Calgary Fury White, Calgary Fury Black, and Surrey Scorpions
The U11 championship went to the Sask Pigeons after they knocked off the North Edmonton Oil 5-2 in the gold medal game. The Calgary Fury U11 beat the JHL Scorpions 4-0 in the bronze medal match-up. Other teams in the division included: Battleford Bruisers, Prairie Boys, Regina Rush, and Saskatoon SaskWatch Thrashers.
Hundreds of spectators took in the event over the four-day tournament.