First Row: Joel Hulsman
2nd Row: Jason Stafford, Rob McCrory, John Southerst, Brent Tyers
3rd Row: Tony Valaitis, Derek Shebib, Mike Dickenson, Angelo Misale
Absent: Mike Dufour

Ancaster Men’s Hockey League Junior division championship ended with high drama as the Flames scored a last-minute tying marker with their goaltender on the bench and then roofed the winner in overtime for a 2-1 victory over a fast and tenacious Sabres team.

The comeback ended a storybook season for the Flames, who flirted with last place through mid-winter, then scratched and clawed their way to finish third in regular season play before going the distance in the playoffs.

Defensive Gem

Led by captain Jason Stafford, the Flames orchestrated a defensive gem in the final.

The winning formula began with outstanding goaltending from Joel Hulsman, who stood on his head after coming back from a late-season knee injury, and rock-solid work from defencemen Tony Valaitis, Brent Tyers, Rob McCrory and Tom Carson.

The Sabres, led by captain Dan Mahler, were just as stingy with the chances, however. They struck first with six minutes left to break the scoreless tie.

But as time ticked down and with Hulsman on the bench, a clearing pass was intercepted at the blueline and relayed to Angelo Misale, alone in front. He deked and flipped in a backhand to force overtime with 30 seconds left. Jim Barta scored the winner on a rising rocket from the slot to finish it.

Close scores and tight standings all year -- eight points between first and last place at the end -- are a credit to the league. It was fitting that the thrilling final lived up to that standard.

About The League

The Ancaster Men's Hockey League is for players who want to play clean, competitive hockey with other guys who also have to go to work the next day.

The 12 team league has two divisions, a Junior League with 6 teams and a Senior League with 6 teams. The Senior league is open to players who are 40 years of age or older. While there is no age restriction for the "Junior" league, most of the players are close to 40 or older.

Each team has 10 players who are rated from 1 to 10 by skill. That means lots of ice-time for everyone and league parity since all teams have equally rated players. If a player can't make a game, the team rep calls a player with an equivalent rating from the Spare List to replace him. Usually the best way to get into the league is to get on the Spare List first for a year or two.

Games are played Friday and Saturday nights at Morgan Firestone and Spring Valley arenas. Teams play a 27 game season including playoffs. The cost to play in the league is $335.