Niverville Clippers win first HTJHL championship since 1994

For the first time in 31 years, the Niverville Clippers are champions of the Hanover Tache Junior Hockey League.

The Clippers cruised past the Springfield Xtreme in game six of the final March 26, dominating to the tune of a 4-0 victory. Niverville took a 3-1 series lead against the Xtreme, who had only lost a single regulation game this season before the finals.

Head coach Todd Anderson admitted after the game he thought the series tide had turned after a 5-1 game six loss.

“I actually went home and said to my wife, ‘I think the boys might be out of gas,’” Anderson said.

“I was very happy today when they came out and they were fired up and they were moving.”

Niverville frustrated the Clippers all night in game six, bringing a physical style of play while not taking penalties. It appeared like the Xtreme were frustrated by that style, giving up nine powerplays to the Clippers.

“The last game in Oakbank, they hit us a lot, and it kind of frustrated us,” Anderson said, noting Niverville was more suited to play at the bigger ice surface in their home rink as opposed to the smaller one in Oakbank.

“I know the boys were like, ‘okay, we need to start hitting back, or things might not go our way.’ Springfield, they’re such a good team, they skate so hard.”

Captain Teo Lambert, who was playing his final junior hockey game, said Niverville’s smart play paid off.

“We’re a disciplined team,” Lambert said.

“We know when to hit, when to get the puck, when to back off and when to back off. Everybody has a high hockey IQ.”

Lambert added he knew from early in the season this team had a chance to win the championship.

“The boys wanted to come out to the rink every day, wanted to practice harder,” Lambert said.

“It’s been a blast. This is a surreal feeling, it’s awesome.”

Mason Hooper got the scoring in game six underway just two minutes into the game, after a boarding penalty from Evan Jasper. Hooper jumped up from the point, taking a cross ice pass from Hunter Mangin, making the smart decision to one-time the puck. Even though he didn’t catch the shot cleanly, it was enough to beat a sliding Dylan Kizlik for what turned out to be the game winner.

Deegan McGarry gave Niverville more than enough insurance, converting on a penalty shot awarded at the tail end of a Springfield five-on-three powerplay. The marker gave the Clippers a 4-0 lead with eight minutes to go, and the countdown was on.

Goalie Jesse Morris not only picked up a championship-winning shutout, but was also named the most valuable player for the playoffs.

“Whenever we don’t show up to play, (Morris) shows up to play,” Anderson said.

“He’ll come in the room and give the guys a hard time, because they’re not skating, but he stands on his head. He, to me, is the backbone of this team.”

Morris said to overcome Springfield, the Clippers needed to match their speed and outwork the opposition. He made 26 saves in the game six win.

“I can’t go into it expecting a shutout,” Morris said, noting he forgot playoff MVP was even an award to be given out.

“Just go in there and work your ass off.”

Many members of the Niverville 1994 championship team were in attendance to watch the game, including coach Greg Goertzen, who was one of the first to congratulate Anderson when the team left the ice following their celebration.