Long Time Comin'!!

This weekend was high school hockey region championships. Most of you know that Aaron has coached Soldotna High School's hockey team for 5 years. What you may not know is that when he started with the program, he had 19 kids total, only a handful of whom could stand up on skates. The last few years have been painful, but a rewarding experience for Aaron and the players who have come to admire and respect him as a coach and an example. Many of his players come home from college and drop in for a visit. Soldotna's hockey program has been in existence for 27 years, but has only won a regional title 4 times (most back in the mid 90's). 

After a very successful season of 9-1-1, Sohi took home the Region III title on Saturday night with an overtime win against Palmer High. It was a total nail-bitter of a game, all that a region championship game should be. There were times my mom couldn't even watch the game (mostly when the puck was in our zone). I thought Haylee was going to get us kicked out of the rink with all of her screaming at the refs! You should have heard that crazy girl. Despite some horendous reffing, and our goalie getting wiped out twice, Sohi took it home with an amazing OT goal scored by Brad Dewey. Apparently one of the parents got it on video and said it was brilliant. He ended up getting crashed into the goal, with the goalie checking him and as he was flying mid air, he somehow managed to poke the rebound in for the big win. What a night for Sohi and I am thrilled for my very happy husband. Go Stars!!

Here is Aaron, taking his usual game stance behind his players.

 

Aaron giving his exhausted players the game plan as they head into OT.

 

Celebrating the big win. Aaron is in the middle of that pile somewhere.

The final score. I hope the team doesn't have to wait too long for their banner.