The P.I.T. Crew has landed in the winner’s circle again.
The Penelakut Island Thunder, fresh off its victory in the Cowichan Football Club’s Futsal indoor soccer tournament, did it again in Campbell River. This time, the team went the slightly harder route by coming through the back door to capture the championship of the Golden Wings 24th annual Perry Assu Memorial indoor tournament.
The Thunder combined with Cowichan’s best young talent and it was a winning combination.
The Thunder prevailed over Poogies Wings of Campbell River 8-3 in its first game.
Then came the team’s only blip on the road to the title with an 8-3 loss to Qathet Braves from Sliammon First Nation of Powell River, but there’s a very good reason why that occurred.
“Half our team left for a very important Div. 1 game for Cowichan,” noted the Thunder’s Patrick Brown.
That outdoor game at Comox ended in a positive 4-2 result.
The loss dropped the Thunder to the losers bracket. But with all team members back on board, there was no stopping the Thunder after that.
The Thunder offense clicked in a big way for a 15-3 victory over Top G, a mixed team of Campbell River, Kingcome Inlet, Alert Bay, Ladysmith and Port Hardy players.
Moving into the quarterfinals, the Thunder beat the Songhees Falcons of Victoria 7-3. The Thunder’s Brent Brown badly injured his ankle in the game and went to emergency at the Campbell River hospital for X-rays.
The Thunder played a rematch against the Qathet Braves in the semifinals. With a full squad this time, the Thunder came through with an 8-4 triumph.
The final game was against Overrated, a team of Kingcome Inlet, Campbell River and Alert Bay guys. The team did turn out to be overrated, as the Thunder won 7-3 for its second straight tournament championship.
The scene switches outdoors now for the players, with a tournament on the Easter weekend in Victoria. “This one is the biggest tournament of the year,” noted Patrick Brown.
Can the Thunder make it three in a row?
The team will also be at the famous Cowichan Buckskin Tournament on the Mother’s Day weekend in May in Duncan.
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Most valuable player, all stars and most valuable goalie award winners from the Thunder, from left, include: Jacob Ready, Devin Jack, Shane Brown (all star and most inspirational player), Michael Daniels, Cordell Jack. (Photo by Courtney Modeste)
Team and individual awards are in abundance for the Penelakut Island Thunder in Campbell River. Back row, from left: Ryan Sampson, Braeden George, Patrick Brown, Jacob Ready, Devin Jack. Front: Shane Brown, Michael Daniels, Cordell Jack, Caden Jack, Henry James. (Photo by Courtney Modeste)
Penelakut Island Thunder players bask in the glory of their championship in post-game presentations. From left: Shane Brown, Patrick Brown, Caden Jack, Jacob Ready, Braeden George, goalkeeper Cordell Jack, Henry James, Michael Daniels, Devin Jack. (Photo by Sophia Jack)
