Central Alberta's Mavericks Elite team is proving to be lacrosse's version of hockey's “Miracle on Ice”.
A group of 18 local boys, including five from Innisfail and one from Bowden, were brought together for just four practices before heading down to Irvine, Calif. to represent Central Alberta at the United States Box Lacrosse National tournament.
The Mavericks team, organized and initiated by team manager Becky Grabill, were selected by a double selection process (they had to be recommended by their own coach as well as by an opposing coach), primarily from the rural midget teams that play out of the B division of the Central Alberta Lacrosse League, which includes the communities of Innisfail, Bowden, Olds, Hobbema, Red Deer, Three Hills, and Lacombe.
The team members had no idea what to expect when they headed down to California, but players and staff knew they would be facing some of the best teams in the United States -- specialty elite teams that had been competing at the national level for years.
The goal of the Central Alberta team was to give rural players exposure and a unique, playing experience -- something they don't often have access to as readily as players from the higher level big-city clubs.
But little did they know their miracle was about to unfold.
The first game was against the Washington JR Stealth, and the Mavericks battled for a 4- 2 win, leaving their loyal supporters proud and happy the team could go home with at least one win. But the best teams were yet to come with three games scheduled the next day.
But the Mavericks really stepped up their game and shocked the CALI-LAX All-Stars 5 - 4 in a shootout to take the second game of the series. The CALI-LAX All-Stars had not lost a game in more than 50 games during a two-year time span. The local boys started to have a magical feeling they just might be a bona fide contender in this elite competition.
The team went on to the third game of the series with yet another win, a 6 – 2 victory over the CALI-LAX White Team. This was a clincher game as it put the little team from Central Alberta in first place. From there, the Mavericks were asked to submit eight players to play on the tournament All-Star Team, which would compete in an exhibition game against TEAM USA.
And then the Miracle on Ice came. The All-Star Tournament Team beat TEAM USA 2-0.
The once grossly underdog Mavericks squad were then told their stellar tournament performance guaranteed them a spot in the gold medal game.
Although tired and worn by the California heat, the Mavericks were not willing to carry on with any blemish to their tourney record and won their final round robin game in a 7 - 6 shootout over the Denver Elite – locking up at least a silver medal. They also knew they would face the CALI-LAX All Stars again, who would be out for revenge for the earlier loss.
With adrenalin high for the gold medal game, the Mavericks knew they would be considered long shots to win the gold medal but there was no stopping them of dreaming big.
The game started with the Mavericks scoring the first goal, but the CALI-LAX All-Stars were not going to go down without a fight, and by the end of the first frame the locals were down 2-1. By the end of the second, the teams were tied 3 - 3. During the third period, the Mavericks were behind again and the silver medal looked inevitable.
But the kids from Central Alberta would not give up. They persevered and played like champions. The game was at 6 – 6 by the end of the third. This forced yet another shootout.
Against all odds, the local shooters scored and the goaltending stood tall, giving the remarkable Central Alberta team an improbable and incredible gold medal victory.
The coaching staff of Andrew McBride, Trey Christensen, Dave Welton, as well as manager Becky Grabill, were huge contributors to the Miracle on Ice team. They were also supported by Innisfail Minor Lacrosse and sponsors SLASH Lacrosse, QMax, Western Camp Services, AllNight Trucking, JT Land Services, Caliber Paint, Air Canada, Gladiator Transport, and Black Knight Energy.
The Mavericks' Miracle on Ice accomplishment was a win for all of Central Alberta.
