The Edge Mountaineers boysí prep team was one step away from reaching the final of the first-ever World Sport School Championship in Calgary last week.
Led by Kyle Baumgardnerís 12-save shutout, the Edge School team beat the Okanagan Hockey Academy (OHA), from Penticton, B.C., 2-0 in a quarterfinal matchup at Winsport Arena, Dec. 29.
The Mountaineers moved on to face the undefeated Finland U-17 national team in a semifinal, Dec. 30, after the Rocky View Weekly went to press.
The other semifinal, of the six-team tournament, was between Shattuck-St. Maryís from Minnesota and the Pursuit of Excellence (POE) from Kelowna.
The gold medal game took place on Dec. 31.
For the Mountaineers and OHA quarterfinal, it was their second consecutive game against each other, following Edgeís 3-2 shootout win in the preliminary round finale, Dec. 28.
John Gosbee scored the game-winning goal with three minutes left in the first period, while Cam Amantea added the insurance marker 18 seconds into the third period.
The Mountaineers outshot OHA 34-12.
The Edge School lost its first two tournament games, 3-1 to POE, Dec. 27, and 3-1 to the national U-17 team from Slovakia.
The Edge School has announced plans for a boys Bantam AAA hockey team for the 2012-13 hockey season.
The Bantam Mountaineers will play a 35-45 game schedule, and while details are still being finalized, the team has made application to play in the North American Prospects Hockey League (NAPHL).
Edge said it also hopes to participate in Canadian Sport School Hockey League Showcase weekends and other tournaments.
ìThe creation of this team provides a unique opportunity for Edge student-athletes to play for Edge and enjoy all of the benefits that come when you combine a passion for sport, world-class facilities, excellent educational opportunities and high performance training in one central location,î Edge staff stated in a press release.
Other details, such as coaching, selection process and dates, schedules and costs, are still in the planning process.
The Rocky View Weekly will follow up when the information becomes available.
