The Eastman Selects defeated the Winnipeg Monarchs 2-1 in a best of three series to win the AAA Bantam Provincial Championship in Landmark over the weekend.

Down But Not Out

After falling in game on on Friday night, the Selects had an uphill battle to get back into the series but, led by captain Denton Mateychuk and goaltender Ethan Penner, they battled back.

Down 2-0 heading into the third period of game 2, the Selects were able to dig down deep and find the back of the net three times to skate away with a gutsy 3-2 win to even the series 1-1 and force a deciding game 3 on Sunday.

Champions!

It was another thrilling game 3 between the top two teams in the Bantam age group as the Monarchs and the Selects battled through 40 minutes to an even 2-2 score.

In the third, the Selects did what champions do and rose to another level scoring three unanswered goals.

The buzzer sounded and the team poured out onto the ice to mob Penner in celebration.

"There was a time when we scored into the empty net where we could step back and see the boys celebrating" head coach Jordan Wohlgemuth said after the victory. "That's what it's all about. The boys worked so hard and to see them in those moments was truly special."

The Monarchs had the lead in all three games but the Selects showed no quit and managed to get back into games thanks to efforts from everyone. Mateychuk was named the series MVP as the defender from Dominion City scored 4 points in 3 games.

Jameson Fehr from Mitchell was dominant as the forward had four points in the three games to lead all players up front.

For Mitchell native Ethan Penner, it was an incredible weekend as he finished 2-0 with 62 saves over the two games.

Soaking It All In

Wohlgemuth, along with his staff of Nick Plett, Chris MacKinnion and Alyssa Wohlgemuth all took moments to let the moments sink in and Wohlgemuth made sure the players did too.

"The kids embraced the moment and really enjoyed the magnitude of it."

Fans, parents, staff and players said they thought this might be the best team in Manitoba.

Now they know, they are right.