May 9 - 10, 2003 saw 9 High School roller hockey teams converge on the Sportsplex in Langley for the first-ever BC High School Roller Hockey Championships.

This tournament saw a wide range of skill levels as players from the WHL, BCHL, Midget AAA, Bantam AAA and recreational players all suited up to test themselves against the rest.

The tournament began Friday night with the 9 teams separated into 3 pools. At the end of the night's action, the teams were then re-seeded into new pools for Saturday's Qualifying Rounds.

These early round games gave everyone notice of the top teams to beat come Saturday. Sardis (Chilliwack), Belmont & Claremont (both Victoria) stormed out of the gate with convincing wins to set themselves up as the front-runners for the High School title.

Once the action resumed early Saturday, these three teams continued to separate themselves from the pack as the clear favorites. Seedings going into the Playoffs were as follows:

1. Claremont
2. Sardis
3. Belmont
4. Lambrick Park, Victoria
5. Walnut Grove, Langley
6. Queen Elizabeth, Surrey

Belmont cruised to victory over an out-manned Queen Elizabeth team in one Quarterfinal while Lambrick Park and Walnut Grove fought a see-saw battle to the end. Lambrick scored a late powerplay goal and an empty-netter to seal the deal and move on to the semifinals.

#2 Sardis versus #3 Belmont was the best matchup of the tournament so far as both teams had an easy march through the early rounds and now faced stiff opposition. Belmont used a controlled, possession game and some powerplay tallies to build the early lead. As the 2nd half wore on Belmont seemed to have a comfortable 9-5 cushion, until Sardis notched a couple of quick goals to make it a two-goal game. Sardis was unable to get any closer and Belmont moved onto the finals.

#1 Claremont proved in the other semifinal to have too much fire power for a game Lambrick Park team. Claremont scored early and often en-route to a convincing win.

The Final set up a matchup of the two Victoria Schools. Belmont again came out and used quick passing, possession game to break down the Claremont defense and build the early lead. Some great goaltending was seen at both ends of the rink, and Claremont chipped away at the Belmont lead. When the dust settled Belmont came away with a well-deserved 6-4 win and the High School Title.

CONGRATULATIONS to BELMONT HIGH SCHOOL!

2003 BC High School Roller Hockey Champions