Cup Division Champions Team YMV from Helena defended their two-year title after beating the Brown Stars of Portland, Ore. by two points in overtime. Pictured Back (L-R): Will Parr, Wade Juntunen, Justin Kennedy and Theo Campe. Front (L-R): Bill Shropshire and Chris Edmunds.
Competitive League Champions Mighty Merkins from Spokane, Wash. Pictured (L-R): Jason Anderson, Chris Keck, Jake Barron, Jake Walsh, and Branden Amatto with daughter Ehva.
Womens' League Champions Saucy Little Minx from Bozeman defended their title from last year with only a slight change in the roster. Pictured (L-R): Aly Ridgway, Hannah Schweitzer, Susan Meyer, Terra Spotts and Nancy-Clair Laird. Not pictured: Julianne Shuman.
Intermediate League Champions Here4Beer from Missoula. Back (L-R): Matthew Schmidt, Dan Brewer, Patrick Schwab and Jeremy Keene. Front (L-R): Mick Schreckendgust and Tyler Richardson.
4 Frosty Boxes (name abbreviated) of Missoula was the Co-Rec Champion for the second year in a row. Back (L-R): Craig Foddrill, Berkley Svingen, Will Grossmann, Mignon Hess and Holly Foster. Front (L-R): Ashley Parks with the teams two biggest fans. They were sponsored by Red's Bar in Missoula.
Team YMV from Helena was back to defend their two-year title in the most competitive league, called Cup this year. After being undefeated in the pool play, the Brown Stars from Portland, Ore. proved to be a challenge in the championship game.
At the half, Team YMV was down by one point. Following a two-minute overtime, Team YMV came out with the win 27-25.
Last year's B League was split creating the Competitive and Intermediate Leagues.
First year team, the Mighty Merkins from Spokane swept the Competitive League with their speed, passing and puck handling. They went undefeated in the tournament winning the championship game against the Beavers 36-25. They were quick to say they would be back to defend their title next year.
"First time playing pond hockey, first time here and definitely coming back," said Mighty Merkin Branden Amatto.
In the Intermediate League, Here4Beer from Missoula came out with the win by 11 points against Turning Hat Tricks from Spokane. Here4Beer played last year and lost in overtime by one goal in the playoffs.
"It is always the funnest weekend of the year," said Here4Beer's Matthew Schmidt.
Patrick Schwab added that Here4Beer's win was for their teammate "Timmer" who was unable to play because he broke his back.
4 Frosty Boxes (name abbreviated) went undefeated in this year's tournament and defended their title in the Co-Rec League. While they had a nine-point lead at the half in the championship game, Pokes from Behind were able to come within seven points. The final score was 31-24.
In the Women's League, defending champion Saucy Little Minx from Bozeman held onto their title. Their only loss was to the Bison Brawns 10-16 in pool play. Both teams met again in the championship game. The game was a low scoring game with the Minx squeaking out the win 13-12.
Team captain of the Saucy Little Minx Susan Meyer said, "We had the most fun. We will be back next year. We love Seeley."
Finally, Tampond Hockey from the Women's League earned the Golden Shovel Award for the third year in a row for shoveling the rink the most times, an honor given to the losing team.
The tenth annual Seeley Lake Pond Hockey will be Jan. 10-12, 2020. Visit seeleylakepondhockey.com for more information.
Reader Comments(2)
nbourne writes:
Thanks Chris. We've updated YMV's hometown.
01/11/2019, 1:53 pm
CEdmunds writes:
Team YMV is from Helena. Otherwise thanks for the great articles.
01/11/2019, 1:27 pm