The Western Canada U-16 Challenge Cup was recently renamed the WHL Cup prior to this year’s showdown featuring the best U-16 hockey players in Western Canada.

The event was renamed and since then Team Alberta has dominated the competition claiming five of the six tournament titles.

Interesting enough it was Team BC that grabbed the spotlight winning the 2017 WHL Cup, which was the first time that Team BC were crowned champions dating back to 2012.

Earlier in the day it was Team Manitoba who defeated Team Saskatchewan grabbing the Bronze, but it was the matchup between Team Alberta and Team BC that had everyone talking.

Playing on home ice (Winsport Arena) it was Team Alberta that grabbed an early 1-0 as they headed to the dressing rooms.

Alberta’s Connor McClennon put them up with a 2-0 lead, with many thinking of another championship, but as they say “it’s not over till the final whistle” and that proved true.

Surrey’s Justin Sourdif notched his third of the tournament while on the PP with helpers going to Valley West Hawks teammate, Cameron MacDonald.

Tyson Phare managed to get the even up goal rounding out the second that saw exceptional “tending” at each end.

A short 20 second in the third saw Delta’s Ryan Watson score giving Team BC the first lead of the game, but that was short-lived as Alberta’s McClennon notched his second of the game with under two minutes to play in regulation time.

Overtime proved to be a somber time for Alberta as it was Ben King hammered home the winning marker at 2:37 after taking a pass Watson giving Team BC a 4-3 win.