ARMENIAN BALL HOCKEY CLASSIC
In just one year, our numbers jumped from 49 to 76 players as 9 full teams competed. This was way beyond our wildest dreams!! Here’s to hoping we can surpass the 💯 mark next year!!
The Despots went undefeated, going a perfect 5 for 5. They compiled an outstanding +29 differential and join Team Ararat as the only teams to be crowned champions of the Armenian Ball Hockey Classic.
Despite their dominant run, the Despots found themselves a worthy adversary in the finals as they faced off against the Red Vipers in a defensive showdown.
The Red Vipers were blazing hot. They had defeated the defending tournament champs Team Ararat in the quarterfinals, followed by another victory against the overall 2 seed Team Massis in the semi-finals.
With just under 3 minutes left in the finals and the game scoreless, the Despots were awarded a penalty shot and Arek Saiyan gave the Despots the single goal they needed, in route to a 1-0 win in the finals!
A total of 19 games were played during the weekend – 17 adult games and 2 junior games. We listened to your suggestions from last year and we’re proud to say that the schedule ran on time!
2 exhibition games between youngsters aged 9-16 years old took place during the tournament on Sunday May 6. Both games were close and produced dramatic finishes. Pictures & videos will be released in the new year.
- Top goal scorer : Arek Saiyan (Despots, an impressive 15 goals & 20 points in 5 games)
- Top goaltender : Nazo Agbabian (Despots, an unreal GAA of 1.2 in 5 games)
- Top defender : Barouyr Tsovikian (Despots) and Zareh Asparian (Red Vipers) : two exemplary performances of hard solid defending with clean sportsmanlike techniques.
With the beautiful weather on display, we diversified the food options this year as the BBQ was on hot demand all weekend. Thank you to the scout members for their great work on this front.
The tournament was filmed and photographed. The best footage will be edited and released at the beginning of the 2019 to commemorate the tournament.