A former member of the Power Dodge Estevan Bruins played a key role in his team winning one of Canada’s most famous national hockey titles.
Kyle Stroh, who hails from Vibank, was a member of the host Lacombe Generals team that won the Allan Cup, which ran from April 8-13 in the Alberta city. Stroh played for the Bruins from 2006-2009.
Lacombe opened the tournament with a 4-2 loss to the South East Prairie Thunder out of Manitoba. Stroh picked up an assist on Lacombe’s second goal of the game.
Their next game was a 6-2 win over Haut-Madawaska Panthers of New Brunswick. Stroh scored twice in the first period to give his team a 3-0 advantage, and the Generals cruised from there.
The Generals were placed first in their pool with a 1-1 record, and earned a bye to the semifinal. They defeated the Saskatchewan representative, the Rosetown Redwings, 3-1. Stroh opened the scoring 1:48 into the game to set the pace for the contest.
With the win, the Generals moved on to the final, where they played the Innisfail Eagles, also from Alberta. Stroh assisted on the Generals first goal of the game, scored by former Yorkton Terrier Chase Norrish. That goal left the game tied at 1-1. From there, the Generals would score twice in the second and twice more in the third.
Stroh finished tied for the team lead in points with five in four games.
He wasn’t the only former Bruin in the tournament. Troy Hunter, who was the Bruins captain and MVP for the 2010-11 season, was a member of the Southeast Manitoba team. He was held pointless in three games.
Also, former Torquay resident Joel Stepp played for the Innisfail squad during the season, but did not play during the Allan Cup.
