The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
On the weekend of October 19th and 20th, the Hapnot Kopper Kings traveled to Stonewall to compete in the MHSAA Provincial Championships. Their first game was against Hamiota Huskies. Hapnot took an early lead through left-winger Lyle LeClair's goal around the 20 minute mark of the first half. The Kings continued to apply pressure for the remainder of the first half and into the second half. With about ten minutes to go in the match, Hamiota managed to convert on a goal mouth scramble and tie the score at 1-1. With neither side able to take their chances, the game went to extra time. Immediately off the mark Hapnot began to take the game to Hamiota and in the 2nd minute of extra time right winger Kevin Spence sent a high ball into the area which beat the keeper to give Hapnot a 2-1 lead. Not only did Hapnot deal with Hamiota's attacks for the remaining 13 minutes, but they continued to press forward in an attempt to extend their lead. The game ended with a final score of Hapnot 2, Hamiota 1. Hapnot's second match was against the province's top ranked Garden Valley Zodiacs from Winkler. The game was fast paced, with Garden Valley's class and skill noticeable from the opening kick off. Hapnot's defensive teamwork thwarted the numerous attacks from the Zodiacs. At around the 23rd minute, following a corner midfielder Owen Woloshyn scored to give Hapnot a 1 - 0 lead. The goal, only the 3rd conceded by Winkler all season, threw the Zodiacs off balance. The Kings were able to take the lead into the half time interval. In the second half, Winkler came out firing on all cylinders and within 7 minutes they had equalized at one goal a piece. About ten minutes later the Zodiacs pulled ahead 2 - 1. Finally in the the 25th minute they put the game out of reach by making the score line 3 -1. The loss sent the Kopper Kings to the 'B' side semifinal. The semifinal was against the Swan River Tigers. Hapnot started the game positively. They pushed forward and created problems for Swan's defense. The Kings had numerous chances, one of the best being denied by the crossbar. At half-time the score was 0-0. In the second half Hapnot continued to push forward. On an excellently worked counter attack, Swan River managed to force a heroic save from Hapnot's Nick Hamilton, who had no chance on the follow up. The score was 1 - 0 for Swan River. Hapnot responded by throwing their players forward, knowing that if the score remained the way it was, their quest would be over. After sustaining a high amount of pressure, it was Swan River who, on the counter, won a penalty. After converting from the spot and making the score 2 - 0 for the Tigers, Hapnot continued to attack in droves. However luck was not on their side and they bowed out of the championship.
