Burnaby's Keegan Fedorko scored the goldmedal-winning goal for the B.C. Thunder at the recent Canadian junior ball hockey championships in Oakville, Ont.
The 17-year-old Burnaby North Secondary student scored the firstperiod game-winner in a 5-1 victory over Manitoba that avenged last year's under-17 national final over the friendly province.
"You could feel the electricity on the bench. For the last 20 seconds we were all jumping up and down. We couldn't wait for the final whistle," said Fedorko. "When it went, helmets were off, gear and sticks in the air. It was awesome."
Fedorko was named the defensive MVP, as Thunder players dominated national awards at the nationals, including: Jonny Evans (tournament MVP), Tristan Slavin (top goalie), Jonathin Weloy (top scorer) and Nick Gondos and Karsten Seidel (all-stars).
"When I got that (goal), we were on a roll," said Fedorko, who was left off last year's B.C. squad, but got caught up in the team's drive to redeem themselves after last year.
"It was redemption to get that win. It was awesome to beat (Manitoba)." B.C. teams also medalled in the u-15 and u-19 divisions.
The West Coast Wolverines lost the u-15 gold medal to the Winnipeg Warriors 3-1, while the West Coast Express won the bronze following a 5-2 victory over Newfoundland.
The Thunder finished the preliminary round with a 2-1 record, but avenged its only loss at the nationals, a 3-2 defeat to the Ontario Selects, with a 6-0 victory over the central Canada champs in the medal round.
Fedorko, who had five assists in the preliminary round, scored his first goal of the nationals in the win over Ontario.
His father introduced him to the sport at a young age, and the two enjoy playing ball hockey together in a recreational men's league.
The Burnaby teen and six of his B.C. Thunder teammates were scouted at the nationals and the Challenge Cup tournament and are currently waiting to hear if they will be selected to Canada's u- 18 national team for the 2014 world championships in Slovakia.
But while getting a chance to wear the red and white maple leaf jersey for Canada would be a thrill, Fedorko is just as anxious to see his summer sport grow.
"I'm waiting for it to grow even more. It's been my passion since I was growing up," he said.