The Hazelton Bulldogs hockey team won the Spring Classic peewee tournament last week in Richmond and had to battle the elements just to play.
They drove 1,100 kilometres through a blizzard to play, have fun and succeed.
Each player brought home a gold medal and another trophy to display proudly at their home rink.
The 11 and 12-year-old girls and boys team, with help from two 10-year-olds, took top spot in the annual Richmond Minor Hockey Association Spring Classic against 16 teams leading to elimination matches that ended Monday.
Participating peewee teams came from Seattle, White Rock, Surrey, Richmond, Nanaimo and Lake Cowichan.
In four days the Bulldogs played seven games, winning six, including overtime victories of 2-1 and 4-3 and a 1-1 tie.
The strong play allowed the Bulldogs the opportunity to play the Richmond Ice Dogs in the final.
The final proved to be less challenging than the two previous games and the Bulldogs cruised to a 5-1 victory.
Over 50 fans travelled to watch the team play and the team responded to the support, according to Gordon Wood, from Steveston and was there in support of the Bulldogs.
“They travelled the farthest of any of the teams, played some of the best hockey I’ve seen in a long time, played not individually but as a team,” Wood, who coaches in the RMHA, said.
“Each of the Bulldogs put Hazelton on the map and made your friends and family proud,” Wood said.