Ukrainian peewee hockey team loses tournament but wins hearts – Montreal | 24CA News
The fascinating hockey love story between Quebec and the Ukraine Selects has come to an finish, as they misplaced 2-1 towards the Vermont Flames Academy Friday morning on the Quebec International Peewee Hockey Tournament in Quebec City.
Prior to the loss, hope was up throughout.
With stoic dedication, the Selects stepped out of their locker room and onto the ice to face off towards the American group.
The stands of Quebec City’s Videotron centre have been filled with Ukrainian flags and cheering supporters.
“What these little guys live in their country is so tough to see. They need our support so we came,” mentioned Kevin Caron, a Quebec City resident. “Even with the snowstorm outside, no matter what, we were going to be here.”
Viktoriya Kravchuk, a Ukrainian Quebecer, was within the stands as effectively.
“I see these little kids that are here to have fun, and they didn’t expect that. All of a sudden they are stars, they are proud. It’s all a mix of emotions. I just want to hug them,” Kravchuk mentioned whereas clutching a large Ukraine flag. “I know that the families there are watching every step, every move.”
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The group was cobbled up collectively by Quebecer Sean Bérubé who mentioned he spent $40,000 out of his personal pocket to deliver them to the worldwide peewee event.
“I spent my teenage years there [in Ukraine] playing hockey and of course, I wanted to give back to Ukraine,” Bérubé mentioned.
Bérubé wished to assist them overlook the hardships of the battle.
Once strangers, the group has develop into a household.
“They call me uncle Sean,” Bérubé confessed amid laughter. “I feel as if they’re my sons.”
Back on the ice, it was critical business.
The Flames lead 2-0 within the third interval, when seconds earlier than the ultimate whistle, the Selects scored, however nonetheless fell wanting their objective of advancing within the event.
In the locker room, gamers couldn’t maintain again tears.
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Disappointment ran deep for among the teenagers who have been hoping to win for his or her dads who’re preventing within the battle.
“I just lost this chance,” mentioned participant Zahar Kovalenko as his head hung low.
Oleksii Shkrabak shared his unhappiness. “Our team is now upset but we had fun all of this tournament,” Shkrabak mentioned.
Coach Evgheniy Pysarenko understands their ache.
“They represented their country in this difficult situation. That is why they wanted to win so hard. We missed a couple of chances, and I don’t know, luck wasn’t on our side, unfortunately,” Pysarenko mentioned. “But they fought till the top. And they didn’t hand over. It’s nice. Strong characters.
“They also represent the people who are fighting now.”
After the sport, a Ukrainian flag was displayed on the ice with the title of one of many gamers’ fathers who died in fight and the title of one other father who’s at present preventing on the entrance strains.
The group is leaving Quebec on Monday, again to their sobering actuality — however not with out having gained the hearts of a whole province and maybe the world.
“Heart and courage, that’s what they’ve shown the world,” Caron mentioned.
— with information from the Canadian Press
© 2023 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
