Kindersley’s Braden Close (centre) and his Team Alberta went undefeated at this year’s national sledge hockey championships in Richmond, B.C., last weekend. Close contributed five goals and two assists over the five games they played.

Kevin McBain
of The Clarion

Local athlete Braden Close helped his Team Alberta to win their third straight national sledge hockey championship on the weekend in Richmond, B.C.

The team had a gruelling schedule, playing five games in just three days.

They persevered and won all five games in the four-team tournament.

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In the preliminary round, they defeated B.C. 8-0, Quebec 4-0 and Ontario 3-2.

They advanced to the semifinal against B.C. and defeated them 6-1 to advance to the finals against Quebec, where they had a bit of a tougher game, winning a tight one 1-0.

Team Alberta has now gone undefeated in all three championships.

Close, said that he was pretty happy with how he played.

“I was really happy,” he commented. “I was able to contributed offensively, which is rare for me, and scored five goals and had two assists.

“Highlights for me was scoring two goals against Ontario including a game winner – and of course, celebrating with Team Alberta for the third straight time.”

Close said that he will now take a bit of a break from training, but it may not be for long as he might have the opportunity to try out for the national team in September.

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