The fascinating hockey love story between the Quebec and Ukraine Selects has come to an end as they fell to a 2-1 loss against Academy of Vermont Flames on Friday morning. Quebec International PV Hockey Tournament in Quebec City.
Before the defeat, there was hope all around.
With determination, the selectors walked out of their locker rooms and onto the ice to face off against the American team.
The stands at Quebec City’s Videotron Center were filled with Ukrainian flags and cheering supporters.
“It’s so hard to see what these little people live in their own country. They need our support so we came,” said Quebec City resident Kevin Caron. “Even with the snowstorm outside, no problem No, we were supposed to be here.”
Ukrainian cubbyser Victoria Kravchuk was also in the stands.
“I see these little kids who are here to have fun, and they didn’t expect it. Suddenly they’re stars, they’re proud. It’s all a mix of emotions. I just want to hug them,” Kravchuk said. Holding up a giant Ukraine flag, he said: “I know the families there are watching every step, every step.”
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The team was put together by cuber Sean Berube, who said he spent $40,000 out of his own pocket to get them into international peewee tournaments.
“I spent my teenage years there [in Ukraine] I’m playing hockey and yes, I want to give something back to Ukraine,” Berube said.
Berube wanted to help him forget the hardships of the war.
Once strangers, the team has become a family.
“They call me Uncle Sean,” confessed Berube amid laughter. “I feel like they are my sons.”
Back on the ice, it was serious business.
The Flames lead 2–0 in the third period when, seconds before the final whistle, the Selects scored, but still fell short of their goal of advancing in the tournament.
The players could not hold back their tears in the locker room.
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The disappointment ran deep for some teenagers who had been hoping to win for their fathers who were fighting in the war.
“I missed this chance,” said player Zahar Kovalenko with his head hanging down.
Oleksiy Shcherbak shared his grief. “Our team is upset now but we have enjoyed the whole tournament,” Shkrbak said.
Coach Evgeni Pysarenko understands his pain.
“He represented his country in this difficult situation. That’s why they wanted to win so hard. We missed a few chances and I don’t know, unfortunately luck was not on our side. “But they fought till the end. And they didn’t give up. That’s great. Strong characters.”
“They also represent the people who are fighting now.”
After the game, a Ukrainian flag was displayed on the ice with the name of one player’s father killed in the war and the name of another father currently fighting on the front lines.
The team is leaving Quebec on Monday, back to its grim reality — but not without winning the hearts of the entire province and perhaps the world.
“Heart and courage, that’s what he showed the world,” Caron said.
With files from The Canadian Press
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