With all that is going on currently in the hockey world, you sometimes forget that there are more good people than bad in the game. All the headlines lately may have people outside the sport thinking that the hockey culture is full of bullies, racists, and abusers. Thankfully we have people in the game like T.J. Sullivan.
This past weekend, the Southern Victoria High School Vikings faced off against the St. Stephen Spartans. The Spartans were coming into the game in an extremely tough spot, as their goalie was unable to play due to injury. Cue Davan Cloney.
Cloney, who is normally a defenceman for the Spartans, was willing to jump between the pipes for his team. As anyone can imagine, the transition from player to goalie is a difficult task, and it unsurprisingly did not get off to a good start for Cloney and the Spartans.
After the first period, they found themselves trailing to the Vikings 5-0. Once the period ended, fans and coaches alike noticed that rather than head to his dressing room, Vikings goaltender T.J. Sullivan skated down to the other end of the ice to chat with Cloney. Sullivan offered Cloney some moral support, as well as some pointers to try and help him out for the upcoming two periods.
The fans in attendance were clearly impressed by this act of sportsmanship from Sullivan, as they quickly gave him a standing ovation. Even more impressed was Spartans head coach Don MacCallum.
“He made a choice to go down there and help our guy.” McCallum stated. “He's clearly a kind soul.”
Even after the first intermission pointers, Sullivan continued to support Cloney throughout the entire game. Every time Cloney made a save, Sullivan was at the other end banging his stick against the ice in support. The Vikings would go on to win the game by a final score of 11-0, but that won't be what is remembered from this game. What will be remembered is leadership of Cloney for toughing one out for his team, as well as the sportsmanship from Sullivan.
This heartwarming story reminds us all that despite many of the negative stories we have been hearing lately, hockey truly is a fantastic sport with many great people involved.
Source: CBC News
