BARRHEAD - It was the perfect way to end the night.
On Jan. 5, the Barrhead Steelers (U18) defeated the Drayton Valley Richochet Oil 4-0 in a Tier 2 North Eastern Alberta Hockey League regular season matchup in front of a crowd of between 200-300 at the Agrena on Steve Bala celebration night.
As part of a pregame ceremony, the franchise awarded Bala, who has served as the team's equipment manager for over 25 years, the Barrhead Minor Hockey Association (BMHA) awarded him its Long Term Service Award.
BMHA director Dan Wierenga noted that the association usually hands out the award in the spring. However, they felt that it would be more appropriate that he be given the award at a Steelers game in front of the team's fans, along with Steelers alum and Bala's friends and supporters, including several from the Blue Heron Support Services Association, which has played a significant role in his life.
In recognition of his service, Bala was also awarded a special Steelers jersey on permanent display in the Agrena's foyer.
"Over the years, Steve has helped the Steelers in any way he can. Whether that is getting the boys pumped up before a game, filling water bottles, helping clean up the dressing room after the game, the list goes on and on," Wierenga said.
He added that Bala's association with the Steelers began in 1998.
"To put that in perspective, when Steve started, the Steelers played out of the old Barrhead Arena. Truly, Madly Deeply by Savage Garden was Number 1 on the Billboard Charts, Jaromir Jagr led the NHL in scoring, and the current Steelers' head coach was 13 years old," Wierenga said.
He added that no one, including the players and staff, takes a Steelers' loss harder or celebrates a win more than Bala.
Wierenga said when they asked Bala what his favourite part of helping the Steelers has been, he "instantly answered 'Going on road trips with the team.'
As for Bala, after receiving all the accolades, they concluded by saying, "After all this, the Steelers have to win."
The win evens the Steelers' record at eight wins and eight losses. Scoring for the Steelers were Tanner Harrison (assisted by Carsen Anderson), Magnus Kaplan, Cash Gibert (assisted by Brock Beauliua and Kaplan), and Anderson (assisted by Ethan Mohler and Nathan Batty). William Bain stopped all 28 shots he faced to earn the win.
