It was a heartbreaking end to the season for the Langley Eagles midget A1 squad.
Playing in the provincial championship final last week in Abbotsford, the Eagles were grounded 2-1 in overtime to Kelowna.
The tournament ran March 17 to 20.
“It was one bleep of a game,” said Langley coach Ron Leroux.
“The other coach complimented us quite a bit; he said that was the best minor hockey game he had ever been involved with.”
Langley led 1-0 into the third period, but with about 10 minutes remaining, Kelowna struck for the equalizer on the power play.
Kelowna then dashed the Eagles’ golden dreams with the overtime winner.
“It was two pretty evenly matched teams,” Leroux said. “About as even as you can get.”
This was the second straight year that Leroux has seen his team fall in overtime in the provincial final, as the same thing happened with a midget A2 team — with seven of the same players — last March.
But just the fact they made it this far is a remarkable feat, in the coach’s eyes.
“I didn’t honestly think we would make it this far when I put the team together,” he admitted.
“But the players decided themselves that was the goal they set (and) I did everything I could to push them.
“It was a great year, a fantastic year.”
At provincials, Langley won their first three games: 4-0 over Abbotsford, 4-3 against Comox Valley and 4-2 against Cloverdale. But they suffered their first bump in game four, a 2-2 tie versus Prince George. And after Prince George won their final round-robin game, it meant the Eagles had to win or tie their final game against Kelowna to earn a spot in the finals. Kelowna was already assured to be playing in the gold medal game.
“Just getting to the finals was a monumental accomplishment,” Leroux said.
The Eagles were down 3-1 with less than four minutes remaining. But Langley scored three times in 90 seconds for the stunning 4-3 victory.
Regardless of the silver medal finish, Leroux was impressed by the team’s performance, both at provincials, and on the season.
“We elevated our play, game by game by game, which is obviously what you want,” he said.
“All season long, we haven’t been a blowout kind of team; we have played a strong defensive game and for the most part, worn teams down with our speed.”
Langley finished the season on an impressive tear, winning 18 of their past 21 games (18-2-1).