The Cold Lake Jr. B Ice clinched its third consecutive North Eastern Alberta Junior B Hockey League championship in front of a record attendance at the Cold Lake Energy Centre last Friday, after defeating the Wainwright Bisons 5-4 in a dramatic double-overtime victory.
It was a night that players, coaches and fans alike would not forget in a hurry. A hat-trick from Cold Lake's star forward Dallas Ansell, including the eventual game-winner, undoubtedly helped the Ice to victory, but they had captain Niko Bourget of Bonnyville to thank as his goal with 35 seconds left tied the game up, giving the Ice the chance to reclaim its title in front of the hometown crowd.
With the 4-1 series win, Cold Lake became only the second team in 21 years to win three consecutive championships and head coach Neil Langridge said it's a fantastic achievement both for the team, and its players.
“To win the championship three times in a row is incredible,” Langridge said. “The boys have worked so hard this year, so it's well deserved. It's nights like tonight that make you realize why we put ourselves through this six or seven months a year, it's an incredible feeling.”
But it almost didn't happen the way the Ice envisioned. The game started scrappily, with both teams taking a number of penalties in the first two periods. With the Ice approaching the third period leading 3-2, spirits among the near-capacity crowd were at an all-time high. Fast-forward 15 minutes and two Bisons' goals later, and they were left on the edge of their seat, biting what was left of their fingernails.
To make matters worse, the Ice, needing a goal, saw Ansell go to the penalty box with three minutes left for a minor holding penalty. As time slowly ticked down, with eyes glancing towards the clock, the crowd roared as Bourget was sent clear on goal by the mercurial Ansell and he delivered the goods, firing the puck over Bisons goaltender Ronald Paulson's glove and into the net, sending the crowd at the Energy Centre crazy.
One could have been mistaken for thinking the excitement was finished there, but it wasn't. Right at the end of the shortened ten-minute first period of overtime, Bisons defenseman Steven White took a four-minute penalty after his high stick drew blood from the busy Ansell. The Ice didn't quite have time to take advantage before the conclusion of that period, but made the Bisons pay the ultimate price as Ansell ripped a shot from the point beyond the impressive Paulson with less than a minute gone in the second overtime period.
The celebrations that followed were unprecedented as the players threw off their helmets and gloves and partook in the ceremonial pile up at centre ice before captain Bourget calmed himself down enough to receive the Dick Holler Memorial Championship trophy.
Langridge said that the game itself was one of the most exciting he'd had the privilege to witness, and he was happy the team was able to pull off the victory for the “amazing crowd”.
“I think the game tonight got everyone's heart going, especially when we were down at the end of the third,” Langridge said. “But good teams always find a way to win, and I'm just happy we managed to come up with the goods tonight, especially for the crowd – the building was electric all night,”
The Ice had to make do without first-line forward Matt Laboucane, who was unable to dress due to personal reasons and Langridge said the entire team pulled together, determined to win for their absent teammate.
“Unfortunately, Matt couldn't be here tonight and when we were talking before the game, the boys said they wanted to win it for him tonight,” Langridge said. “The performance was incredible, especially Niko and Dally – they've been doing it all year long, so it was (really nice) for them to be able to (put up the points in the championship game).”
Speaking after the game, Ansell said it was an incredible feeling to record a hat-trick on such an important stage, and that, with so many eyes fixed upon him, he froze on the spot when that fifth, deciding goal flew into the back of the net.
“I honestly didn't know what to do after my third goal, my knees started to shake and I just saw Niko flying towards me, so we were the first to hug and celebrate,” Ansell said.
Bourget said it was a night he would never forget, and he was just happy the team managed to get the job done.
“When that goal went in, I just heard the crowd and it's probably one of the best feelings I've ever had,” Bourget said. “For us to come back and win in double overtime was something special.”
According to Ansell however, it was certainly something the Ice deserved after a year that saw them record only six losses between both their regular and post-season games.
“All of this tonight came about because of how hard we've worked, how much we've pushed ourselves over the course of the season,” he said. “So we're happy, we'll celebrate and then come back to work so we can prepare for provincials next weekend.”
With the team's victory, the Ice once again qualified for the Junior B provincials, which will be held in Wainwright, with games starting on Thursday and concluding on Sunday.
Langridge said the team would take a different approach this year, after being heavily backed as one of the favourites going into the last two tournaments, only to be eliminated in round robin play.
“We're going in as one of the underdogs this year,” Langridge said. “The provincial championships obviously has the best teams in Alberta participating, so the boys will come back after the weekend, work hard and we'll do our best to make some noise down in Wainwright next weekend.”
The 2013 Investors Group Alberta Jr. B Provincials will be held in Wainwright April 4 to 7. For more information visit www.hockeyalberta.ca
