Dear Editor: I would like to clarify an inaccurate statement that was made in this week’ s Lac La Biche Post about the Voyageur's ACAC playoff record.
Dear Editor:
I would like to clarify an inaccurate statement that was made in this week’ s Lac La Biche Post about the Voyageur's ACAC playoff record. Actually, over the years, this will be the second time that I have read that the Voyageurs had only made the playoffs once.
In the Voyageur's first five seasons, dating from 2008/09 to 2012/13, the Voyageurs made the playoffs four out of their first five seasons. In their first year of existence, the 2008/09 season, they not only made the playoffs, but won their first playoff game at home against the Concordia Thunder. I was told, at the time that never in the history of ACAC Men's Hockey had a first year team ever made the playoffs, in their first season. That was something the players, the college and the community could be proud of. But, it wasn't enough as the Voyageurs lost the best of three series.
The Voyageurs would make the playoffs again the next two years as well.
In 2009/10, they ended up in 6th place and played the Concordia Thunder again in a best of three series but lost in two games straight.
Their third year in the league, the 2010/11 season, had the Voyageurs finishing in 6th place again. This time they would meet the high powered Augustana Vikings. Some ACAC officials, actually felt that the Voyageurs were the odds-on favorites to win this best of three series. However, it never happened as the well-coached Vikings beat the Voyageurs in two straight games.
The next season, the 2011/12 season, was the first time ever that the Voyageurs experienced missing post season play in the ACAC playoffs. That being said, the Voyageurs would bounce back with a strong 2012/13 season, finishing in fifth place with 23 points. Their best finish ever, at the time. But still the Voyageurs fell in the best of three series losing both games to the Concordia Thunder.
There you have it. The Voyageurs as at the end of the 2012/13 season had played in nine playoff games. All the above information is accurate and can be verified in the ACAC Website's Archives. So as you and all your readers can see, the past Voyageurs did enjoy some playoff success between the 2008/09 and 2012/13 seasons.
Terry Ewasiuk
