The midget rep Blues playoff run came to an end last weekend.
The Blues faced a tough schedule with three games in 24 hours, and a flu bug that was racing through the team didn't help matters.
The Blues faced the Vancouver Spirit on March 2 and got off to a great start going up 1-0 on a goal from Kyle Bergh. The game was a fast-paced affair with the Spirit scoring the equalizer mid-way through the second.
But the pace of the game took its toll on the sicker members of the Blues, and the Spirit took over in the third, scoring four goals to win 5-1.
Sunday morning saw the Blues face a big physical team from Langley. The home side got off to a poor start, falling behind 3-1 in the first.
The Blues then found their legs and scored four straight goals to take a 4-3 lead into the third period. The two teams exchanged goals as the period wound down and the Blues found themselves clinging to a 6-5 lead with less than seven minutes remaining. An unlucky bounce gave Langley a break, which they capitalized on to tie the game at 6-6.
The Blues poured it on in the final five minutes and were unfortunate not to reclaim the lead after hitting the post twice. Despite the flurry, the game ended in a tie.
Kyle led the way with a hat trick with singles from Gavin Strom, Therin Hem-stalk and Nolan Caldwell.
The Blues were back on the ice again Sunday night facing a must-win against the top seeded team from Whistler.
The Blues once again got off to a fast start scoring in the first five minutes.
Despite being out-played, Whistler tied the score and then took the lead on a late power play goal.
The Blues came out flying in the second, carrying the play, and appeared to tie the score, only to have the goal disallowed when the ref lost sight of the puck and blew the play dead. The refs then compounded their error by giving Whistler a power play on a terrible call on the ensuing face-off. As so often happens, Whistler scored on the man advantage, and that goal seemed to deflate the Blues.
Whistler added another goal on a penalty shot and the Blues just weren't able to muster enough offence in the third period to climb all the way back.
"Despite the disappointing finish, this year was a tremendous success," said head coach Ray Graham.
"After starting the year by placing second in their season opening tournament, the boys played tough, skilled hockey all year and ended the season in the top four in all of the Lower Mainland. This includes competing against associations who have very large memberships. Our boys proved that a small community like ours can produce a fine team despite our small numbers and brutal travel schedule. The team would like to thank everyone who supported us all year and say just wait till next year!"
- Submitted
