Innisfail native Andy Willigar blasted a shot below the crossbar in double overtime March 23 to lead the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Ooks to their first championship in 16 years, capping off a distinguished college hockey career.
"After the first overtime there was a lot of chances for both teams,” he said. “I had jumped into the rush and was left all alone in the slot.”
The defenceman fired the puck just over Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) Polytechnic Trojans goalie Mike Tadjdeh's blocker at 6:08 of the second period of extra time.
“It was the greatest feeling I've ever experienced,” said Willigar, who served as the team's captain. “The emotional roller-coaster from the game was over.”
The play was also the last moment of college hockey for Willigar, since he's already played five seasons in the Alberta Colleges Athletic Conference (ACAC). This made the victory particularly sweet, he said.
“It was a long season and it was well earned from everybody,” he said, noting the Ooks set the ACAC record for least goals against this year. “It's a full team achievement.”
This year's success wasn't an isolated event but rather a progression. Willigar says he feels fortunate to have been part of the team for three seasons.
“I think we were kind of building a winning culture at NAIT over the past few years,” he said. “It's been really nice getting a chance to play my hockey in Alberta.”
Before playing for the Ooks, Willigar spent two years with the Concordia Thunder, and is only the second ACAC defenceman in history to be honoured as a first team ACAC All Conference selection on three separate occasions.
Though his team may be a defensive powerhouse, Willigar has managed to win the title of ACAC defensive point leader for the past two seasons straight.
NAIT swept Willigar's old team from Concordia in three straight, which was a bittersweet experience, he says.
"I've got a lot of buddies that play for that team,” he said. “You always want to beat your friends you play against.”
Since SAIT beat the Augustana Vikings they headed to the finals against Willigar and the Ooks.
NAIT came out with a strong 3-1 win at home in the first matchup with the Trojans, before losing 4-3 away in Calgary.
“Anybody could have walked away with it every night,” he said. “It was physical and it was intense.”
A 7-2 win for the Ooks back at home in Edmonton set the stage for the fourth and final game.
“We played a lot of hockey,” he said of that memorable fourth game. “We played four periods.”
Before playing college hockey, Willigar played a season with the Three Hills Thrashers of the Heritage Junior B league and three seasons with the Lloydminster Bobcats of the Alberta Junior Hockey League.
He hopes the championship win will help him ink a deal to play pro hockey in Europe next year.
“It looks pretty good on the resume,” he said. “It's not an easy thing to do.”
