The Innisfail Bantam A Fourlane Ford Flyers wrapped up a successful hockey season at the end of March on a heartbreaking note.
After making it to the league final in Game 3 of a best-of-three series against the Airdrie Lightning on March 20, the Flyers came out on the losing end, despite never giving up.
“It went down right to the wire,” said Aaron Kitzul, head coach. “The game was won 2-1 in triple overtime.”
Playing in the Central Alberta Hockey League (CAHL) in the tier two division, the final series against Airdrie was tied at one game apiece. Game 3 decided who took the championship title.
“We went down there (to Airdrie) on the Sunday (March 20). We actually had a 1-0 lead right through the whole game up until about six minutes left in the third period and Airdrie tied it up,” said Kitzul. “After the third overtime it would have gone to a shootout and we were 39 seconds from going to a shootout.”
It was a close game and a heartbreaking loss for his team, noted Kitzul, particularly since there was some controversy surrounding the final outcome.
“We actually scored with about two and a half minutes left (in the game) and they called the goal off because they said the net was off,” explained Kitzul. “We actually had a goal called back.”
That call was a tough pill to swallow.
“They made the call. Our coaching staff felt we got robbed on a bad call,” he said, pointing to factors that may have backed up that belief. “(Airdrie's team) parents were overheard in the lobby saying that that goal should definitely have counted.
“It should have been our championship,” Kitzul added. “You can't change the referee's mind, you just got to roll with what you're given.”
The Bantam A Flyers finished third out of nine teams in league standings after the regular season, behind Airdrie and Olds. They moved up to second place after the playoffs.
Despite the outcome, Kitzul said his team had a great season.
“(Coaching staff) were overly pleased with the way things went this year. We set some pretty lofty goals for them at the end of December after we returned from Christmas break,” he said. “One of them was to represent in the league final.
“To take it to Game 3 in triple overtime was something else,” said Kitzul. “The boys did an exceptional job and we felt bad for them. They deserved a championship.”
Aaron Kitzul, head coach
"To take it to Game 3 in triple overtime was something else. The boys did an exceptional job and we felt bad for them. They deserved a championship."
