There is no easy way to do this. This time last year, our team was parading around hoisting the cup in every class, street, restaurant, bar, and grocery store in the city. This season, we lost the final of the National Championships, a feeling that still leaves me numb and empty two days after.
When Jon approached me in regards to writing an article for the Goalie Magazine, I didn’t really know what to think. It was the day after our loss, I was eating lunch with my parents at Boston Pizza and the highlights of our game had just been shown on the big screen TV. The reason I decided to write this was that it is somewhat a form of closure on my two year career here at UNB. I would like to share the experience of winning a National Championship in one season and unfortunately loosing in the final game the next.
My first year, the 2006-2007 season, was filled with many ups and downs. Our team was doing well but the goaltending situation was back and forth. I knew coming in that there was a five year veteran returning who holds pretty much every record possible in UNB history. We split time all the way through Christmas and the better part of January. In late January, the coach started to play me back to back games and eventually through the rest of the season. Our team was fighting for first against a strong Moncton team. We finished second in standings, earning us a bye through the first round and setting us up against St. FX in the semi-final. What was notable about this semi-final was that Moncton was host to the Nationals and therefore two other teams from our conference advanced. We won the semis and earned our spot in the Championship. We played Moncton in the final but lost two straight. I remember clearly after the game guys were upset, but there was still that feeling that we were able to move on.
At Nationals we were ranked fifth seed out of six teams. Our draw was Saskatchewan and UQTR, both winners of the Canada West and Ontario conference, respectively. A quality about our team that was evident on a daily basis was the character in our room. We used being ranked low as a way to prepare and fight with “nothing to lose”. We started strong, beating Saskatchewan 2-1 and UQTR 7-0, setting up a final against our rivals Moncton, who had beat us 5-1 in the season series.
The final game was something I had never experienced before: A one-game championship final to be crowned the best team in the nation. Moncton scored three minutes into the game to go up 1-0. We tied it early in the first. At the middle of the second, I let in a goal-to this day-I would like to have back. We were down 2-1 going into the third and I knew the boys were disappointed in me for that. After that goal I took a second to myself as there was no way I could let any more goals in. Midway through the third I still thought this goal was going to haunt me for the rest of my life. The next play their player got a pass out from behind the net and I made a blocker save. Our team broke out and scored on almost the exact same play in the other end. The score was 2-2 going into overtime.
Two minutes into overtime on a 3 on 2 play they shot it from my right, the rebound went left, I dove, players dove, everything was chaotic but I made the save with my blocker. Later in the period, one of our top players was sent on a breakaway and was stopped. The very next play, another one of our players went in and scored at 1:11 left in the first overtime.
Time froze. I didn’t know what to do. We had just won the National Championship for Canadian University (CIS) hockey. I have never skated faster in my life. I threw my gloves, stick and helmet and met the whole team as we sprinted down the ice. It was crazy. We didn’t sleep for five days. We drove the zamboni around the campus with the cup. We went to class with the cup. We went out with the cup. Owners of bars and restaurants didn’t charge us anything as they filled the cup up with food and drinks for everyone. Teachers told us not to come to school all week. I even got out of a speeding ticket because the judge caught the game on TV. Needless to say, if there was ever a way that could make you absolutely invincible around the city, that cup was it. It was incredible. The best week of my life and I remember it like it was yesterday…Actually… it could have been yesterday.
This present season (2007-2008) at UNB marked the best ever by any team to play in the Atlantic Conference (AUS). In fact, the only team to my knowledge that had a better season in CIS history was Alberta a few years ago when they went undefeated throughout the regular season and playoffs, ironically to lose to UNB in the semi-finals at Nationals. We will get to that soon.
Preliminary top ten rankings were released for the 2007-2008 season and we were placed fourth by the media pool. Ahead of us was Laurier who we were about to face in exhibition. We had something to prove. We beat them 10-1. Our team was serious when we wanted to be the best. From day one we had a goal, and that was to be National Champions once again.
In a 28 game season, our team finished 26-1-1. In fact the only team to beat us in regulation and a shootout this season was Moncton. In exhibition, we beat NCAA teams like University of New Hampshire, the University of Maine, and Union College. We beat the New York Islanders rookie team. We ranked #1 by the media pool every single week. We went undefeated in the playoffs to capture the AUS championship. Our team was special. We were three wins away from the most memorable season ever in CIS history. We came close, but close never feels like it was enough.
The tournament was held in Moncton once again. Each conference had two teams for representation. We got in the front door this year, and were ranked first seed for the tournament. We played Brock in the opening game and won 6-1. The game was close for the first half as it was 0-0 mid way through the second. They got a breakaway and I made the save, the rebound sat far to my right so I dove head first and made the save with my blocker. Our team took the puck, went down and scored to get the ball rolling and we never looked back.
Game 2 was against the West finalist Saskatchewan. They were all over the media giving excuses on their loss against us last year. We had something to prove. Our team was exceptional all game. We were focussed and determined to earn our trip back to the final. We did so with a character 4-0 win. We went back to the hotel and waited to find out our opponent. Moncton beat the #2 Alberta in their first game, however Alberta beat Moncton 7-3. The weird set-up for this National Championship is that there are six teams. Essentially if you win your two round robin games you advance to the final, but if each team has a 1-1 record goal differential is the deciding factor. All Moncton needed was a win against McGill to advance, which would have made a rematch of last year. Moncton was upset 2-0, advancing Alberta to the final.
Alberta is always ranked one of the top teams in the CIS on a yearly basis. They were second to us in the rankings all year. This was to make for an exciting final: The two top ranked teams in the CIS battling for the title. My approach this year was a little different than last year. I had already been to the final and knew what to expect. Last year I remember not being able to sleep, my mind racing 100 miles a minute. This year I was relaxed, calm, knew what I had to do and was able to prepare much easier. There were no doubts or distractions. Our team was on a path and we knew where we wanted to go.
The game started at a good pace. Back and forth, we scored about 5 minutes in. Alberta tied it about 5 minutes later. The period finished tied 1-1. In the second, we scored about 30 seconds in to go up 2-1. A few minutes later, they replied to make it 2-2 on a pass out. Both teams had some chances as we went into the second intermission tied at two. In the third, we were buzzing. We had a good lead in shots as they didn’t register any until about five minutes in. It was necessary for me to remain focussed. We hit a post and the puck almost crossed the line before their goalie grabbed it. Saves were exchanged and we took a penalty with eight minutes left. They scored. We were down 3-2 with seven minutes left. A couple saves later, we went down and hit another post with two minutes left. The clock ticked down and Alberta won 3-2.
The team just sat there. No one moved. No one looked up. Not a word. We shook their hands and took our silver medals (I don’t even know where I put mine). After a loss like that there is nothing that can be said, and nothing that wants to be heard. No one got undressed. Tears were shed. Blank faces everywhere. I must have stared at the ground for 20 minutes replaying each goal over and over and over again. What could I have done differently? Why couldn’t that puck hit the post and go out instead of hitting the post and going in? If I made this save or that save would the outcome have been different? My body was numb. I couldn’t speak. After getting undressed I went on the bike and couldn’t peddle. I couldn’t speak to my parents. At that point in time our season felt like the biggest disappointment. It still does.
After the game we had a sort of reception for players and family at the hotel. The support from our fans was incredible. But the outcome of the game was still not easy to accept. All I could do was replay the same reception last year which was completely different. This season was successful on a personal level as I was fortunate to receive various awards, but I don’t care. The one and only award I wanted we were unable to attain. I would trade all of those awards back for the cup in a heartbeat.
Talking with the boys, we all agreed that we felt like we had more left in us. The questions and “what ifs” were ever-present. It sucked. The only place to find comfort in a time like that is with those that have battled with you the entire way, which is what we were forced to do. Nobody slept. The team was awake until the next morning waiting for the bus. There were no answers remaining. No more questions. Just blank emotions. We reminisced about the entire year, on and off the ice. It was amazing, but not as good as it could have been. Two days later I’m still looking for answers. Still wondering if I made an extra save what could have happened. I take pride in trying to make the key save at a key time for my team. I always think that one more may have done the trick.
One thing about winning is the bond with the team that’s never broken. When we went out last season with the cup every single player was there. Last night there was only seven of us. It just isn’t the same. When I think about this, every year there is a winner and a loser. The difference, honestly, is not even the slightest bit close. It’s night and day.
As I sit here, writing this, I feel like I am able to reflect and have some closure on my two successful seasons at UNB. Unfortunately the story didn’t end quite the way I would have liked. The most important thing to close with is the support that I have received when I won and when I lost. Those who are constantly there for me are those who have helped me in this time. It’s tough to forget about it completely, but it’s been a huge help. For my teammates, we competed and worked hard to play like champions. You know what, we did play like champions. Unfortunately, we weren’t awarded like one. It will be difficult to get over a loss like this to end what would have otherwise been considered the “perfect” season.
They say that you have to lose one to win one. Unfortunately when you win one first, you know what it’s like and it sucks to lose after. It is very important that I use this loss positively. It will take time but it is essential that I do not dwell on the “what ifs” and continue to work hard. This loss will never ever be forgotten, but I hope in one way or another it will help me grow as a player, and more importantly as a person
