Bantam Chinooks edged out of playoffs in triple overtime barnburner against Coaldale

Bantam Chinooks vs Coaldale
C. Davis photos and video

Chris Davis, Pincher Creek Voice

Coaldale's Cobras hosted Pincher Creek's Bantam Chinooks on Saturday afternoon March 2 for the first of a best-of-three Spud League hockey playoff series.  The Cobras won that game 8-4.  Game two was played last weekend, Saturday evening March 9 at Pincher Creek's Memorial Community Centre Arena.

Hockey fans were treated to one heck of a game.  The Cobras had a very strong first period, scoring two unanswered goals.  Lots of solid back and forth hockey, both teams putting in a big effort.  The Cobras scored another unanswered goal in the second period, putting them ahead 3-0.

The third period belonged to the Chinooks.  Against the odds, they rallied to tie it up 3-3, with goals coming from Jessen Luco, Captain Sam Gerrand, and Ethan Richards.  Richards also got two assists in the period.  Also picking up assists were Luco, Nic Jordan, and Tyson Goodreau.  At the buzzer ending the third period it was still tied 3-3.

There's no ties in playoffs, so 10 minutes of sudden-death overtime was played, both teams still battling hard, to no avail.  Then a break.  Then a full 20 minute period was played, the puck travelling back and forth at a rapid rate, both goalies working hard, and still no deciding goal.

Let's talk goalies here for a second.  Matthew Duncan for the Chinooks and Coaldale's Scott Tersteeg were stellar, each putting in the overtime wholeheartedly despite what must have been exhausting circumstances. Neither got much rest between saves.

The 6th period went much like the previous 5, until the 2:31 mark when Coaldale's Nolan Shipton managed to get one past Duncan, assisted by Ty Hilgersom, to win the game 4-3 and the series in two.  Coaldale moves up in the playoffs.  For the Chinooks, the season ended in a spectacular fashion.  One of THE great games of the season.

Both teams played great hockey out there.  Lots of game between whistles, and lots of hard hitting clean technique/skills-based hockey.

Thanks for a great season, Bantam Chinooks.