After winning the zone championship earlier in the month, the Bertram Drilling/Sports Room Midget Raptors were aiming to add another title to their stellar season, that of provincial champions.
The Raptors travelled to Manning this past weekend and fought hard against some of the best division C teams in the province, but fell short of their goal.
“They definitely tried, but things didn’t fall in our favour,” said head coach Darren Toffan. “The boys were down. It was a lot of hockey and the ref wasn’t the greatest.”
The weekend opened with the Raptors facing off against the Kitscoty Pitbulls in round robin play. The Raptors got off to a huge five goal lead early on, but in the third period the Pitbulls fought back and scored four goals. The Raptors won 8-7, but it was too close for comfort.
The next morning the Raptors were up against the Rimbey Renegades and were defeated in a heated match.
The Raptors then faced the host team, the Manning Comets. With the home team crowd prevalent in the arena, the pressure was high for the Raptors, but they came through with a win over the Comets.
After round robin play was over, the Raptors finished first in their pool and headed to the semifinals, their opponent being the Viking Gas Kings.
After the first period, the Raptors held on to a narrow 2-1 lead. Unfortunately, it didn’t last as the Gas Kings went on the warpath and defeated the Raptors.
In the end, the Renegades won the provincial championship.
Despite losing in the semifinals, the weekend had benefits.
“It was a good experience for the boys. It was their first time at provincials and they got to see what other teams are like,” said Toffan.
The season isn’t over for the Raptors. This weekend, the Raptors will be battling the Oyen Bees for the title of league champions.
The first game is in Oyen on Friday at 8 p.m. Game two will be in the Drumheller Memorial Arena on Saturday, at 8 p.m. A third game, if necessary, will be back in Oyen on Sunday, at 3 p.m.
“We’re evenly matched and, if the boys bring it together, we can definitely beat them,” said Toffan.
