We went into the playoffs in a good position as the #3 seed and having been playing good hockey.  The boys came out firing in the first game of the playoffs beating Meramec in a 4-0 shutout. 

However, game 2 against Chesterfield was a different story.  After 16 seconds into the game, we were trailing.  By early in second period we had fallen to a 4-0 deficit. The boys did not quit though and battled back.  With seven minutes remaining in the third period we were within one goal.  Unfortunately, we could never get the fourth goal to tie the game, even with our goalie pulled for two minutes. We outplayed our opponent and outshot them 30-20.

Coach Flaro summed it up well in an e-mail to his Bantam team who suffered a similar fate on Sunday as wel.  Here is an excerptl:

"Losing is never fun, but it is the final life lesson in an otherwise great season.  We could have won that game.  We should have won that game.  It’s not fair.  Well boys, life is sometimes not fair.  The best team doesn’t always win, especially in a 1 and done playoff format.  You won’t always get to play on the team you want.  You won’t always get to play the position you want.  You won’t always get into the school you want, or get the class schedule you want.  You won’t always get the perfect job you want.  And you likely won’t make the money you think you deserve.  True champions do not let a loss get in the way of their quest to be the best.  True champions rise above defeat, dust themselves off, and move on.  Everything in life happens for a reason.  We can dwell on the past, or we can focus on the future."

Time to get ready for next season.......

See you at the rink,

Coach Dannegger