Players from the Vancouver Northeast Chiefs may have lost in the quarterfinals, but the club will chalk up much success as it sends more players up to higher levels.
Photograph by: NOW , file photo
An overtime goal off a scramble popped the balloon for the Vancouver Northeast Chiefs on Sunday.
The B.C. Major Midget Hockey League squad's season came to an end in a 5-4 loss to the Greater Vancouver Canadians in Game 3 of their best-of three quarterfinal series at Coquitlam's Planet Ice.
While the Canadians' Alex Whithwham deposited the winner behind the goalie Nick McBride to end the club's season in the first playoff round, Chiefs coach Doneau Menard said the disappointment he shares with the players won't erase the many successes they achieved over the past seven months.
"It was one of those goals that usually win it in overtime, nothing pretty but it just ended up in our net," said Menard. "We played really well and had a couple of good scoring chances in overtime and both goalies played well."
Up 3-1 early in the second, the home squad suddenly was stripped of the lead when the Canadians cashed in three straight goals in a span of 5: 22 to go ahead 4-3. A tally by Connor Burk early in the third forced extra time.
Also scoring for the Coquitlam-based crew were Mathew Barzal, Jordan Henderson and Kurt Sonne.
The ending squelched what had been in impressive year for the Chiefs, a season that saw them finish fourth overall at 23-13-4.
After falling 5-2 to Greater Vancouver in Game 1, the Chiefs evened the series with a 4-1 decision on Saturday. While the Canadians scored first, Northeast got two goals from Barzal and singles by Nicholas Rasovic and Burk, while Tim Chow and Henderson recorded two assists each.
"We came out and put them on their heels," said Menard. "We forced them into more penalties than they usually got but they did an effective job killing them. Our penalty killing was strong, too."
The coach anticipates a lot of changes for next year, due to seven players graduating and another handful or more heading up to the higher levels.
"When we evaluate the success of this season it is factored by where these kids are playing in the next few years," the long-time bench boss said. "I think we're going to lose a lot of guys."
Leading the list of those ready for the next level is Barzal, the league's scoring leader who is also considered one of the top 15-year-olds in North America.
Drafted first overall a year ago by the Western Hockey League's Seattle Thunderbirds last year, the Dr. Charles Best student hasn't tipped his hat as to which route he is leaning towards - with both major junior and junior A clubs calling - although Menard said he sees Barzal continuing to succeed no matter which way he goes.
"I think he's going to be a good pro some day soon," noted Menard of the centre who posted 29 goals and a league record 74 assists over 34 games. "I don't know if either [route] is a wrong decision, but I know he's got a good head on his shoulders and he's got some bright people giving him advice."
Another player who opened many eyes during the major midget season was winger Colton Kehler, who established a new goal record with 41 in 40 games. The 15-year-old PoCo native opened a number of doors with his performance, said Menard.
Those graduating due to age are forwards Boston Colley, Mathew Michie, Chow and Sonne, and defenceman Michael Willms and goalie Jeff Smith.
