It stings and it will for awhile for the Penticton Vees.
After an amazing run in the regular season, losing in round two of the BCHL playoffs to the West Kelowna Warriors will leave a void.
“I have an empty feeling in my stomach right now and probably will for a long time,” said Vees captain Tyson Jost, who is graduating from the program. “I came back to win a national championship and to not have that is hard.”
Jost was part of a core group of five players who experienced heartbreak at the national tournament last year in the semifinals. He, along with Dante Fabbro, Gabe Bast and Demico Hannoun expected to be fighting again for the RBC Cup this year. Until the West Kelowna Warriors got in the way, clinching the series and Interior Division title in Game 6.
“It is hard looking back on how close we came last year and this year I thought would be the year. We fell short and the Warriors played good. We went out swinging in a tough series,” said Jost.
While none of those core players would accept injuries as an excuse they were dealing with some. Hannoun suffered his second broken wrist of the season right before playoffs, Poolman returned in the second round nursing a separated shoulder, Bast missed almost the whole year with injury. Then there was Jost, the BCHL’s third highest scorer in the regular season received a slash in the series against Vernon.
“I fractured my finger,” he said, adding it was not something he wanted to dwell on or blame for his play.
“It was really swollen, but I didn’t think it was broken. I played the next game and after went to the hospital for X-rays. It was tough to grip the stick but I don’t want to make excuses, you do what you have to do in playoffs.”
The Vees were also without part of their goalie tandem when Anthony Brodeur was put on the injury list with a knee issue. Combine that with coming up against a hot Warriors goaltender, 14 pucks rung off the post and a whole lot of shots blocked by the Warriors defencemen, the Vees stumbled.
“We never want to make excuses but you need health and luck in the playoffs and we didn’t get much of either,” said Vees coach Fred Harbinson.
After 97 playoff games won, three Fred Page Cup titles and an RBC Cup — Harbinson said those accomplishments don’t make this second round loss any easier.
“Do we want to win every year? Absolutely. Does it feel like it is a missed opportunity this year? Absolutely,” said Harbinson. “This hurts. It hurts a lot for our players, our staff, our fans, everybody. But, there are a lot of things in life that don’t go exactly to plan and this is one of them.”
However, he added, there is a lot to be proud of. The team went on a 23 win streak and individually players grew both on and off the ice. Still there is that sting.
“This will burn for a long time, something that will burn with me forever, but that is also part of learning,” said Harbinson.
Losing with such high hopes is the only way to go, said Harbinson. A team can’t be successful without believing they will go further and push harder than they really can. While on the days after losing a second round series, a day like this past Monday, seeing the void still in the players stomachs written all over their faces, Harbinson admits it can be tough wondering how much longer he will be around. But there is also that look on the faces of the players who will be back next season, the staff and the fans. The look of hunger.
“I will be here next year,” said Harbinson.
Jost and Fabbro get ready for NHL draft
Teammates, roommates and soon to be NHL-draft mates, the Vees Tyson Jost and Dante Fabbro have developed into best of friends during their two years with the club.
Potentially the pair could also be suiting up for Team Canada at the Under-18 world championship in North Dakota in April.
“Right now I’m just figuring out if my finger will heal before that,” said Jost, who will play at the University of North Dakota next season.
Praising the Vees organization for the lessons he has learned on and off the ice, Jost said his two years have been very beneficial for his growth.
“I could have went to Everett (WHL) and nothing against them but this is such a prestigious program,” said Jost. “Anyone who is able to throw on that Vees jersey is part of something very special and they should cherish that for the rest of their lives.”
Jost said he leaves the program without winning the national championship but looks forward to a busy summer, that includes the NHL combine with Fabbro.
“It is really cool to get to share that experience with him. It is something we worked really hard for. (Fabbro) is my brother from another mother you could say,” Jost said of their tight-knit friendship. “I think all four of the guys who returned created a special bond. These are my brothers.”
Fabbro, who will play at Boston University next season, echoed those statements.
“Not everyone gets to go through this process with somebody right along your side going through the same thing. It is a good bond that we have had and we are headed separate ways but I have no doubt in my mind we will keep in touch.”
Vees name 2016-17 captain
The Penticton Vees have announced Nicholas Jones as the team’s Captain for the 2016-17 season.
“It was an easy choice,” said coach Harbinson. “He was a great player for us all season and a quality veteran leader. We’re confident he’ll be an excellent Captain.”
Jones had nine goals and 16 points in 11 playoff games, tying for the team scoring lead with Scott Conway. He had 63 points in 42 regular season games, when he joined the team in late October.
