It was a disappointing finish for the Terrace River Kings last night, who lost the 2016 Coy Cup final to the Fort St. John Flyers at the Terrace Sportsplex.
“They played really well. They put their hearts out there, just, the puck wouldn’t go in,” said coach Rob Findlay of the 3-2 result.
The Kings lost to the Fort St, John last year as well and this is the third year in a row they have finished second in the attempt at gaining the provincial senior men’s AA championship.
The Fort St. John Flyers won the 2016 Coy Cup with a 3-2 final.
The game started out slow, with both teams hanging back and no goals scored in the first period.
The River Kings got a four minute penalty at the very end of the first, and got a few good shots but could not score.
The second period was much the same, with teams playing a bit more offensively but without the offensive push that characterized prior games in tournament.
The Flyers scored a lucky goal halfway through the second period. River Kings goalie Jared Rathjen stopped a shot, but the puck then deflected off a skate and into the net.
Three minutes later Colten Braid got a break away, but Flyers goalie Troy Hunt managed a save.
But fans were on their feet again two minutes later, when Chapen Leblond scored off a rebound to tie up the game 1-1.
Only a minute later, Flyers’ Josh Bostock fired a shot into the net, putting the River Kings down 1-2.
Both teams came out strong in the third period, with some close chances either way.
Two minutes in, the Flyers got the puck in the River Kings end. Flyers’ Josh Massingham made a quick pass from behind the net to Rick Cleaver who chipped it in past Rathjen.
That made the score 3-1 for the Flyers, with 13 minutes left on the clock.
The River Kings did not give up the fight, and kept up the energy but could not seem to finish.
Finally, with a minute and a half left in the third, Jordan Peddle chipped the puck in over the goalie to put the score at 3-2 for Flyers.
River Kings fought hard for the last two minutes, seeking a final goal to tie thing up, but the Flyers held them off.
It was a disappointing 2-3 loss for the River Kings, and the Fort St. John Flyers took the cup.
Coach Rob Findlay said the River Kings struggled to get their shots off and simply could not score.
“The defensive play down there was tough and we just couldn’t penetrate through,” he said.
It was a tough loss, but the team played well, he added.
“Win or lose, it was a great game. But it still sucks.”
