PREECEVILLE-The Preeceville Pats had an outstanding season, finishing in second place in the Major Hockey League and kept the train moving on through playoffs and their province run.
During the regular season, Preeceville played 40 games with a record of 35 wins and only five losses. In the final push for the A-banner, Preeceville played the top-ranked team from Indian Head but stopped them in their skates when they toppled them in two games straight to win the banner in front of a hometown crowd on March 27.
With the provincial title on the line, Preeceville took on Eston, starting March 23 with the first match-up in Eston. Preeceville came out determined and ready to play and kept up with Easton until the end, where Eston edged them out with a 6-4 win.
The return battle and last game of the season was held back in Preeceville in front of a packed hometown crowd on March 31. The energy and excitement of the building was loud and the Preeceville team members played their heart out, leaving it all on the ice.
It was a close match with Eston leading at the end of the first period but the second period was very different. Preeceville came out on the ice with a renewed sense of energy. They took over the scoring; putting four goals between the posts and Eston returned with one for a Preeceville 4-2 lead after 40 minutes.
The third period was the deciding factor with Preeceville managing one more goal but Eston came back with three quick goals to tie the game. Preeceville had to win the game in order to move on to a 10-minute game to decide who would be the provincial winner but fell just short, with the provincial championship going to Eston.
