In front of a packed home town crowd, the Mallaig Monarchs season goal was achieved at 8:44 in the first overtime period when Dana White managed to get the game winner past the incredible LaCrete net minder Bud Dyck.
The game was intense, the fans were incredible, you could not have asked for a better gold medal game. The Monarchs opened up the scoring at 9: 25 in the first period sending the crown to its feet with a deafening sound that was music to the Monarchs ears. They then scored a second goal leaving them with a 2-0 lead after the first period.
In the second period, with over half of the period gone, LaCrete responded with their first goal. Mallaig then turned up the heat and scored two more within two and a half minutes of each other putting them in the lead after two with a score of 4-1.
The third period is when the intensity really started to build. The LaCrete lumberjacks, as they had done in many games throughout the weekend, went on quick scoring spree. They scored two goals within seconds of each other at the fourteen minute mark, making the score 4-3. Mallaig was unable to hold on to the lead as LaCrete scored a rocket from just inside the blue line to tie the game with three minutes remaining. Within a minute of tying the game, LaCrete received a major penalty leaving Mallaig with a power play. Neither team scored so after a two minute rest, the first overtime period began.
Within the first 20 seconds of the overtime period, LaCrete received a two minute penalty now leaving the Mallaig Monarchs in a 5 on 3 situation. Mallaig fought hard in the LaCrete zone for over a minute before the game winner was scored. The roar of the crowd was louder than human ears should endure. As cheers, tears and horns blew, the players on both sides rushed to their goalies for the final time this season.
It was a perfect ending for the home town team. All the hard work throughout the season and the hours spent by all the volunteers hosting the Investors Group Hockey Alberta Championship Tournament was rewarded in a way that was so sweet.
