Westlock’s Atom ‘A’ Warriors came up short in their pursuit of the league championship.
Up against Stony Plain for the 1660 League Tier 2A crown last week, the Warriors lost the best-of-three series in two games, ending their title quest.
The Warriors lost Game 1 4-3 at home on March 19. Game 2 ended in a 5-1 defeat in Stony Plain on March 20. Despite the loss, coach Tate McNelly said he was happy with how his team played.
“We probably played some of our best hockey in the final series,” he said. “In five of the six periods, I couldn’t ask for anything more from the kids.”
The 5-1 loss was a lot closer than the score indicated, McNelly said. The Warriors played a strong game and simply ran into a strong goalie.
It was the 4-3 loss that was the “heartbreaker” he said.
The Warriors never trailed in the game, taking leads of 1-0, 2-1 and 3-2 before watching their opponents tie the game late and win it with a goal at the last second.
Heading into the final series, McNelly said he knew the Warriors would be in tough. Stony Plain had completed the season undefeated, and had a very strong team.
The Warriors played “unbelievable” hockey in Game 1, which combined with the “spectacular hockey” they played in the last two periods of Game 2, warmed his coaching heart.
Combined with their semifinal loss at the provincial tournament, the Warriors ended the year in third at the provincial level and second at the league level — something they have “nothing to be ashamed of,” McNelly said.
For him, the effort his players give while on the ice is ultimately all he’s looking for.
“If you give me 110 per cent and we lose, I’ll be a happy, happy coach,” he said. “If you give me 50 per cent and we win, I won’t be happy.”
The games may be played to determine winners, but for McNelly, hockey is about more than the sport itself — it’s about learning lessons the players can use as they grow older and become more involved in the world.
He aims to teach life lessons – like goal setting, commitment and working hard to get results – even if the players don’t really realize what he’s doing.
“I’ve always preached that if you want it, you can go get it,” he said.
