A pivotal puck moment

Semi-final at the Mac’s AAA Midget Tournament: New York Jr. Islanders versus Regina Pat Canadians

The Mac’s AAA Midget championship is settled. The result is in the books. Regina Pat Canadians won the final of the Male Division. But looking back over the photographs I took during the semi-final game, it became clear how close New York Jr Islanders got to a berth in the final at the Scotiabank Saddledome on New Year’s Day.

The goal that never was

It was a play in the second period when the Jr. Islanders were 1-0 up. Chris Mott fired in a pass from behind the net towards Anthony Bernado who skated into the blue paint. The Regina Pats goalie, Jared Thompson was momentarily cast away out left of the goal crease, creating a big opening between the pipes. Bernado got his stick on the puck nestled between the legs of the Regina defender, Jack Glen. The puck moved onto the line, then Glen and his teammate, Sebastian Eger simultaneously crossed their sticks, collectively intercepting further progress of the puck into the net. Chris Mott moved his arms up to celebrate, then held his head in gloved hands in the realization that there was no goal.

A score at that moment would have put the Jr. Islanders into a commanding 2-0 lead. But the hockey gods took the play another way; a third-period equalizer by Regina; two bouts of overtime and a sudden death goal. It was the Regina Pat Canadians heading for their final, and ultimately the Mac’s Midget Trophy for 2017-18.

Photos from the Mac’s Midget hockey games

Please follow this link to J. Ashley Nixon Communications and go to HOCKEY for more photographs from this and other games in the Mac’s AAA Midget Hockey Tournament.

Film clip

Please visit my Vimeo site for bonus footage (photo montages) of the goal that never was.