Champions

Congratulations to the Picton Pirates—the players, coaches and organization. It was a remarkable season, capped by a remarkable final series. Now the Pirates are the All-Ontario Champions—for the first time in the team’s 24-year history.

It was a victory made sweeter by the sheer improbability of it all. It has been 20 years since a team from the Pirates’ league won the Schmalz Cup. Indeed Picton’s championship marks only the second time since 1938 that a team hailing from east of Cobourg has ever hoisted the cup. Essex, meanwhile, has won it six times over the last 38 years.

Even on the ice it seemed an improbable victory.

In a bizarre twist, the league ruled the teams would have to replay the third period of game one. On-ice officials in that first game had erred in not ejecting the Pirates’ Evan Greer after his third stick violation in that game. He would go on to score a goal and assist on another in the 4-1 win. But Essex appealed and the league decided it would wind back the clock to the point of Greer’s penalty. Before game five could be played last Wednesday night, the teams would first have to replay the final period of game one.

Thus set up an unusual night of hockey. One period to finish one game. Then game five—a potential series finale.

The Pirates went into the replay period with a 2-1 lead. But Essex was the better team. Tougher. Focused. Relentless. Soon Picton’s lead was gone. In overtime Picton was again outplayed. But netminder Andrew Pearson was solid. And Picton’s forwards scored on the very few opportunities they were given. It was a slim difference—but it was enough. The Pirates escaped the replayed period retaining the victory—just barely.

With the win and the momentum, Picton now had the chance to win the series in front of hometown fans. If the series went back to Essex the entire dynamic might have shifted in the 73s’ favour—the series was at real risk of slipping away.

Despite the stakes, Picton again struggled to manage the Essex onslaught. The 73s appeared bigger, stronger, more determined. The Pirates made their plight worse by coughing up the puck repeatedly to their opponents. It seemed Picton might hand the game—and perhaps the series— to the 73s. Essex took a 2-0 lead in the second period—converting bad Picton decisions into goals.

But the Pirates found ways to climb back into the game. A power play goal from captain Brandon Peever in the second period opened the door. Then, at last, a break. In the third period the 73s, who had been pushing so hard for so long, seemed to run out of gas. Suddenly the Pirates found some room to manoeuvre on the ice. Meanwhile their opponents became unhinged; subsequently four Essex skaters were ejected from the game.

Bang. Bang. Two third-period Picton goals. The Pirates had the lead for the first time in the game, with just over five minutes remaining in the game. They had hung on, and hung around long enough to stay in the game. When their opponent flagged they attacked.

With a minute left in the third period the Pirates still clung desperately to a one-goal lead. Suddenly the capacity crowd in the Picton rink was quiet. Holding their breath. They were bracing for the heartbreak of the tying goal. A goal that seemed inevitable now. Essex was pouring all they had left out onto the ice. The Pirates were frantic.

With five seconds remaining the Pirates at last cleared the puck, forcing the 73s to gather it from their own end as the last seconds ticked off the clock. At last the Picton crowd erupted—in cheers and celebration. They had done it. The Picton Pirates had won. They are the best Junior ‘C’ hockey club in Ontario.

They will be telling the story of the 2013 Picton Pirates for years to come.

rick@wellingtontimes.ca