They entered the playoffs as the final seed in their conference, and left the postseason one win away from being named provincial champions. The U18 AA West Central Wheat Kings have nothing to hang their heads over, even though they weren't able to win the last game of the season.

Head Coach Pat Sperle said it's always a teams goal to play in the last game of the season, even though losing in it presents a tough consolation.

"There are 25 teams who started the season all hoping to play in the game we played in last night. We were lucky to be one of the two who got to play till the very end," he said, "It was a great run, a great season. I think the kids all had fun, and we enjoyed ourselves and that's the main thing."

When it comes to the game and series Sperle gave a ton of credit to the opposition, but does feel that if a few more bounces went their way the game could have ended in a different result. A 2-0 final always represents a hard fought game, and the Wheat Kings unfortunately couldn't use their electric home crowd as an extra spark to victory. The support seen all playoffs long was something else according to Sperle.

"It seems as hockey dies out in other communities in the area, the die hard hockey fans keep craving hockey, and were willing to drive from far away to get to the building and fill it up."

Hundreds of people watched online at times yesterday through a live stream of the jam-packed Unity Community Centre, as the ice is now finally ready to come out in the local facility. Sperle and team appreciate the fact they kept it in so long.

"It was very kind of the town to keep the ice in. I don't think it's been in this long since 1996."

All good things have to come to an end, and unfortunately the team was one win away from a much better result.

In another note from last night, a special round of applause was given for Unity's departing Recreation Director Nicole Headrick, who has played a huge part in the community through her short time in the role; and certainly played a big part in keeping the ice ready in Unity for the Wheat Kings amazing postseason run.