Aces fold in provincial final

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This article was published 28/04/2023 (814 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Ste Anne Aces couldn’t overcome a disastrous start in game three of their provincial senior final, dropping the game 7-3 and the series 2-1 to the Miniota/Elkhorn C-Hawks April 22.

The C-Hawks jumped out to a 5-0 lead, powered by a four-goal first period, leaving the hosts stunned. The Aces got off to a terrible start, as goaltender Guy St Vincent was caught well out of his own net while trying to play a puck on the penalty kill. The goalie lost out on the race to the puck, giving up the opening goal of the game.

Things only went downhill for Ste Anne from there, with two more goals in quick succession forcing a time-out from the coaching staff.

While the Aces responded, pushing for a goal of their own to stem the tide, they couldn’t find the back of the net, as the C-Hawks took control, scoring twice more in the final moments of the first period to appear to put the game out of reach.

An Aces comeback attempt, sparked by an extended five-on-three penalty kill, fell short. Ste Anne managed to pull the game to within two goals in the second period, and even had a powerplay to begin the third period, but couldn’t bury their chances, eventually giving up two more goals in the losing effort.

Even with the provincial loss, it has been a memorable season for the Aces. Ste Anne joined the South East Manitoba Hockey League, one of only two remaining senior leagues in Manitoba, and took full advantage, winning a league championship after falling behind 3-0 in the SEMHL finals to Morden.

Roughly 300 people were packed into the East End Community Centre in Winnipeg to watch the third and decisive game for the final, as both home rinks were without ice this late into the season.