When the Lockerby Vikings and St. Charles College Cardinals last met in high school boys hockey post-season play, the matchup was viewed as almost dead even.
In that sense, an outcome that would see the Cardinals claim the 2015-16 SDSSAA crown in a five-game final, only to have the Vikes turn the tables by grabbing the NOSSA banner less than a week later seemed only fitting.
Heading into their fourth place (Lockerby) vs first place (St. Charles) first round series earlier this week, however, the 12-1 Cardinals had deservingly earned the title of favourites, besting the Vikings by scores of 3-1 and 9-4 over the course of the past few months.
The playoffs, however, are another story altogether, as has often been said.
The Cardinals needed a breakaway goal in the opening minute of overtime to eventually beat the Vikes, carving out a tight 6-5 win. Veteran Tyer Michaud exited directly from the penalty box, taking a chip pass from Bryceton Lalonde, and making no mistake in netting his second goal of the game, giving St. Charles a 1-0 series lead.
Callum Roque matched Michaud with a two-goal effort of his own, with Nick Chokan and Tanner Webkamigad potting singletons, while Jared Loyer (2), Jack Wisniewski, Jason Gough and Korbin Cecchini-McAuley countered for Lockerby.
Though the Vikings went punch for punch with the Cards offensively, penalty troubles proved problematic, as St. Charles buried five of their six goals with the man advantage, including the game-winning tally.
The Collège Notre-Dame Alouettes looked far more dominant in the remaining Division "A" semi-final, outscoring the Confederation Chargers 7-2. Justin Karcz, Julien Tubin and Cameron Mostoway all scored two goals each for CND, with Mathieu Désormeaux capping things off.
In Division "B" play, the St. Benedict Bears drew first blood against the Lively Hawks, doubling their Walden opponent 4-2 as Erik Roussel scored twice for the winners.
Alex Yeomans and Filippo Mazza, with an empty-net marker, completed the scoring, with Brendon Ranney handling all of the offence for the Hawks.
