VIKINGS CONQUER VOYAGEURS TO COMPLETE WEEKEND SWEEP

LAC LA BICHE – There were no stogies at the Bold Center Saturday night – and not only because smoking is not allowed inside the building. It was because the hockey game between the Augustana Vikings and the hometown Portage College Voyageurs perfectly encapsulated the hosts' 23-24 ACAC season: close but no cigar.

Leading 2-1 heading into the final minute of the second, the Voyageurs gave up a late marker to the Vikings and eventually lost 5-2 in the final game of their season. Brayden Koch, Owen Lamb, Jaxon Georget, Leighton Smith and Conrad Philips into an empty net helped the Vikings defeat the Voyageurs 5-2 in an entertaining game. Xavier Halterman and Joshua Crooks replied for Portage.

While each team scored a powerplay goal, Augustana had four more opportunities on the man advantage than the Voyageurs, which head coach Kevin McClelland noted took away some of the momentum from the home side.   

"The powerplay differential was a factor but again, it's the same thing that cost us all year, indiscipline at the wrong times…I know the frustration's there but you've got to control yourself," he said. "It's gotta be addressed in the off-season."

Despite missing the playoffs, the Voyageurs were in most hockey games this year right up until the final whistle and managed to keep things interesting down the stretch by winning at least a game each of the previous three weekends heading into their final two matches against Augustana. And while a 7-1 loss in Camrose on Friday night was a disappointment, McClelland was pleased to see his players bounce back with a much better performance in front of their home crowd 24 hours later.

"We were in a playoff race right up until last weekend," he said. "We got knocked out last Saturday but you know, the guys put together some good wins there to keep it alive. It would've been nice if we'd gotten to this weekend and it was still that scenario but we didn't. Last night we didn't have a real good effort but tonight I thought we had a good effort."

Before the game, four graduating players were honoured for their stellar contributions on and off the ice. Goalie Alex Brousseau, centre Shaye Sommerfeld, and defensemen Thomas Colter and Nick Gidney each received a framed picture of themselves in action and hearty applause from a grateful community.