After the brilliant season they had, I kind of think the Thunder Bay Chill deserved a better fate.
They won their semi-final game against Victoria, but ended up on the short side of a 3-1 score to Austin Texas in the Premier Development League final.
But the fact the club lost isn’t the story, it’s how they lost. In the fourth minute, goalkeeper Stephen Paterson was given a red card for a tripping infraction. It earned the Thunder Bay veteran an early shower in what he had previously said would be his final game with the team.
That meant the Chill had to play the rest of the match short-handed, and in the end were just unable to muster enough to knock off a very tough team.
The weekend also saw Tony Colistro come up short in the coach of the year award, even though he led his team to the regular season league title, and along the way an impressive 11-game winning streak.
Being given the overall coaching honour would have been fitting for a person who has put his heart and soul into this team from Day 1.
He endured the early losing seasons, but his ability to locate and recruit top players to come here has allowed him to benefit the last few seasons.
It may sting not to win it all, but No. 2 in this North American League isn't too shabby either.
