By: Ellie Hazelwood
The Ottawa West Golden Knights played a great last game, despite the final score. Sometimes in hockey, especially in the playoffs, one chance, one bounce, one moment can change everything, and it’s nobody’s fault. It just happens.
Game seven was a battle, but the Golden Knights fought hard in every game they played throughout the season, and the playoffs.
It was 1-0 for the Ottawa Jr Canadians heading into the third, but Justin Murdoch nailed the tying goal, and then Connor Weido scored to put the boys up 2-1 with five minutes left.
However, this was one of those games where luck just wasn’t on the Knights’ side, and one unlucky bounce later, the Jr Canadians had it tied. Then another, and the Golden Knights were behind.
Still, it was a great game. The boys worked hard the whole game, and had 44 shots. Dustin Riff stood on his head in net, to help the team to stay in it, and the defensemen assisted him in that, by blocking shots.
“The boys were great tonight, they knew it was a very important game, and they put a lot out there,” Riff said. “I think we had about 10 or 15 blocked shots, so when it came to seeing pucks, they were really great at clearing traffic in front of the net.”
Every single one of the Golden Knights should be proud of themselves. They were down 2-0 and 3-1 in the series, but they came back, and pushed game seven. That’s something not very many teams can do, and the Knights did it.
They had a great season, and were all shining stars, even when luck wasn’t on their side.
“I’m really proud of my team. They played their hearts out. We never gave up, and it was heartbreaking to lose,” head coach and general manager, Steve Sundin said. “We did our best to give them the best game plan, and I thought that they executed it really well. It was a great season. I can’t say enough about the team, and our goaltending was the best in the league. Our defensive core was equally as good as anybody else’s, too. It was a great year. I won’t look at it as anything different than that.”
It truly was. The Golden Knights gave all they could every game, and that’s all anyone could ask of them. It’s special to see a team that never gives up, no matter what.
A special thanks to all of the graduating Knights who were skilled players, and kind people on and off the ice: Justin Murdoch, Seamus Lockhart, Joel Mullen, Carter Pilon, Jonathan Curti, Noah Jones, and Dustin Riff. The Golden Knights will miss you all, but best of luck for the future.
Here’s to an amazing season, and many more to come.
