Eagles bounced out in 5, season ends

Despite a holding a late third period lead in their elimination match against the powerful ROV, the Eagles let the game slip out of their hands and lost in OT.

Game five was a fitting end to the Eagles season--one that saw its share of ups and downs, but like the regular season, the theme was 'close, but not good enough'.

While I am not happy we lost to the ROV in five short games--I though we could take them to at least 6, overall the series was fairly evenly matched. That is, except for the two categories that mean the most--goals and wins. Losing the first two dug too deep of a hole, eventhough the squad played well the next three games.

In the end, I just didn't get the series I needed from some key players. Theodore did not play at a level he needed to, ending up with just a .882 save % and 4.00 GAA. Not good enough. He has seen his last game in an Eagle uniform.

McEachern, at or near the top of the team in scoring the past few seasons had 0 points and was a -3. He also played his last game in Edmonton silks. Parrish, the team's leading goal scorer each of the last 4 seasons had one assist.

Overall, I think the team took another step forward this season. I'll do a more indepth summary of the season in a bit, including team awards, after I lick my wounds.

And now the attention turns to RHL17...

So close... but so far

The Eagles limped to the finish line to conclude their 16th season in a disappointing manner, losing out on the race for first in the division to YDP.

While the team had a great second half of the season (20-10-3) and were actually in first place for a short time with a couple of weeks to go, they couldn't keep their tenuous grip on the lead.

While pundits point to crucial losses to the CRY and SEL in the final few games, the team's 8 game winless streak partway into the season was probably responsible for their ultimate demise.

Not only does Edmonton not get bragging rights in the Calder Division, they now face a first round matchup against the second best team in the regular season - the ROV. While this may not seem fair for the 9th ranked Eagles, who finished 6 games over .500 themselves, it's a reality of the playoff format.

This is exactly the scenario that was described by pundits halfway through the season when the way the conference would shake out was becoming apparent. With arguably the three best teams in the league in the other division, it was either win the Calder or face one of these three in the first round.

The Eagles lost both games to the ROV this year, and Baffin Isle rolled to only 13 losses the entire season. All the facts point to a brief post-season for the Eagles in RHL16.

"Yeah, it's disappointing. We controled our own fate down the stretch, which is all a team can ask for," commented Bourdeau. "We just couldn't win enough big games. I give the guys credit, they fought hard and played great the past couple of months."

"We're certainly not going to roll over and let the ROV have an easy round. This will be a could measuring stick as to where we are at as a team, and I now the boys are chomping at the bit to prove we belong in the upper eschelon. It'll be a good series."