Despite loss in WHSHL Final, NACI Tigers showcase championship character A season to be proud of, both on and off the ice

By Eoin Devereux Neepawa Banner & Press

While it didn’t have that sports movie style happy ending we had all hoped for, the 2023 playoff run of the Neepawa Area Collegiate Institute (NACI) Tigers is still something they, and the community in general, should look upon with great pride.

The incredible postseason for Neepawa came to an end on Sunday, Mar. 19, as they were bested by the Swan Valley Tigers in the Westman High School Hockey League Final. With the victory, Swan Valley swept the best-of-three final, 2 games to none.

Though defeated on home ice at the Yellowhead Arena, Neepawa still made it a memorable game to watch for the huge gathering of family and fans in the stands, as well as those who watched it broadcast live on NACTV.

Much like a movie script, the hometown heros fell behind early, with Swan Valley scoring the first two goals of the game. Neepawa battled back, however, as Riley Davie earned one less than a minute after Swan’s second goal, to make it 2-1. Just 2:13 later, Tristan Friesen scored, to tie things up at 2-2.

In the third, Swan Valley once again reclaimed the lead, on a power-play opportunity. For the rest of regulation, Neepawa would throw everything they had at the Swan Valley net, coming close on several occasions, including one puck that barely stayed out of the back of the net before being swept away by a Swan Valley defender. Neepawa’s persistence eventually paid off, as Ward

Riley Davie scores the first goal of the night for Neepawa on Sunday, Mar. 19 during game two of the WHSHL Final. This game would ultimately end in overtime, with Swan Valley winning 4-3.

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Attention Rural Manitobans

During the extra time, Swan Valley were called on a penalty. This chance with an extra attacker had the hometown faithful feeling optimistic about scoring what would be the game winner. Unfortunately, Swan Valley was able to take advantage of a loose puck in the neutral zone creating a partial breakaway into the Neepawa zone. Swan Valley forward Kash Henkelman then put the game and series to rest, scoring his third of the night, to give his Tigers the championship.

After the series concluded, Neepawa co-coach

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Troy Brister said the players should look back at what they accomplished this season with a sense of pride.

“We are very proud of the run the boys went on this season. We gained a lot of confidence going to three games in the first round and carried that through to the finals. It was not the result we wanted losing to Swan in the finals, but as coaches we are very grateful for the commitment and passion these boys showed right from the first practice to the final whistle,” said Brister. “They came together as a team and stayed focused on their goal. These players have a lot to be proud of from this season both on ice and off. Hopefully when they look back on it they do so feeling proud of all they accomplished with not only finishing second in the league, but also what they were able to give back to the community in many different ways.”

STRIDECREDITUNION’S ANNUALGENERALMEETINGOFTHEMEMBERS TO:ALLMEMBERSOFSTRIDECREDITUNION

TAKENOTICETHATtheAnnualGeneralMeetingofthe membersof StrideCreditUnionwill be heldon Wednesday,April12,2023at7:00pmCDTviavirtualmeans andviatelephone,forthefollowingpurposes:

•Toapprovethe2022Financial Statements

•ToappointAuditors

•ToapproverecommendedBy-lawamendments

•ToreviewresultsofDirectorElections

All eligible members wishing to participate in the General Meeting are required to register by emailing agmregistration@stridecu.ca by 5pm CDTonApril 10, 2023.

More information about the virtual General Meeting can be found at www.stridecu.ca.

Dated this 23 day of March 2023.

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1-204-476-2336 sfast@taylorlawpatersons.ca

STRIDE CREDIT UNION

By Order of theBoard of Directors

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