Things were a little peculiar last Sunday afternoon at the Grand Forks Arena.
The parking lot was full, inside the building the fans were everywhere and most noticeably, there was a distinct buzz in the air.
It was a welcome clatter of excitement and appreciation as the Grand Forks Border Bruins closed out their season with a solid and workman-like effort against the Spokane Braves.
The game ended in a 1-1 double overtime tie, a rare low scoring affair for the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League (KIJHL).
The Bruins really deserved their ninth win of the season in this one, outshooting their opponents 54-36.
Not surprisingly, the first two stars of the game were the goalies, Matt Zenzola from the Braves and Dominic Stadnyk of the Border Bruins. Julian DiFillipo actually played the first half of the game for the visitors but it was their backup Zenzola who kept his team in the game, making several highlight reel saves – he was as hot as the weather in his hometown of San Diego.
Jackson Purvis notched his 23rd goal of the season for Grand Forks late in the opening period. It was his 50th point of the campaign and he also was given the KIJHL Neil Murdoch division Most Sportsmanlike Player award prior to the game.
He collected more hardware (top scorer and team MVP) when the team trophies were handed out after the final buzzer.
The 18-year-old from Lethbridge, Alta. was a consistent player all season and it was no surprise that he was recognized by the league, his teammates and coaches.
As play resumed in the final frame you wondered if that goal might stand up for the last 20 minutes but Spokane finally got on the score sheet with a nifty two-on-one passing play six minutes into the last period of the Bruins’ season.
The drama continued to build as both teams, particularly the locals, did everything but score.
The initial five minute overtime period, featuring four-on-four hockey, did not settle the issue.
The tension mounted even more during the second five minutes of sudden death, this time with only three players on either side.
Part way through these thrilling overtime sessions a spontaneous chant rose from a crowd that was truly relishing a great hockey moment.
To hear “Go Bruins Go,” must have been music to the ears of a group of players and coaches, who often play before sparse crowds.
This collection of athletes deserved to be saluted and recognized for providing entertaining hockey in the 2012-13 season; last year’s edition managed one win, this team secured eight victories.
Yes, the playoffs are still a dream, yet the brand of hockey was noticeably improved. They competed and were not that far off from making it to the postseason.
The atmosphere in the old ice palace for this final Junior B game of the year was positive, at times even electric, and left the spectators, some watching this team for the first time all season, with a good impression and perhaps a desire to return next year to offer their support.
The game will be recorded in the official league stats as a draw.
The result can be viewed as a win for a hockey program that really needed an improved season.
A thrilling, spirited game on a warm February afternoon augmented that, providing a concluding exclamation point to a better year.
One left the building with a sense of hope for 2013-14.
For images of the team awards, go here.