The Grand Forks Midget Rep team hosted the Nakusp (North Kootenay) Falcons last Saturday in the first game of their playoff series. The winner of this West Kootenay matchup would move on to the provincial tournament in Burns Lake. This was one exciting hockey game and certainly had the feel of a playoff contest from the opening whistle. The fans were treated to a tension-filled, dramatic battle, which was not decided until the final minutes of the third period.

Grand Forks opened the scoring in this close-checking affair when Dryden Link, showing great hustle on the play, managed to beat the Nakusp goalie, staking his team to a slim one goal lead after one period. Nakusp tied the game in the second when Mitch Hascarl finally managed to beat Eric Johnston, who played an outstanding game in nets for the local Midget team. This would set the stage for a wild third period.

The visitors took their first lead of the game with an early goal by Kris James. Minutes later, a shorthanded marker by Curtis Rollie knotted the score at 2-2. The locals regained the lead when Nic Storie notched a power play goal. Then, only seconds after Johnston made the save of the game, Evan Sargeant gave Grand Forks a 4-2 lead. The momentum was clearly on their side but as often happens in sports, the momentum factor can quickly change. Untimely penalties proved to be the undoing of the local Midget Reps in the final minutes of the game. The Falcons banged in a power play goal to creep within one, and then tied the game when Nathan Wiebe scored from a scramble in front of the net.

With just under three minutes remaining Grand Forks was once again penalized, and only five seconds into the power play, Nakusp would score what proved to be the winning goal when Brodie Simpson scored on a long short from the blue line. It was a difficult and frustrating playoff loss for Grand Forks but the game certainly kept the crowd on the edge of their seats. Rollie was the offensive star for the home team as he also picked up two assists for a three-point afternoon.

The Midget Junior Bruins travelled to Nakusp on Sunday, facing a must win situation, but were on the losing end of an 8-3 score. Kade Heiberg, Chris Osellame and Dryden Link scored the goals for Grand Forks. Robert Mills left the game in the first period with a separated shoulder. This ends the playoffs for the Midget team. Thanks to Manager Ian Burdikin for his assistance in providing the score sheets and information throughout the season.