Chris Clegg
South Peace News
The Falher Pirates were very much aware of the history of not winning the NPHL title on home ice for 70 years when they hosted the league’s Holy Grail March 22 in front of their delirious hometown fans after a 5-0 shutout win over the Manning Comets to win the series in six games.
It was March 12, 1955 when the Pirates defeated the visiting Fairview Monarchs to win their first NPHL title – they have now won four.
“It goes without saying that we are very happy to have won the cup on home ice,” says head coach Dan Aubin.
“We were well aware of how long it had been since it was last celebrated on home ice.”
Adding to the sweetness of the win was the fact they lost the last two league finals in thrilling seven-game series. March 25, 2023 the Pirates lost Game 7 by a score of 4-3 in overtime at Dawson Creek, and on March 25, 2024, they lost at home 3-2 to the Spirit River Rangers.
“The win was extra special considering the heartbreak Game 7 losses over the past two seasons,” says Aubin.
“The team is a big part of the community and vice versa so it was special to share that moment with the community, family and friends,” he adds. “Everyone was on the ice to celebrate after the team got their moment with the cup.”
Indeed, each player was allowed a short skate with the trophy in front of cheering fans.
Aubin says the two Game 7 losses in 2023 and 2024 helped prepare the team for the win.
“Every loss is a moment to learn, so – yes – the two past seasons helped us,” he says.
“We knew that we couldn’t take our opportunities for granted and had to do all that we could to close out a final series if we had the chance.”
The Pirates had a chance to win the title at Manning the night before but lost 5-0.
“I think the magnitude of Game 5 in Manning and the nerves of not letting the series slip away got the better part of us and we had our worst game of the playoffs,” says Aubin.
“On Saturday, the feeling around the team was completely different and there was a quiet confidence in the group. We came out with a great penalty kill early and the guys just built on that momentum, played great physical fast hockey and scored three goals within a small window which got our crowd going.”
And when the Comets rallied, goaltender Ryan Noble was up to task, eventually stopping all 33 shots to record the shutout.
“Noble was a monster and the whole team played their most complete game of the playoffs,” notes Aubin.
Over the last few years, the Pirates were building a strong Cup contender and kept knocking at door, only to fall short of barging through.
“Throughout the regular season and playoffs our team success was built on our depth,” says Aubin.
“We had four solid lines no matter who was in on any given night. Our roster was 30-35 players deep throughout the season including our (affiliated players) and every single one of them contributed to this championship.”
In the Pirates’ 12 playoff wins, nine players scored game-winning goals and no player more than two.
Defensively, Noble teamed with Chris Key to provide solid goaltending and the defence was stellar. One defenceman, Tyrell Boucher, was awarded the playoff MVP award. One could argue there was no stronger goaltending tandem since the Grimshaw Huskies duo of Joe DeGirolamo and Joe Fawcett in the late 1990s.
As alluded to in a post-series Facebook post, Pirates’ general manager Gil Desharnais noted there were many people who continued to the success. Aubin echoed that sentiment.
“The team was so well supported by the board, the volunteers, the trainers Jason (Boucher), Paul (Dubois), Adrian and Don were the absolute best and the two coaches I got work with, Mitch (Maisonneuve) and Jason (Cloutier) were fantastic as always. None of this happens without those type of people.”
And the heartbreak of the last two years is long forgotten
“It has been three years building towards this so the players and coaches that were here before are also a major contributing part of this year’s team success,” says Aubin.
Next year, the Pirates look to repeat for the first time in their long team history.
“We will celebrate this championship over the summer and be back at it next year hoping to repeat,” says Aubin.
“We have a group of competitive players and staff who take pride in this success so I’m sure that the goal will be to win again”