PREECEVILLE - The Preeceville Pats U18 hockey team overcame many struggles and challenges to defeat Indian Head to win the Major Hockey League A-Banner championship. The championship final game was played in Preeceville on March 27 in front of a large hometown crowd.
Through the regular season, Preeceville had always came up short in these head-to-head matches and was always chasing Indian Head in the regular season. When it was determined that these two teams would face off for the league title, Preeceville dug deep and became even more determined to win.
Game 1 of the series was held in Indian Head on March 21 and saw Preeceville sneak out a 5-4 win. The second and deciding game was held March 27 in Preeceville. The game saw over 650 fans pack the stands in the arena and cheered loudly for their favourite team. The contest remained scoreless in the first period but late in the second period, Trae Peterson would score unassisted to edge Preeceville closer to the win. The win was sealed when, with only minutes left on the clock. late in the third, Trae Peterson hit the empty net, once again unassisted.
Paul Nixon was the lucky 50/50 winner of $2,850. “Paul had broken his hip the evening of December 27 at the Preeceville rink while playing shinny. Exactly three months later, almost to the hour, he won the 50/50 at the same rink. The prize money more than covers his bills for the ambulance rides to Yorkton, and then to Regina,” stated his wife Ellen McKenzie in an email.
