The S&T Lightning looked to strike down on an NOHA title but couldn't solve Sudbury's Rhythm N' Cues Hustlers.
Back by a solid effort at both ends of the ice, the Hustlers scored once in each period to beat the Lightning 3-1 in the AA Midget championship game at Memorial Gardens.
The Lightning were the lone local team to advance into a championship game on Sunday as the Northern Ontario Hockey Association playdowns concluded in Sault Ste. Marie.
In an entertaining Bantam AA final, the Lightning opened the scoring just 40 seconds into game as Jacob Vachon scored an unassisted marker.
Sudbury rallied less than two minutes later when Matthew Golanski tied the game at 1-1.
Just 36 seconds into the second period, Sudbury took the lead when Mark Baskcomb, who assisted on Golanski's goal, collected a rebound in front of the S&T net and beat netminder Andy Simek. The goal counted despite a minor protest from S&T as the net appeared to be knocked off the pegs seconds before the goal.
Hustlers' goaltender Brett Gauthier foiled the Lightning shooters and made several big saves during the final two periods to keep his team ahead.
Nick Aaviku provided some insurance for the Hustlers with 4:45 remaining when he fired a high shot past Simek, who also made several quality saves in the game, to give Sudbury a two goal cushion.
"We played well and have no reason to be disappointed. Except for our first game, we played well all weekend and that continues what we have done all year. We have had a pretty solid season," said Lightning head coach Angelo Pucci.
S&T advanced into the championship game with a 3-2 win over West Nippissing in Sunday morning's semi-final game. Cody MacDonald, Steven Pandzic and Reg Peer scored for the Lightning. Vachon added two assists.
Sudbury advanced with a 7-2 win over the Blueliners Blackhawks in the other semi-final. John Nolan and Izaak Wickstrom scored for Blueliners.
Pucci feels the Lightning, who have a 25-6-5 record, will be able to build on their performance in the playdowns and carry it through the remainder of the Sault Major Hockey Association playoffs.
The Lightning are currently battling Cambrian Nissan in a semi-final series.
"This team wants to sweep through the playoffs. This was their dream to get this crown, win the NOHA's and go to the all-Ontario's. But it fell short and we are going to turn our attention to the playoffs and the players really want to win that as well."
*** MIDGET AA:
Andrew Piccinetti's second goal of the game midway through the third period proved to be the winner as Sudbury's Rhythm N' Cues Sharks defeated the Sudbury Maslack Lakers 3-2 in the Midget AA championship game.
The Sharks advanced to the final after edging Soo Toyota 2-1 in the semi-finals. Nicolas Lang scored Toyota's lone goal. The Lakers rolled past the Sault's Littner's Park Lions 9-0 in the other semi-final.
*** BANTAM BB:
West Ferris Big Brothers' Dylan Peddle scored with 4:48 remaining to break a 3-3 tie and give West Ferris a 4-3 win over Cochrane's Norbord Bantam Blues in the championship game.
Bradley Huard and Matthew Caruso with two also scored for West Ferris. Conrad Genier, Christian Papineau and Warren Massicotte replied for the Blues.
Cochrane advanced with a 9-1 semi-final win over Wawa while West Ferris edged Englehart 5-4.
PHOTO: S&T's Cody MacDonald (14) and Jacob Vachon (6) battle for position in front of Sudbury goaltender Brett Gauthier.