The following article was published in the Peak in April of 1999.
Regals return without cup
Three Powell River Regals were named to the all-star team at the 1999 Allan Cup tournament, but the big trophy eluded them. Chad Vizzutti was named top goaltender while defenceman John Vanderkemp and forward Mike Hassman joined him in the all-star balloting.
Fighting back from a 5-0 deficit in the final game, the Regals ran out of time and lost 6-3 to the host Stony Plain Eagles. Tod English, Rick McLaren and Scott Mastrodonato scored for the green and gold.
Hap Parker, a Regals honorary lifetime member, said he saw some great hockey during the week.
"It was a great series," he added. "All in all, our boys gave it all they had and I enjoyed the games. I was proud of them. They behaved themselves on and off the ice."
Parker said the team had a bad start in the final game. Having a portion of the glass fall out near the end of the second period hurt the players' momentum as the Regals had fought back with three goals.
"That delay combined with a presentation between the second and third periods put a damper on our guys," he added.
Gary Lupul, who shared coaching duties with Gary Kremsater, said he was happy to be part of the tournament.
"Our guys played their butts off," said Lupul.
He said he wished the referee had allowed the two teams to play the game and "kept his whistle in his pocket."
All the penalties interrupted the flow of the game, putting off the tempo, added Lupul.
After losing 5-3 to Stony Plain on Thursday night, the Regals had to meet Lloydminster in the semi-final Friday. Trent Kaese scored twice and added an assist to lead the Regals to a 5-3 win. After giving up the first goal, they were never behind. Dennis Saharchuk had two assists and Hassman garnered one of each.
Regals had won their first two games of the four-team tournament by scores of 7-1 over Lloydminster Border Kings and 8-3 over London (Ontario) Admirals.
Looking back, English said they probably should have done some things differently as several players were tired playing five games in a row.
"I'm proud of the guys; everyone played great," said English. "And we felt the fan support, both in the arena and back home where people listened to the games on the radio."
For the past three years, the team that has hosted the event has won the coveted senior men's cup. Truro (Nova Scotia) Bearcats were the 1998 winners; Regals held the honour in 1997.
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