Alexandria Blizzard Hockey

Friday afternoon, the lights never came on.

The Blizzard, the surprise Central Division post-season champions, were beaten by the Mahoning Valley Phantoms in what proved to be Alex's final game of the season. The loss eliminated the Blizzard from the Robertson Cup, the North American Hockey League's final four national championship tournament.

Down 2-1 after 40 minutes, the Blizzard were forced to start the third period with two men in the penalty box. After nearly killing the two-man disadvantage, Alexandria gave up a goal to the Phantoms to make it 3-1. Despite a valiant effort, there would be no comeback.

Alexandria's tank had run dry and the Phantoms went on to a 6-1 victory.
“It has been an incredible season,” said Blizzard assistant general manager Grant McGinnis. “It's a shame to see it end this way but the guys had nothing left to give.

“We're proud of what we accomplished and how far we have come. To go from last overall to the Robertson Cup is something nobody has ever done before. It was an amazing run.”

The Blizzard won just three times in its first 18 games before finishing the year with 35 victories, the best totals in the five-year history of the franchise.