And just like that, 34 games later, our season is finally over as we fall to the hands of the Deeside Dragons at the Quarter-Final Stage of the Laidler Playoffs.

This weekend saw us take on the Deeside Dragons 2 in a two-leg aggregate scoring matchup with a spot in the semi-finals at stake. Saturday had the Skydome play host whilst we travelled to Deeside for the return leg on the Sunday.

Leg One

Saturday started really positively as we took the lead 01;02 into the game, thanks to Ryan James picking off a lose centre ice pass and making no mistake on the breakaway, high to the glove side to make it 1-0 NIHL Blaze.

It wasn't till early on into the second period until the next goal was scored and it was the leveller for the Dragons. An odd bounce off the boards wrong foots the Blaze defenseman and James Shaw pounces on the bounce and makes a great play round Laverick to make it 1-1.

The Dragons would then take the lead thanks to Warburton who pounced on a big rebound to fire it past Laverick to make it 1-2.

It would then not be till the next period till the next goal was scored as this time the NIHL Blaze levelled it up thanks to a smart tip from Tom Brooke-Smith, off a Ryan James shot as we were all tied again.

The next goal was the go-ahead goal, on the powerplay. Prosser and Brookes make good work of a board battle that was picked up by Tom Brooke-Smith who fed Harrison Sumner out in front who got the first effort away and Brooke-Smith slotted home the rebound and the score was 3-2 to the good.

The final goal of the night was the leveller by James Shaw again. His speed taking him around the NIHL Blaze defenseman and a smart shot short side beats Laverick which would set up a barn burner on the Sunday.

LEG 1 FINAL SCORE: NIHL Blaze 3-3 Dragons 2

Leg Two

It would be another positive start to the game as another goal inside the first two minutes put the NIHL Blaze back up one to the good. That second line involved once again as Prosser slammed one home on the doorstep after some good play from Brooke-Smith and Brookes who were credited with the assists.

The equaliser came on the powerplay after a deflected effort from the point saw Chong return the game to level pegging, 1-1 on the night - 4-4 on aggregate.

We would then regain the lead thanks to Charles Coney getting his first of the playoffs, 1-2 to the good at 13:33.

We would then gain our first two goal lead of the series as a third powerplay goal would find the back of the net, yet again thanks to Tom Brooke-Smith with assists this time going to Sumner and Coney. 31:04 the time of the goal.

Before the end of the period however, the Dragons would claw back to see us once again all tied up at three a piece on the night and six-all on aggregate. 3-3 it ended through two, on the night.

The sixth and final regulation period brough with it some hope as 3:18 into the frame, Harrison Sumner would score his second of the weekend, unassisted and once again we would lead. 3-4.

And unfortunately, we would see powerplays hurt us as we would concede four unasnwerd goals in the last fifteen minutes of the game to see our season come to an abrupt end. James Shaw getting his hatrick and fifth goal of the weekend to seal the deal with under two minutes to play.

LEG 2 FINAL SCORE: Dragons 7-4 NIHL Blaze

FINAL SCORE: NIHL Blaze 7-10 Dragons 2

Although our season finished earlier than we wanted it to, we are certainly proud of what we achieved over the course of the season. Through adversity and endless injuries, we battled hard to see us finish in third place and reach the quarter-finals of the playoffs, the semi-finals of the league cup and miss out on the HockeyHound Cup by just a point.

To all of our fans, sponsors, parents, volunteers, coaches and management - Thank you for all of your support over this season. We could not do this without you and we are eternally grateful.

The off season brings a chance to rest and recuperate after a hectic schedule and for some players to rest up and recover from injuries.

We want to wish the rest of the remaining teams in the playoffs the best of luck.

We will see you all next season.

IDP Coventry NIHL Blaze