Kirby Sawatzky ended the Miller Aces 32-year drought.

Sawatzky was the overtime hero as the Aces defeated the three-time defending champion Thunder 4-3 to capture the Zone 4 High School Hockey League championship Thursday night in Morden.

"You think over the years how we've had some good teams and we just haven't been able to finish the job," said Aces head coach Rob Smith. "18 years ago I moved to Altona and started coaching high school hockey and we were close my very first year. We lost in overtime in game five. I've been thinking of this moment ever since."

It all started with 9:52 left in the first period as Andrew Dyck beat Owen Domitruk, who made 26 saves in the loss for the Thunder. Ryan Smiley and Rory Penner picked up the helpers on the Aces first tally. Miller would increase their lead to 2-0.  Aces captain Colton Harder put a backhander over the shoulder of Domitruk in the second period.

The Thunder rallied for three third period goals to force overtime and keep their season alive.

Morden captain Evan Wuerch picked up a rebound in front of the net and shoveled the puck past Aces goaltender Declan Enns to cut the gap to 2-1 just 20 seconds into the period. Then with just under six minutes left to play Harder found the twine again for his second of the game and restored Miller's two-goal lead.

Derek Wiebe's goal with 1:42 remaining in regulation cut the Ace's lead to 3-2 and then with only 29 seconds left, Cameron Brunn scored a power play goal that drew the Thunder even at 3-3.

"I was really happy with the resiliency that our group showed being down 3-1 late in the third period," said Thunder head coach Jeff Andrews. "It took guts to forge a comeback. I really felt like we had a lot of momentum there. Just disappointed for the guys that we couldn't pull it out."

During the overtime period Morden killed off a penalty, but it wasn't enough to hold off the pressure of the league's top team during the regular season. 

Sawatzky received a pass from Harder, drove toward the net and scored 5:25 into overtime sending the large contingent of Altona fans home happy with a 4-3 win, and the teams first Zone 4 championship banner in over three decades.

"I just rushed it down the ice, saw a chance and it somehow went in," said Sawatzky. "I just threw it on net and it went in."

Parker Sawatzky receives his Playoff MVP award


The playoff MVP honours with a solid defensive effort all post-season went to Parker Sawatzky of the Aces who recorded four goals and four assists in six games.

"I wasn't expecting to be it, but it feels pretty good," said Sawatzky. "I think it was just a hard work ethic, battling in the corner and getting good shots in from the point."

The Aces will represent the Zone 4 at the Provincial "AAAA" High School Championship in Winnipeg, March 9, 10 & 12.

As for the Thunder, they hope to get a wildcard spot into the "AAAA" Provincials.

Meanwhile the Morris Mavericks will head to the Provincial "AA" Championship in Killarney from March 8th-10th.

The Prairie Mountain Mustangs have also applied for a wildcard at the "AA" Provincials.