Driving to the net, Ste. Anne Aces forward Steph Pattyn chipped a centering pass up and into the net, sending the Aces bench and traveling supporters into celebration as they were crowned Provincial Champions.
"If you would have told me at the start of the year this is how it would play out, I'd have said you were more than nuts," Pattyn says with a smile days after he's let it all sink in. "Anyone that would ask me if I was playing, I'd say there was a 0% chance, I was happy being coach and happy being part of the team on the bench. As we went through the season, things came down to we'd have to be going with nine skaters, so I'd dress to make it 10. That was the reason for me signing a card halfway through the year. Once I got the itch, I was unable to take the skates off. I took care of myself and was able to play at an older age."
@steinbach_online Steph Pattyn of the Ste. Anne Aces scores the overtime winning goal for the Senior Provincial Championship. Video taken by Dale Plett #Aces #Win #Congrats ♬ original sound - SteinbachOnline
Having scored some pretty big goals in his life, Pattyn says this one is high on the list. "It's still fresh, so I have to say it's up there. It's been a long season, it was a fun season, but I think to see it end the way it ended after facing the adversity and challenges, it makes it all pretty special."
As has been the case over the last few seasons, the Aces made things very interesting even before overtime, as Pattyn explains. "I think the thing about our team is we're very resilient. We believe we can win the game no matter where we are at or where the game is in the process. We held that belief all the way to the end. Scoring with eight seconds left to send the game into overtime didn't really surprise us. We were starting to shake a bit thinking we were running out of time. We had a d-zone faceoff with 28 seconds left, so odds were pretty slim that we'd get a chance, but when it came and the guys pulled it off, the bench erupted. We had that belief that anything is possible."
Regrouping in the intermission, Pattyn says that extra frame was a roller coaster of emotions. "We were ready, we came out flying and had a lot of really good chances. When you don't see the puck go into the back of the net when things are continually there and then they come down and had some chances, it was nerve-racking. To finally see the puck go in the back of the net was a relief for everyone."
This Aces group is as close as any team in it's history, so winning with this team means a lot to Pattyn. "We've been together for a few years now. We've added some key pieces along the way and lost some pieces along the way. The core of our group has remained. I don't think we've been challenged the way we were this year. Especially through the playoffs, going to seven games and overtime for the league championship against Springfield, to the last two years not having success at the provincial level, to see it all come together for the guys in the room and the guys that have been here for years is special. We keep talking about the memories that we'll have forever and that's what sports is all about. When you have a group of guys that are committed that mission of what the teams needs to be successful, we're all very fortunate to be a part of something like that."
Representing Ste. Anne is a real point of pride for Pattyn and having many from the community celebrate with them also meant the world. "It's quite special. There are a few guys on our team that give back to the community and not just Ste. Anne but other communities by coaching kids and it's special to see them jumping up and down when we win or score, it gives us the sense of wanting to show you can play this game at any age and have fun doing it. That's what it's all about, going to the rink with some of your best friends and play the game you love. If we can inspire the next generation to keep those basic fundamentals, that's really big."
While his family was not able to go to Killarney, the kids got to stay up past their bedtime to watch their dad score the winner, which is something Pattyn will cherish forever. "It was really special. I think without their support, I wouldn't be out there. To take time away from them to give to the game I love is a blessing. I don't take it for granted. Having that support is amazing and for them to see that special moment, it sure means a lot."
All Pattyn could do was laugh when it was suggested there was no real point asking him about his future because if this year is any indication, absolutely anything could happen.