The season has come to an abrupt end for the Virden Oil Capitals, despite a strong push to close out the regular season, an overtime loss on Saturday night combined with the win by the team they were chasing, signals the end.
It was a gutsy effort by the club and that effort kept them in this must win game right up to the end.
After a scoreless first period, the Titans struck twice to take a 2-0 lead toward the end of the second.
Captain Ethan Guthrie pulled the Oil Caps a little closer, scoring his 6th of the season with the lone assist going to Noel Englot, cutting the lead to 2-1 heading into intermission.
Nearing the midway point of the third, a Virden power play produced the needed goal to tie the game.
Defender Tyler Dodgson hammered home his 14th of the campaign, knotting the game up 2-2. Brett Sabel and Marek Miller picked up the assists.
Virden and Neepawa played to a stalemate the rest of the way and Virden collected a massive point, but one point wouldn't be good enough, they needed both.
It was not meant to be.
Less than two minutes into overtime, Neepawa scored to win 3-2 and close out their regular season with a win.
Virden's extra-time loss would have cost them a playoff spot regardless, but it happened the Waywayseecappo defeated the Dauphin Kings 2-1 to clinch a playoff spot themselves.
Virden was outshot 32-31 in the game.
Loic Morin did all he could and finished with 29 saves.
The Oil Caps power play was 1-2 while the penalty kill was 2-3.
Graduating players for the Virden Oil Capitals are Luke Robson, Brett Sabel, Adler Johnston, Tyler Dodgson, Loic Morin and captain Ethan Guthrie.