Calgary Buffaloes win 2008 Pacific Regional Championships

Having squandered the prospect of wrapping things up on Saturday night, the Calgary Buffaloes got mad, got even and are now booking their plane tickets east.

The Buffaloes, shoving aside memories of a 5-4 triple-overtime loss, stormed back with a clear purpose in mind on Sunday afternoon at Acadia Rec Centre, defeating the Cariboo Cougars 3-1 to win the Pacific Regional midget hockey best-of-three championship two games to one.

Calgary advances to the Telus Cup national midget hockey tournament in Arnprior, Ont., from April 21 to 27, and will attempt to improve on a silver medal from two years ago.

"It was a hard-fought game and the guys did the job,'' commented Buffaloes' head coach James Poole. "(Saturday's loss) was disappointing, because I felt we deserved a better result. But I think the guys were more angry than disappointed and they were definitely focused on today.''

The Buffaloes' greatest challenge on the afternoon was getting the puck past Cariboo netminder Alex Wright, who was brilliant once again. By the time Brett Switzer scored on a tip-in at the 8:43 mark of the second period, Calgary had gone just over 100 minutes without beating Wright.

"He's a very good goaltender and we knew we had to step it up,'' suggested Switzer, who added a second goal early in the third on a shorthanded breakaway.

Wright, for his excellent effort, was named the series' MVP.

"My boys played some very good hockey and the game today was hockey the way it should be played,'' pointed out Cougars' head coach Grant Williams. "Full value to the Buffaloes; they're a very good team and good luck to them in the Telus Cup.''

The northern B.C. club didn't roll over in the third. RJay Berra deked a defender and fired the puck low past Sean Cahill at 8:46, prompting some perspiration from the hometown fans in attendance. But the locals, quicker on the puck and strong in their own zone, gave the visitors from Prince George little room to roam.

Tyler Horton potted the empty netter at 19:32.

"It's unbelievable,'' smiled Switzer, 17. "This was our goal at the start of the year and we knew it would be hard work. This is the biggest thing we've ever done.''

The Buffaloes will enjoy a few days off before getting back on the ice for some serious practice.

Team captain Brooks Myers, who broke his collarbone in Saturday night's game, is out for the season, but will still make the trip to Ontario with the team.