Mark Malone

Teams from Ursuline, McGregor and Chatham Christian hit the court Friday at Ursuline College Chatham for a basketball qualifying tournament for the Special Olympics Ontario School Championship Games

The Northern Vikings won the team championship at the annual CK Relays track and field meet Saturday.

The Northern Vikings won the team championship at the annual CK Relays track and field meet Saturday.

After nearly writing a storybook finish, the Alvinston Killer Bees are already hard at work on a better ending for next season.

Advertisement 1 Share this Story : Alvinston Killer Bees hungry for next season after championship loss Alvinston Killer Bees hungry for next season after championship loss After nearly writing a storybook finish, the Alvinston Killer Bees are already hard at work on a better ending for next season. Author of the article: Article content After nearly writing a storybook finish, the Alvinston Killer Bees are already hard at work on a better ending for next season. Advertisement 2 Article content Alvinston Killer Bees hungry for next season after championship loss Back to video Three days after a Game 7 loss in the Western Ontario Super Hockey League final, the Killer Bees were scheduled to host about 30 players at a tryout Monday. Article content “That's our mentality from now on. The job's not done,” Killer Bees general manager Brett Case said. “We've got to tie those work boots up a little tighter and get to work.” Down by five goals early in the third period of Friday's Game 7, the Killer Bees staged a late rally before losing 5-4 to the Thunder at the Tillsonburg Community Centre. Alvinston's third-year team was in the final after winning only seven games in its first two seasons. “It was almost a too good to be true story,” Case said. “We were waiting for Netflix to give us a call about our documentary. … It was a Cinderella story that was coming true and it almost did come true. We were that close to finishing that story. We're going to come back and finish it next year.” Advertisement 3 Article content He texted a heads up to Thunder GM Bill Ryan after the loss. “I said, ‘Congratulations, but make sure that trophy doesn't get too comfy because we're going to be back next year for it,'” Case said. Former Sarnia Sting defenceman Franco Sproviero led the comeback bid with a goal and three assists. Playoff scoring champion Brennan Feasey added a goal and two assists to finish with 49 points. James McEwan and Aidan Prueter also scored. Matteo Lalama made 33 saves. “There were some teary eyes on Friday when the ending happened, but tears of pride probably,” Case said. “They put everything they had on the ice and in that sweater. When they say blood, sweat and tears, that was our group. Every drop of blood, every drop of sweat and every tear was put on that jersey. When they put it on, they went all in for the town.” Advertisement 4 Article content Sproviero and Prueter are expected to play next season at Western University. Everyone else can return. “They got a taste of what they want and now they're just coming out hungrier for next year,” Case said. However, Monday's tryout is a reminder no one is guaranteed a roster spot. The team needs to get better — even if that means saying goodbye to some veterans. “You can't have a season like we just did and not go back for the second kick at the can,” Case said. They can look to Tillsonburg for inspiration. The Thunder have reached the final in all three years of the league's existence, losing to the Elora Rocks in 2022 and the Stratford Fighting Irish in 2023 before finally claiming the trophy. The Killer Bees tied for fourth place this season with a 14-8-2 record for 30 points, four behind the co-leaders. Advertisement 5 Article content Recruiting wasn't easy last summer. When Case spoke to players from the London area, they didn't know where to find Alvinston or why they should come. He promised them a passionate fan base. The Bees' veterans also spread the word the team was committed to winning. “We had to turn away players that are incredibly talented hockey players just because we didn't have any roster spots left,” Case said. He lauded the players' dedication in the playoffs, pointing out star defenceman Bayly Fryfogle played Game 7 on a broken foot. “The amount of (kinesiology therapeutic) tape our trainer and massage therapist used on our guys in the last series was incredible because our first two series, man, was it a war,” the GM said. “It was the most physical hockey I think I've seen in a long time. These guys battled through injuries — separated shoulders, torn muscles in their shoulders, broken ribs, broken feet. It's incredible. Advertisement 6 Article content “I said to our president, Dan Cumming, ‘This is Stanley Cup finals stuff.'” About 400 Killer Bees fans attended Game 7 and inspired the late rally, Case said. “It really brings almost a tear to your eye, how much support you have in this small-town community of Alvinston,” he said. “You build it. They'll come. It's small but mighty Alvinston. They're always going to be behind you.” Every playoff game had a live band. Pre-game intros featured smoke and sparklers. Fan giveaways included rally towels, foam fingers, boom sticks, noisemakers and cowbells. “Whenever the Bees play, it's an event,” Case said. “It's not just a simple hockey game anymore. … We had guys that played pro hockey, OHL — high-level hockey — and they said this is insane. This is the most incredible atmosphere they've ever played in.” Article content Share this article in your social network Share this Story : Alvinston Killer Bees hungry for next season after championship loss Comments Join the Conversation Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion. Please keep comments relevant and respectful. Comments may take up to an hour to appear on the site. You will receive an email if there is a reply to your comment, an update to a thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information. Latest National Stories News Near Elliot Lake This Week in Flyers

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