Falher Pirates fell one win short of advancing to the playoffs in their first season back in the North Peace Hockey League since January 2000. With a playoff berth on the line, the Pirates were sunk 7-3 by the Valleyview Jets on Feb. 15 at Falher Regional Recreation Complex. Michel Maisonneuve, Deric Meunier, and Jason Bouchar scored the Pirates who trailed 3-1 after the first and second periods and 5-1 early in the final period. “Our players were way too nervous before and during the game,” say head coach Bob Maisonneuve. Nothing clicked and we couldn’t make a pass.” “We just didn’t have it,” says Maisonneuve. Close to 500 Falher fans cheered on the Pirates in their bid to face the regional rival Lakeland Eagles of McLennan in the first round of the playoffs. While the Pirates played with somewhat apprehensively, the Falher coach full credited the Jets for the victory. “Valleyview played a solid game and their goaltender was stellar,” says Maisonneuve. “We missed a few chances in the final period.” Despite a regular-season record of five wins, 22 losses, and one overtime loss, the Pirates grew stronger as players and as team. “I was proud of everyone on the team over the season,” says Maisonneuve. “We improved a lot over the season.” “We didn’t win many games over the last month, but we gave a lot of top teams a big challenge and our power play started to improve.” With a lot of commitment by the Pirates over the season, he is optimistic about the future of the NPHL in Falher. “I hope most of the player return next season,” says Maisonneuve. Falher fans were also a big spark for the players. “Our fans were awesome, and we even have many of our fans coming to our road games,” says Maisonneuve. “When we go to other arenas, we can see how strong our fan support is.” Between 200 to 300 spectators filled the stands each game in Falher. Leading scorers Team captain Jason Bouchard led the Pirates in scoring with 23 goals and 32 assists for 55 points. Denis Rochon scored 18 goals and added 23 assists for 41 points. Daniel Aubin tallied 17 goals and 15 assists for 32 points. Deric Meunier netted 11 goals and 17 assists for 28 points. Special banners were raised to celebrate the Falher Pirates winning the Victory Cup in 1954-55 and the Campbell Cup in 1980-81. Players on the teams included, for 1954-55 – Claude Proulx and Roland Turcotte, and for 1980-81 – Rene Desaulniers, Reg Loiseau, Victor Tardif, Fern Doucet, Dave Gervais, Luc Desaulniers, Richard Fournier, and Bob Maisonneuve.