The Cariboo Cougars refused to go away quietly.
But their season is now over after losing 9-4 to the Valley West Hawks in Game 2 of the best-of-three B.C. Hockey Major Midget League playoff championship Saturday in South Surrey.
Combined with their 4-1 win Friday in Langley, the Hawks completed the sweep and will host the Pacific regional championship series against the Alberta champion, April 1-3.
The Hawks blew a two-goal lead in the third period and were tied 4-4 with the Cougars but Valley West forward James Malm scored three times in third period as the Hawks finished with five unanswered goals.
Josh Maser fired the fourth Cariboo goal early in the third period to raise his team’s hopes of extending the series to a third and deciding game on Sunday, but the Cougars’ comeback bid ended there.
Reid Perepeluk scored two goals for the Cougars. Tyler Ho had the other Cariboo goal.
Malm, who collected 14 goals and 43 points in just 18 regular season games, also scored in the second period Saturday to help the Hawks overcome a 2-1 deficit after one period.
Ben Evanish, Josh Bruce, Christian Bosa, Ilijah Colina and Kabir Gill also scored for Valley West.
The shots and goaltenders who played Saturday were not available on the league website.
The Pacific champions will go on to play in the Telus Cup national championship in Quispamsis, N.B., April 18-24.
