The Cochrane Chaos may have gone down three straight in the Alberta Junior Female Hockey League (AJFHL) final, but it took double overtime for the Sherwood Park Steele to wrap up the series, Mar. 23.

The Steele took a 1-0 lead into the third period before Jenna Wasylik scored the equalizer in the dying minutes of regulation. The Steele scored early in the second overtime on a broken play and a bad bounce in front of the net.

Chaos Head Coach Derek Loomer said it was almost a surreal moment on the bench when the Steele scored the series' winner.

"In some ways, it's tough because this was the year and everything aligned," says Loomer. "I certainly never ever entered into this series thinking we wouldn't win it. Any game could have gone either way.

"I really like what the series was, it was good hard fast hockey. I think the girls loved that part of it, it just would have been nice to get a couple of breaks the other way."

He believes the Chaos outplayed the Steele in this game and through most of the series.

"I'm so proud of them. I thought we outplayed them most of the game and had lots of shots, lots of good scoring opportunities, but just couldn't capitalize on them."

Despite the loss, the Chaos did have a milestone year in their second season in the league. They finished on top in the regular season, fuelled by a highly-charged offense and solid goaltending that lead to a South Division title over the Central Alberta Amazons.

"We did everything we could; we left it all on the ice," says Loomer. "They should be proud of what they accomplished this year. Much as it hurts to have that happen, the girls really came together and had an excellent season.

"They're a very talented group. I would love to have all of them back next year, but of course, a lot of people have other lives they have to get to, and that's not likely to happen. We should get a fairly strong core of girls back and we will build up and hopefully have another successful season and another shot at the title next year."

The Steele finished on top of the north division and bounced back from a loss to the Edmonton Wolves in the North championship series to go on to win their next five games straight to successfully defend their league championship.

"They're a really good team and had excellent goaltending," says Loomer. "They really didn't give us a lot of rebound chances and really collapsed well in front of their net and their goalie was stopping anything coming outside of the box. When you get that kind of combination it works very well."

Western Showcase Here

The season isn't quite over for the AJFHL. Cochrane will become the first south team to host the Alberta Junior Female Hockey League Western Showcase, Apr 6-8.

Eight teams are participating in the two-pool tournament that includes the league championship Steele, Fort Saskatchewan, two Calgary teams, the Manitoba Gray Owls plus two graduating midget teams formed of players divided into northern and southern Alberta teams.

Other activities surrounding the showcase include a silent auction, a Saturday marketplace and photo booth.

"We're trying to make it a really good experience for all the girls and fans that come out to take in that last little bit of hockey for the year."

Previously, the Western Showcases have been hosted by the Steele in Androssan, AB.

Three weeks later, the Chaos are holding their spring camp, Apr. 27-28.