An exciting Regional Tournament drew to a close last Sunday at The Wheel in Saint Charles, MO.  Unfortunately for the Magic, they failed to capture their first regional title since before the 03-04 season, losing 2 games to 1 against St. Charles Community College.

After an embarrassing 4-0 loss in the first game of the series which left the flustered Magic scrambling to find an answer to the Cougars’ powerful offensive attack, the Magic turned the tables on SCC in the second game.

The STLCC home rink, Midwest Sport Hockey, provided the venue for what was probably the biggest win of the season for the Magic (and it couldn't have happened at a better time.) In a close battle, the Cougars scored 4:01 into the contest, seemingly ready to pounce on the Magic and coast to a 6th straight victory against STLCC.  Super stud freshman Bryan Lowe (known for his sniping ability, dirty dangles, and voracious forechecking ability) had other ideas.  A quick pass from linemate Justin Harvey, who has quietly had a stellar season, set up B Lowe for the snipe, and just 42 seconds later the game was knotted at a 1-1 score. 

Under 2 minutes after the B Lowe bomb, Missouri State transfer Andy Houska buried another chance on an assist by Nate Klos to put the Magic ahead 2-1, which would be the score at the end of the first period. 

As the buzzer sounded and the second period began both teams came out firing.  The second period proved to be a back and fourth battle of wills for each team.  2:18 into the second frame, ex-UMSL B-Team sniper Tyler Chapman’s unassisted goal put the Magic up by two early.  The Cougars had an answer for the Chapman tally, as Sean Daft and Josh Bryson tag-teamed the Magic for a goal each on the same shift. The Cougars had knotted the game at 3 and had all of the momentum was on St. Charles' side when grizzled vets Patrik Wuennenberg and Nate Klos hooked up for Wuennenberg’s 6^th tally of the season with only seconds remaining in the period.

Once again, the Cougars had a quick answer for the Magic.  Josh Bryson netted his second goal of the game less than a minute into the third period, tying the score at 4. 

Only a few minutes later, the ever-dangerous and talented D3 MVP (in this writer's opinion) Mike Russell notched a short handed goal, putting the Cougars up one.  Many Magic fans wondered if this would be the goal that put the Cougars ahead for good, but this was not to be. Off the ensuing faceoff, Bryan Lowe hit Eric Dauernheim with a pass as he broke into the SCC zone. With a head of steam, Dauernheim rushed down the right wing and sniped top shelf (where mommy hides the cookies), tying the score just eight seconds later.  

A re-energized Magic squad smelled the blood in the water and would not be stopped. A mere 16 seconds after the Dauernheim snipe, Chapman, not to be outdone by his evil twin, answered Dauernheim's snipe with one of his own putting the Magic up by a goal.  Less than half a minute had seen the Cougars take the lead in the contest and the Magic roar back with two goals of their own.

A late delay of game penalty on Magic goaltender Adam Suraud made things interesting. The SCC power play had been highly successful against the Magic PK unit all season long.  It was a tipping point in the game and both sides knew the next goal would likely be scored by the team who would emerge victorious. Magic Captain Nate Klos knew it more than anyone, and was there to lead his team to victory against their bitter rivals.  Klos scored the critical goal at the crucial point of the game, notching a shorty with four minutes and change remaining in the third period.  The Magic would hold on to the lead and were able to capture the second contest by a score of 7-5, forcing a third game.  

In a much anticipated 3^rd and final game of the 3-game series between the rivals, the Magic lost in overtime 7-6 on a Josh Bryson tap-in goal, ending the undgerdog Magic’s hope of bringing home the hardware.