"Last minute of play, third period."
With those six words, an era was coming to an end at the Chi Mukwa (Big Bear) Community Recreation Centre.
With the Soo Indians franchise folding at season's end, Saturday marked the team's final home game, a 2-0 loss in game six of the best-of-seven North Division finals to the U.S. Under-17 team.
The victory for Team USA also ties the series at 3-3 and forces a seventh game, to be played at the Ice Cube in Ann Arbor, Michigan on Sunday evening at 7:30 p.m.
After a scoreless first period in which Team USA took the play to the Indians, the teams looked to be headed for another scoreless period before Chris Atkinson knocked a loose puck past Indians goaltender Jason Kearney on the power play at 18:23 of the middle frame.
The Indians, who had numerous power play opportunities throughout the game, had a glorious opportunity late in the second period and early in the third when Team USA was sent down two men.
Despite having a two man advantage for just over one minute, the Indians could not beat USA goaltender Brett Bennett, who had a solid outing in recording the shutout.
Bill Sweatt sealed the victory with 11 seconds remaining in the third period when he broke in alone with the Soo net empty for an extra attacker and scored on the empty goal to cap off the two-goal victory.
Indians head coach Joe Shawhan, who has been coaching the team since their inception back in 1995, was pleased with the near sell-out crowd, which also featured a number of former Indians players and coaches, but disappointed with his team's effort in the game.
"The crowd was great," Shawhan said. "It was a great crowd. We just didn't play with a lot of emotion. We gave (Team USA) way too much room to skate. We really played an emotionless game. We certainly had our chances on the power play and didn't have any skill on that.
"If we don't play with skill, that's a pretty good indication that we're just going through the motions because we have to work so hard to generate offense as it is. We got thoroughly outplayed.
"(Kearney) did all he could do to help us win the game . We just didn't get any big plays. Our transitional game was non existent. Everything we need to do to slow them (Team USA) down, we didn't do."
Shawhan added that he didn't feel as though much had to be said about the upcoming game seven in Ann Arbor.
"I don't know if I do (have to say anything)," he said. "They're either going to come to play or they're not."
Team USA coach John Hynes was pleased with the overall effort of his team to win game six on the road to force a game seven.
"The Soo is an extremely tough team to play," said Hynes. "They're well-coached, disciplined, they're strong and they're very tough to play, It's a great experience for our kids to go through because the more experiences you can get, regardless of whether you can move on or not is really what the development program is all about.
"I think this game is a microcosm of the whole series. Both teams play well against each other if you look statistically. I thought it was a great game, both teams play great against each other."
Coming off an overtime loss in game five in Ann Arbor, Hynes felt as though it was one of the best games between the two teams and could have gone either way.
"That was a game that we though either team could have won," Hynes said. "From both perspectives, I think (the Indians) were saying 'Hey, we were in a good game and we happened to win' while we told the kids 'Hey, we were in a good game and we happened to lose.
"I think you have to judge a little bit (regarding whether address the game seven situation or not). I don't know exactly what we'll talk to them about and if we will. We'll probably talk to the captains and get a feel for where they're at and what they need because it is ultimately about the players. As a coach you want to make sure you give the players what they need and what they're looking for."
Following Sunday night's game seven and regardless of the outcome, the Indians will have little time to prepare as they leave for Bismarck, North Dakota on Monday morning for the Jr. A National Championships, where they finished second just two years ago while hosting the tournament.
The Indians will play their first game on Tuesday night when they face the host Bismarck Bobcats. Wednesday night will see them face the West Division Champion Fargo-Moorhead Jets while on Thursday they will face the South Division Champion Texas Tornado.
The championship game and consolation championship are set to take place next Saturday.
The end of the National Championships will also mark the end of Soo Indians hockey, just ten years after resurfacing, bringing an end to a tradition in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
From the players, to the coaching staff of Joe Shawhan and Rick Corbiere, to all of the many volunteers and other staff members as well as the fans, the Soo Indians are a tradition that will be missed by many.