It was a difficult Minto Cup for the 2013 Okotoks Raiders.
For the 11th time since the Minto Cup adopted a four-team, three-province format back in 2003, Alberta was eliminated without winning a single game against the eastern or western Canadian champions.
The end came Monday, following the Raiders' 16-9 loss to the New Westminster Salmonbellies at Queen's Park Arena.
Alberta also lost 9-5 to Coquitlam, before suffering an 18-4 walloping by the Whitby Warriors.
The outcomes may have been easier to take for the Prairie club, but for an earlier decision a standing committee of the Canadian Lacrosse Association and the Minto Cup to go back to a best-of-seven final between the best from the east and west.
"It's an emotional time," said Okotoks game MVP Matt Kristiansen, who led the Alberta champs with a goal and three assists in the final game.
Kristiansen was part of a multi-player trade to the Warriors from Sherwood Park that he says changed the nature of how lacrosse is conducted in the wild rose province.
"(The trades) really helped this team," Kristiansen said. "One team had to make a sacrifice. It was all about making a competitive team, and I think we showed that. It had never been done before."
But all that work, including the Rocky Mountain league developing a four-team junior A ladder, may be in jeopardy.
Beginning next season, B.C. will host the sevengame final Minto series, with Ontario hosting in 2015.
Alberta will still have the opportunity to compete at the Minto, with the winner of a five-game qualifying series against the B.C. champion moving on to the Canadian final.
As part of the concession, Alberta will host the Minto Cup in 2016.
What's at stake is Alberta's ability to continue to grow without a presence at the national championships. Another challenge is to change the junior B mentality in the province, which is still Founders Cup first.
"It comes down to improving yourself and playing at the top level," said Kristiansen. "We had a great team this year. I can't believe it's over."
The Minto Cup continues in a best-of-five series format, beginning Thursday at 8 p.m.
