The Moose Jaw Chiefs had their hopes of back-to-back Prairie Gold Lacrosse League titles squashed on Sunday night with a tough loss in Saskatoon.

After winning Game 1 over the Brewers, 14-13, on Friday, the Chiefs travelled up to the Bridge City on Sunday looking to capture their second straight senior division title, but came up just short.

Moose Jaw lost Game 2 of the series 14-9 and then fell 4-3 in overtime in the mini-game that followed to decide the champion.

“It was completely evenly matched, both teams were hard on the ball, not a lot of room to move out there, we brought our A game, but unfortunately came out on the wrong side,” said Jeff Kitts with the Chiefs.

Moose Jaw has advanced to the league final in each of the past three years, losing twice to Saskatoon.  Kitts said the loss doesn’t change how they view this season.

“It was still a successful season,” he said.  “Losing a tough one like that leaves a little bit of fire in the belly for next year and just remembering how tough it really is to win a championship.

“We had some good contributions from our new guys this year and a couple of our guys that were out this year should be back next year, which only adds to our depth.”

The intensity was up between both teams as they battled it out for top spot in the PGLL.

The Brewers struck early and often in Game 2, opening up a 5-3 lead after the first period.  Moose Jaw scored early in the second period, but still trailed by two, 9-7, after two.

In the third period, the Chiefs again scored early with Tanner Kittler cutting Saskatoon’s lead down to one just 2:07 into the final frame, but the Brewers answered back quickly.  Adam Saunders and Sam Murphy scored two goals 20 seconds apart to put Saskatoon in front by three and that looked like it might be enough.

Todd Doepker scored just past the midway point of the frame to get the Brewers’ lead back down to two, but three goals in the final seven minutes sealed the win for Saskatoon.

In the ten-minute mini-game, the two sides continued to trade goals with Doepker opening the scoring just 2:36 into the period.  Saskatoon tied it up with a goal 28 seconds later and then they took the lead on their own just over a minute after that.

A penalty for the Chiefs in the final two minutes sent Moose Jaw to the penalty kill, but Frank Davalos scored a shorthanded goal just 18 seconds  into penalty to give Moose Jaw the lead.

Saskatoon was able to answer however with just 40 seconds to go in the mini-game to send it to a sudden death overtime.

Bryton Tharrinson scored the game winner for the Brewers in overtime.

“It was an emotional roller coaster,” said Kitts.  “Right off the hop in the sudden death overtime, we had an opportunity on a partial breakaway just five seconds into it and we thought the game was going to be over.”

Kittler had a hat trick in Game 2 for the Chiefs, while Davalos had two goals and six points.  Cody McCartney, Pete Jukes and Carter Davis also scored in the loss.

In the mini-game, Doepker, Jay Fellinger and Davalos scored for Moose Jaw.