The Battlefords AAA Stars needed a win Saturday to force a fifth and final game in the SMAAAHL finals.
They couldn't muster one, dropping a 2-1 decision to the Regina Pat Canadians, losing the title on home ice for the second year in a row.
The Stars were looking to rebound after a disappointing 3-0 loss in game three, looking for the home crowd to give them a jolt.
The first period saw the Stars receive a pair of power play opportunities, but they couldn't capitalize and ended up trailing in the shot department 14-5 after 20 minutes.
Mid way through the second, the Stars jumped out in front.
Braydon Buziak was parked in front of Canadians goalie Curtis Meger and jumped on a rebound from a Layne Young shot, sweeping the puck on his forehand past an outstretched Meger to make it 1-0.
The Canadians answered quickly.
Forty two seconds later, Riley Woods scored an almost carbon copy of Buziak's goal jumping on a rebound in front of Brett Pongracz and sliding it home to tie the game.
Jake Tesarowski and Owen Sillinger received assists on the tying goal.
The Stars outshot Regina 12-9 in the second frame.
The only power play of the third period was a short one for the Stars.
Twenty five seconds after Nathan Gelsinger was charged with tripping, Brandon Lesko was called for hooking giving the teams 1:35 of four on four.
The Canadians took advantage.
With just four seconds remaining in four on four Jake Heerspink spotted Sillinger down low, and fed him a hard pass.
Pongracz couldn't get over in time, and Sillinger made no mistake beating Pongracz blocker side to give the Canadians their first lead of the game.
As time wound down the Stars upped their attack, eventually pulling Pongracz for the extra attacker.
They couldn't solve Meger again, and the clocked reached zero signalling another crushing home ice loss in which the Stars had to watch their opponent celebrate a championship.
Last season the Stars lost to the Notre Dame Argos in game four at home and had to watch them celebrate.
The Stars can perhaps take pride in the fact they were the only team to beat Regina during the playoffs, as the Canadians finished with a 9-1 record in the post season.
After the game all players received finalist and champion plaques from the league president, before the Canadians were handed the trophy and celebrated.
There are numerous players on the Stars roster who are now ineligible to return for another season due to age.
Traye Tkatchuk, Young, Spencer Bast, Keifer Hintz, Troy Gerein, Chad Grambo, Kaleb Dahlgren, Connor Manegre, Derek Frater, Jared Hillis, Kyle Salaway and Pongracz are all 1997-born, meaning they are too old to play major midget next season.
The Stars will look to make a third consecutive trip to the finals when next season begins in September.
