Derek Falloon has a flair for the dramatic.
Falloon scored his second overtime winner of the RBC Cup tournament in the biggest game in Yorkton Terrier history Sunday.
His goal at 15:01 of overtime propelled Yorkton to its first ever RBC Cup title in a 4-3 victory over the Carleton Place Canadians at Kal Tire Place in Vernon.
Falloon grabbed a loose puck off a faceoff in the Canadians end, powered his way to the front of the net and muscled the puck between the pads of goaltender Kale Thomson. Although Falloon said later that he never saw the puck go in the net. He may not have seen it, but he will always remember it.
Carleton Place looked like it would be them hoisting its first ever national title in its first appearance. The Canadians took a 3-1 lead into the third period and let the lead hold up with less than three minutes left in regulation.
Yorkton had other ideas scoring goals eight seconds apart to tie it at 3-3 and force overtime.
After the teams traded goals in the opening period Carleton Place took over on the scoreboard in the second.
Despite being outshot 12-9 the Canadians would score the only two goals of the middle frame. Stephen Baylis at 4:12 and Andy Sturtz six minutes later gave the Canadians a two goals lead.
It would stand up until late in the third.
This was the first time in 19 years the national Jr A final has needed overtime to decide a winner. It was also the longest of the four overtime games played this week.
Falloon’s first overtime winner came Thursday in a must-win game against Dauphin, MB.
After dropping their first two games of the week long, five-team tournament, the Terriers reeled off four straight wins.
This was the fifth time Yorkton has advance to the RBC Cup.
Their best previous finish was second when they lost to Kyle Turris and the Burnaby Express 8-2 in 2006.
The host Vernon Vipers failed to advance to the championship game losing 6-3 to Yorkton in Saturday’s semi-final.
