The varsity hockey team got knocked out of playoff contention on Monday night as they suffered a tough 6-5 loss to Hempfield in the last game of the season.

The Highlanders had climbed back to take a 5-4 lead, but Hempfield tied it and then got the game-winner in the closing minutes of the game.

Junior Andrew Golvash had two goals for the Highlanders, while junior Ross Zofcin, senior Dan Figura, and sophomore Jason Kavulic all scored once.

The team was disappointed but they believed they played well, Kavulic said.

“We just couldn’t get any bounces to go our way,” he said.

Although everyone was disappointed after the game, the team did its best to stay positive in the locker room.

“We were having fun because it was the last game for the seniors,” Kavulic said.

Overall, the team grew as the season went on and the returning players are excited for next year, Kavulic said.