The Regina Thunder defeated the rival Saskatoon Hilltops to win the PFC championship, but the trophy was nowhere to be found after the game. The Thunder managed to beat the reigning Canadian Bowl champions three times in one season. Their 44-19 win over the rival Hilltops capped off a dominant Prairie Football Conference (PFC) season for the Thunder - but it wasn’t without some post-game dramatics. The reward in years past for winning the PFC includes hoisting the trophy, and a shot at a national championship. Unfortunately for the Thunder there was no trophy to hoist, as the Hilltops say they forgot to bring it from Saskatoon to Regina’s Leibel Field. The Hilltops held possession of the PFC Championship trophy since their upset title win last year over the Thunder. The team apologized for the trophy’s absence in a statement Monday afternoon. “The Saskatoon Hilltops Football Club would like to extend our heartfelt apologies to the Regina Thunder organization, their players, coaches and fans for failing to bring the PFC Championship Trophy to Sunday’s championship game in Regina,” the statement read. “As the defending champions, it was our responsibility to ensure the trophy was there to be presented to this year’s winner. Unfortunately, we made a mistake, and we are truly sorry.” Hilltops president Stacy Ostertag delivered the trophy to the Thunder president Monday evening. The PFC says the case of the forgotten trophy won’t be able to happen again. Starting next season, all trophies will be required to be handed into the league prior to the first playoff game.
