The Port Hope Predators couldn't muster up enough firepower to take the Wellington Dukes to a sixth game in their Ontario Provincial Junior A Hockey League semi-final series.

The Preds lost Games 4 and 5 on the weekend - 5-3 on Friday night and 2-1 on Sunday - to drop the series 4-1.

"We lost four one-goal games (the Dukes' fifth goal Friday was an empty-netter)," said Predators Director of Hockey Operations Tim Clayden. "We lost to a better hockey club, and certainly at times, a hungrier hockey club."

Clayden said players, coaches and management were obviously hoping for a better result, but this year's Predators squad was generally young and inexperienced when faced with the added pressures playoff hockey brings. He said the Preds only had six players with any playoff experience and just two returning players from last year's team that lost to the Bowmanville Eagles in Game 7 of the East Division finals.

"Wellington was expected to win, but losing four one-goal games is still heartbreaking," Clayden added.  He applauded the goaltending of Jeff Potvin, who joined the team in November. Potvin, who has been invited to return next season, kept the games close, while the Preds snipers struggled to find their hands.

"Jeff did his part... we have to score goals to win games," Clayden said.  He said about 80 per cent of the team has been asked to come back next season, while management will look to add two top-notch defencemen and three premiere forwards, which should return the Predators to elite status in the East Division.

"We'll be in very, very good shape now that our kids have some playoff experience. The 'rebuilding' excuse is over with - we intend to put the program back on the map."

Clayden said next year's team will be built in the mould of Assistant Captain Kevin Parker, who voluntarily gave up the captaincy to teammate and league all-star Dan MacIntyre at the start of the year. Clayden said the 'C' will be sewn back onto Parker's jersey next season, his fourth with the team.

"He's not the purest goal scorer or a pure finesse player, but he's definitely the hardest working. We're going to ask the 22 players surrounding him to play hockey like Kevin Parker (next season)."

Clayden said Parker is the perfect leader for his team.  "He leads by example. He's a terrific, real nice young man off the ice and respected by teammates and other players across the league because he works so
hard and hits so clean.  "He earns respect the old-fashioned way by working for it."

Clayden said, despite not reaching the finals, the season was still a success for the Predators, as the players genuinely liked each other, unlike other seasons.

"The players really, really like each other, they get along and are really tight, which makes it more fun for the hockey club. I'm happy with the way the team jelled this season."

Wellington will face the surprising Kingston Voyageurs, who upset the top-ranked Eagles in five games, in the East Division finals.