Two more wins for the Midget Huskies

Josh Davis

On Saturday October 24, 2015 the Pincher Creek/Crowsnest Pass Midget Huskies took to the ice at Pincher Creek's MCC arena, facing off against Lethbridge’s Hockey Hounds in another Central Alberta Hockey League tiering round game.  It was the Huskies' third game of the season and their first on home ice in Pincher Creek. The Huskies took a little while to hit their stride, but outplayed the Hockey Hounds throughout, earning a wide margin 12-1 victory.  The Huskies won on the road the next day, defeating Picture Butte 5-2.

There were no goals scored in the first half of the first period. Huskies #9 Nic Jordan scored the first goal of the game nearly fourteen minutes in, assisted by #4 Tyson Goodreau. #14 Sabo Brandt of the Huskies scored the next goal, assisted by #11 Jesson Luco. There was seven seconds left in the Hockey Hounds penalty, twenty seconds into the four on four, when the Huskies scored their third and final goal of the period. #15 Levi Anderson put it in the net, assisted by #22 Jason Creighton with 2:03 left in the first period.

Husky Nic Jordan takes a shot

The Hounds made a strong effort in the second period, and took a bunch of shots at the Huskies net, again tended by #33 Jeremy Kretz. Kretz made an impressive save with 6:22 left in the second period. Though neither side scored until near the end of the period, the Huskies were taking a lot more shots at the Hockey Hounds' net. #7 Brett Peters of the Hounds scored their first goal of the game on a power-play with 3:30 left in the second period. He was assisted by #15 Keagan Spetz. Just over a minute later, Creighton scored for the Huskies again, unassisted. Anderson scored his second goal of the game for the Huskies with just a minute left in the period, dashing the Hounds’ hope of a come-back.

Ethan Richards scores for the Huskies

In the third period the Huskies pressed their advantage, making seven goals: two by Anderson, two by #23 Craig Marshall, one by Creighton, one by #20 Keiran Douglas, and one by #19 Ethan Richards. It was a rough period. There were seven penalties in this final period, including 1 ten minute penalty for game misconduct to the Hounds, 1 five minute penalty for checking from behind to the Hounds, 1 four minute penalty to each team for head contact, 2 two minute penalties to the Huskies for roughing, and 1 two minute penalty to the Hounds for the same.

Huskies Head Coach Kent Goodreau said the team played with changes in their line-up during the game, which accounted for the slower than usual start.  “Our defense wanted to play forward, so we moved all of our defense forward. It took them ten minutes get comfortable with their new positions.” The Huskies switched back to their original line-up in the third, to prepare for their game in Picture Butte the next day.

Goodreau said Huskies' teamwork was their greatest strength that evening. “When they work as a team they’re hard to stop.” The Huskies' lineup includes two new players this season, and three veterans retired last season.

“These kids have a lot of fun together,” said Goodreau of the attitude of the team this season. “That’s why they’re a good team. Everybody is friends in there. They help each other out and have a good time together.”

“They’ve got to work on being consistent. We need to put out sixty minutes a game. In their defense, it’s been a long time since they’ve been challenged, so hopefully we’ll get some challenging games this year, and learn to play sixty minutes.”

The Huskies also won their tiering round game in Picture Butte the next day 5-2. Jason Creighton scored two goals in that game.  Ethan Richards, Tyson Goodreau, and #21 Sam Gerrand each scored one. The Huskies are undefeated so far this season.

The Huskies are scheduled to play next on Saturday October 31 at Pincher Creek's Memorial Community Centre Arena, another tiering round game.

Related story:
Midget Huskies begin first CAHL season with two wins

• Click here for more hockey stories