Hard work paying off for the Ice

The Cold Lake Jr B Ice are starting to see the results of hard work, with success over the weekend. The first came in the Ice’s ability to take the #1 team in the Northeast Alberta Jr B Hockey League (NEAJBHL), the Wainwright Bison, to overtime and the second came with a big 7-3 win over Lloydminster.

Game 1 vs Wainwright

“Our first period, in Wainwright was probably the best period we’ve played all year,” Head Coach, of the Jr B Ice, Scott Hood says even with a short bench the club was able to come together and give the Bisons a tough-go at it. “We took it to them, but just ran out of gas. We have some injuries that make it tough to ice a full squad. We were happy overall with that game.”

The Bisons opened scoring in the game, at 5:04, from Cole Borth. The goal was quickly followed up by three Ice goals; coming in from,  Donavan Bibeau,  Evan Feehan, and  Jonah Henderson. There were no goals in the second, but three back to back goals for the Bisons came in right off the third; two in a row from Zach MacKay and one from  Tanner Fleck. The Ice took it to 12 seconds left in the game for quick-on-his-feet,  Jean-Guy Boisvert to force overtime.

Jean-Guy Boisvert has been putting the pucks in the net for us. He’s probably one of the fastest guys in the league. – Scott Hood, Head Coach Cold Lake Jr B Ice

The Bisons were held off for 1:46 in OT, when a goal came in from  Tanner Fleck. 6-5 overtime decision for the Wainwright Bisons.

Game 2 vs Lloydminster

The Cold Lake Ice lit up the score clock with three unanswered goals in the first period, against the Lloydminster Bandits.  Kole Greenwood,  Jean-Guy Boisvert, and Austin Power recorded goals in the first 20 minutes. The Bandits fired back with three off the start of the second period; however the Ice were able to advance out of the tie, with two goals coming from Coltan Buchta and  Jean-Guy Boisvert. The Ice took a safe lead in the third with two more goals, from  Deni Kantel and  Mitchell Bibeau. The Ice took home two points, with a 7-4 win over the Bandits.

Our goaltender, Nelson Schiiler, has been spectacular! – Scott Hood, Head Coach Cold Lake Jr B Ice

Coach Hood explains the team called up some help from the minors, “we had 14 guys, so we called up five extra midgets and they helped us out over the weekend. We played well, we were tired a bit; but that’s what teams do – they battle through.”

“We’re starting to get some confidence. Not that we played poorly at the start of the year, we just couldn’t get goals. Now, we’ve found our scoring touch and our goal tending has been spectacular. Things are slowly coming together,” Hood says a consistent work ethic is what’s going to take the team up the standings, “we can’t really take any time off. We can’t rest on our one win or two wins, we’ve gotta keep going. We have teams we’re still chasing.”

Guys are there for each other, they’re battling for each other and it’s making the difference. – Scott Hood, Head Coach Cold Lake Jr B Ice

The Ice are home this weekend, Friday against the Vermilion Tigers and Saturday against the St. Paul Canadiens. Win tickets to the games, thanks to Lake City Coach and Original Joes Cold Lake.