Ice Handed a Pair of Losses

Photo Credit: Game Ready Photography

Over the weekend, the Cold Lake Jr. B Ice suffered a pair of losses, Saturday to the Frog Lake T-Bird (5-3) and Sunday to the Lac La Biche Clippers (5-2). “It’s the same things we go over, game after game and guys aren’t doing it,” Head Coach of the Cold Lake Ice, Scott Hood says he’s disappointed with the outcome of the weekend. With zero points coming out of it, the Ice have fallen a place in the standings.

Game 2 vs Frog Lake

On Friday, the club traveled to Frog Lake to take on the number two team in the NEAJBHL, the T-Birds. “They have a highly-skilled team and can put the puck in the net anytime they want,” Head Coach Scott Hood, reflects on the game, “we didn’t come prepared and before we knew it, it was a 3-0 game.”

Frog Lake opened with a strong first period, putting in three unanswered goals. Cody Hodgson with two and Curtis Scales with one. “We battled back though,” coming out in the second the Ice were much stronger, says the coach.  Evan Feehan with help from Steven Kufflick opening the scoring, for the Ice at 3:40 in the second. That was answered by Brennan Grocock, of the T-Birds, Michael Cardinal and Ryder Prue got assists on the goal. It was a 4-1 game after 40 minutes of play.

Cody Hodgson, with his hat trick goal for the T-Birds at 21 seconds into the third had the home town crowd roaring in the stands. It’s a hard barn to play in on the best of nights. The Ice managed to pop two more goals in, first from  Scott Thackeray (assist Jacob Bartman) and second from  Shane Whitney (assist Jonah Henderson). It was a 5-2 final for Frog Lake.

We didn’t shoot the puck enough and that’s been our problem all year. – Scott Hood Head Coach of the Cold Lake Jr. B Ice

Game 2 vs Lac La Biche

“I didn’t see a lot of effort or energy,” the team was behind from the get-go, says Coach Hood, “now we fall behind these guys in the standings.” The Ice are tied, with Lloydminister, for sixth place in the Northeast Alberta Jr B Hockey League (NEAJBHL).

Lac La Biche opened the game with the sole goal in the first, from  Neil Vermillion. The club was behind from there.  Jean-Guy Boisvert waiting until the second to answer the goal, with help from Austin Power and Patrick Kean. That goal was quickly forgotten, when Lac La Biche took control of the second and put up two more goals.

Conner Landry would have the only goal for the Ice in the third, between a Clippers goal sandwich, with the assist going to Jean-Guy Boisvert. The Clippers took the game, 5-2.

“We go in spurts and we play well, then… yah,” Hood says consistency will be the message to the club over the next week as they prepare to face the Clippers again. “We gotta get over it and practice this week; because we’re meeting them again this Friday.” Hood has plans for the boys, “Tuesday’s not going to be fun. They’re not going to like it. We’re going to work hard for an hour and a half.” The players will feel what it really feels like when you take a long shift, says the coach.

 

The Ice will meet the Clippers again on Friday evening at Imperial Oil Place, in Cold Lake, 8:00 pm puck drop. You can catch exclusive game interviews with players and coaches on Lakeland Connect’s Facebook Page, thanks to Original Joe’s & Lake City Coach.